Why Families Choose Friends: Zaje H. P’27, ’30, ’33

Zaje H. is the Owner and Principal at Conscious Endeavor, LLC, as well as a writer. She serves on the Board of Trustees and is a frequent volunteer at Friends School and in the community. At Friends, she has served on the Parents Association as Volunteer Chair, Board of Trustees Representative, and 11th Grade Co-Chair.

In what ways have you seen your children grow academically at Friends School, and how has the School challenged and supported them to reach their full potential?

Our children have benefited greatly from the academic experience at Friends. We have three very different types of learners. The faculty [here] have been so supportive in meeting their needs and keeping a holistic view of their academic journey. The faculty are also very good at challenging the students to explore learning beyond the classroom. We have found that when one of the children is ready for the next level of challenge, their teachers are right there to offer an opportunity for further growth. On the other hand, when one of our children has needed extra support, there has been that intervention as well. 

I also think that there is a level of both academic exploration and excellence that is expected at Friends. I see my children regularly ready to challenge themselves to learn something new. Students can take a variety of courses, especially as they move into the Upper School. I think this is the reason that so many students at Friends are such integrative thinkers.  

How has the Quaker approach to education, including values like stewardship, reflection, and community, shaped your children’s experience at Friends?

We were familiar with the values of Quaker education before our children were accepted to Friends. I think those values are seen in their basic respect for that of God in everyone and the ability they have to reflect on this during Meeting for Worship. However, one of the ways that I see these values emerge in my children is the sense of responsibility that they have to their community and to other people. This aligns with their sense of stewardship. So, whether it is working on a community service project or supporting one of the teams at a game, there is a sense of community care.  

There is also a sense of care for the larger Baltimore community. My daughter in Upper School is a part of the William Penn Fellows and has done service and court watching through that opportunity. The Quaker belief that there is that of God in everyone is evident in how comfortable our children are in diverse settings, both in and outside of school. 

What opportunities, whether in academics, the arts, athletics, or leadership, has/have your children been able to pursue at Friends that have made an impact?

There are so many opportunities for the students at Friends. I have children who are interested in visual and performing arts and leadership. My daughters are both dancers and have been heavily involved in the excellent dance program here. The showcase recitals are just beautiful. My daughters are also in the orchestra, and our string program is a stunning and superior musical opportunity. 

My son plays in the Lower School band, which has been an amazing experience for him in terms of how his musical ability has developed. He plays the trumpet and baritone. He has also played electric bass and drums for the Lower School Rock Band, which is a fun program for young musicians in the Lower and Middle Schools. 

All three of my children are involved in student leadership in their respective divisions. They have had the opportunity to attend workshops on leadership in a variety of settings, including one using sailing as a leadership development skill. There is a lot of planning and cooperation that goes on in all of the divisions, and these students really work hard to hear and respect each other as they implement their planned activities. 

As both a parent and trustee, what makes you most proud to have your children at Friends School, and why would you recommend it to other families?

We are most proud to have our children at Friends because we can see how this environment has contributed to supporting each of their unique journeys. Friends graduates are some of the best people I know. This community is a place where my children have been both challenged and nurtured. Every year, they have some experience at school– whether it is an outdoor education trip, or a book that they read, or the way that a particular teacher approaches a subject–where we can see their intellectual and character growth. 

Friends is a school that I am proud to support as a parent and trustee, because it has helped my husband and me to get to know our children better. They are students here, but they are respected for their unique journeys, and that is what makes me most proud of this academic community.   

Why do you choose to support Friends School philanthropically, and how do you see your giving making a difference for students and families?

We really believe in supporting institutions that contribute to the greater good. We want to see this place continue to be able to offer every opportunity that it has for our children. We also see financial support as a form of stewardship. My husband and I trust the vision that this school holds to continue producing excellent students who have been impacted by the values of a Quaker education. I see our giving as a marker of our faith in the future of Friends.  

See more about Zaje and her family's experience at Friends here.