Programs
Two rooms, three ages in each
Each room holds three ages together, so a child is the youngest for a year, then the oldest.
Lower elementary
Ages 6 to 9SkillsThe big stories first: the universe, life on Earth, the first people
Counting and the four operations with beads and boards, then on paper
Reading and writing every day, with a guide's help choosing books
Small groups that plan a trip and go out together
Moving upAround age nine, when the guides and the family agree it is time, a child walks next door to the upper room. The two rooms share a yard.
Upper elementary
Ages 9 to 12SkillsLonger research and writing, with a guide's edits
Fractions, geometry and algebra with materials before symbols
Running the class meeting and the care of the room
Trips planned by the children, with a route and a budget of time
Moving upAt twelve, children move on to middle school. In the last year the guides help each family look at the schools nearby.
Sample levels.
The week
Each room, by day
Both rooms keep the same school day. Care before and after is open to children from either room.
| Ages | Adults to children | Class size | School day8:30 am to 3:15 pm5 days | Before care7:45 am to 8:30 am5 days | After care3:15 pm to 5:15 pm5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower elementaryAges 6 to 9 | 1 adult to 11 children | 22 | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Upper elementaryAges 9 to 12 | 1 adult to 11 children | 22 | Offered | Offered | Offered |
Fees and what each is for
- Application
- Covers reading the application and the morning a child spends in the room. Due when a family applies.
- Enrollment
- Holds a place after an offer is accepted. It goes toward tuition.
- Materials and supplies
- The consumables for the year: paper, clay, garden and kitchen supplies. Billed once, in the fall.
- Going-out trips
- Transport and entry for the trips the children plan. Billed after each trip.
- Before and after care
- Billed by the month, for the days a family uses.
The school day ends at the same time every weekday.
Sample programs.
Four threads
What children read, make and practice
A child's year is built from these, in whatever order the work leads.
Reading and writing
Books come from the shelves and the library; the guide keeps a list for each child. Children write most days, from a first paragraph to a long essay.
Math with materials
Children handle beads, boards and cubes before they write the symbols, then move to pencil and paper when they are ready.
The big stories
History, science and geography start with large stories, such as the universe or the first people, and break into questions children follow.
Making and the outdoors
Clay, wood, the garden and the kitchen, with a guide beside the children and a plan for the day.
See a room at work
A visit is a morning in a room and a talk with the head of school.