A history defined by students’ needs
The Quaker School at Horsham has been supporting students who learn differently for decades. This is how it happened, and why.
A different school model from the beginning
How TQS started
TQS was founded in 1982 by George Rowe and Beverly Morgan, who believed that some students were not programmed for, welcomed and appreciated in traditional school environments. At the time, there were few places equipped to accommodate bright students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia.
The school opened in the basement of the Horsham Monthly Meetinghouse with three students, two teachers, and a clear purpose: to create a place where students could be understood, challenged appropriately, and recognized for their strengths. Over the years, the school evolved alongside the needs of its families but remained grounded in that original belief.
What shaped the early school
Guiding Values
Values that have endured
Values that have endured
TQS is rooted in Quaker principles, a tradition that emphasises the dignity and potential of every individual, the importance of honesty, integrity and the value of community. These principles have shaped how the school has grown and how decisions are made, even as programs and approaches have evolved.
At TQS, Quaker values show up in day-to-day practice, in the way students are spoken to, the way differences are respected, and the way challenges are worked through together. It’s not a philosophy on a wall. It’s how the school operates.
TQS Today
Continuing to evolve around students and families
Preparing for the next chapter
Today, TQS serves 110 students ages 5-22, drawing from more than 30 school districts across the region. The school has grown steadily, but intentionally, never beyond the point where each student can be truly known.
The programs have evolved alongside a growing understanding of how students with complex challenges thrive. What hasn’t changed is the commitment to getting it right for each individual child.
This transformation didn't happen by accident. It happened because of small class sizes, customized curriculum, dedicated teachers and staff, and a community that refuses to give up on any child.
Meetinghouse parent
When I reflect on my own child's experience at TQS, I'm overwhelmed by the personalized attention, the dedication of the faculty, and the supportive community that has embraced not just our children but our entire families.
Shannan
Board President and Alumni Parent
Looking ahead
Remaining responsive to changing student needs
Remaining responsive to changing student needs
TQS is committed to continuing to improve, by refining programs, strengthening supports, and staying current with approaches that genuinely help students.
The focus is always on the students in front of us, and on making sure TQS remains a place that families can trust, today and into the future.
Explore what makes TQS different
If you'd like to know more about TQS, we'd love to hear from you.
