List of Schools

BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT | TK–12

3300 Kearney Street, Fremont, California 94538 (TK–Grade 5)
39706 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, California 94539 (Grades 6–12)
(510) 573-3435 (TK–Grade 5)
(510) 738-6003 (Grades 6–9)
fremont.basisindependent.com

BASIS Independent Fremont is a TK–12 private school where students discover their passions as they learn at the highest international levels. The world-acclaimed BASIS Curriculum is a blend of the best practices found in top education systems around the world, led by passionate Subject Expert Teachers who bring classrooms to life and foster a love of learning in every student. The curriculum and teachers unite to empower students’ natural curiosity, ingenuity, and independence from their first day in TK and all the way through senior year.

Students participate in a well-rounded, advanced liberal arts program with STEM offerings that is designed to inspire mastery and excellence across a diverse course load, including Mandarin, engineering, performing arts, physics, economics, chemistry, humanities, and more. BASIS Independent Fremont fosters a joyful learning culture where hard work is celebrated and intellectual pursuits results in extraordinary outcomes.

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BASIS INDEPENDENT SILICON VALLEY | TK–Grade 12

1500 Partridge Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (TK–Grade 5; Coming fall 2022)
1290 Parkmoor Ave San Jose, CA 95126 (Grades 6–12)
(408) 291-0907
siliconvalley.basisindependent.com

At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, a grades 5–12 private school, students perform at the top 1% of their U.S. peers in math, reading, and science. Students and Subject Expert Teachers engage in a spiraling, globally bench-marked curriculum designed to inspire mastery and excellence. Rooted in STEM and the liberal arts, our program calls for the mastery of diverse content across disciplines—from to logic, economics, and concurrent sciences in middle school to college-level capstone courses and independent research in high school.

We believe in setting a higher standard and promoting self-reliance and accountability in an environment where learning is encouraged and celebrated. Our world-class educators are subject experts in their discipline who help students develop the knowledge, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills needed to enter and excel in the world’s top colleges and universities.

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BRENTWOOD SCHOOL

East Campus (Grades 6-12)
100 South Barrington Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90049
310-476-4087

West Campus (Grades K-5)
12001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
310-889-2812

www.bwscampus.com

Brentwood School is an independent K-12 coed day school with two campuses, located four blocks apart on Sunset Boulevard, in the Brentwood neighborhood of West Los Angeles.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
Brentwood School inspires every student to:
Think critically and creatively.
Act ethically.
Shape a future with meaning.

CORE VALUES:
Trust • Respect • Responsibility • Honesty • Caring • Diversity • Community

DIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:
The Brentwood School community actively seeks diverse perspectives and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential. We create an environment that fosters openness and appreciation of multiple dimensions of culture and identity. We aim to engage mindfully in open and frequent dialogues to ensure that each member is valued, included, and respected. Diversity is in the fabric of who we are.

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COW HOLLOW SCHOOL

65 Funston Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129
415-921-2328
www.cowhollowschool.org

Cow Hollow School, a beautiful little school nestled in the Presidio in San Francisco, offers parent participation, part day and summer programs for children ages 2-5.

Our approach to education comes directly from an absolute love of children and childhood. We believe that every child is capable and competent. We observe, document and interpret children’s thinking and learning in order to understand, support and extend the children’s meaning-making experiences.

As a school community we value process, play, inquiry, stewardship for the earth, relationships, and creativity. Within the context of meaningful experiences and reciprocal relationships among participants, it is our goal to inspire dispositions for lifelong learning.

The following principles guide and define our approach to learning and teaching:

• Every child is capable and competent
• Children learn through play, investigation, inquiry and exploration
• Children and adults learn and play in reciprocal relationships with peers, family members, and teachers
• Adults recognize the many ways in which children approach learning and relationships, express themselves, and represent what they are coming to know
• Process is valued, acknowledged, supported, nurtured and studied
• Documentation of learning processes acts as memory, assessment, and advocacy
• The indoor and outdoor environments, and natural spaces, transform, inform, and provoke thinking and learning
• School is a place grounded in the pursuit of social justice, social responsibility, human dignity and respect for all.

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CRESTVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL

140 Foothill Blvd
La Canada, CA 91011
818-952-0925
www.crestviewprep.org

We are a student-centered school with a focus on preserving childhood throughout the elementary educational experience. We offer both nurture and structure, and allow students to feel confident and secure to learn both by solving problems and by actively doing. While teaching methodologies change, and new tools are introduced each year, our approach to educate the whole child with appropriate multi-disciplined strategies remains constant.

This year, we will continue to bridge the learning inside the classroom to our learning spaces around the campus. Our edible garden is one example of science integration into the curriculum. We also expanded our Library/ThinkLab, by installing a green screen for video production and editing and the addition of a 3D printer. e selected this model as it allows younger students to design and build with materials such as Play-Doh, wood, and bamboo, as well as traditional filaments .

For more information and to visit our campus, please go to www.crestviewprep.org and schedule a tour!

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THE CROWDEN SCHOOL

https://www.crowden.org/the-crowden-school

The Crowden School is unlike any other school in the country, a 3rd–8th grade day school with chamber music at its heart. Since 1983, our ensemble-based curriculum has instilled in our students the creative, collaborative, and critical-thinking skills to succeed in life. The study of music alongside a challenging academic curriculum offers our students a unique educational experience with transformative results. In our small classes, you will find students who are actively engaged with learning, whether they are making music or discussing books, solving equations, or playing soccer. The cooperative and emphatic communication skills our students learn while playing music together, and the fun they have in doing it, carries over to all aspects of their lives. Crowden School students are lively, curious, and confident learners. Our alumni are well-rounded leaders, ready to meet the artistic and intellectual challenges of the high school years and beyond—whether they go on to careers in microbiology or music.

For children who love music, Crowden offers a supportive home and community for engaged learning and growth. At The Crowden School, music changes everything.

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EF ACADEMY PASADENA

1539 E Howard St., Pasadena, CA 91104
https://www.efacademy.org/pasadena/
(914) 495-6056

EF Academy's mission is to open the world through education. At our international, private high school welcoming day and boarding students from 75+ countries, students will engage in a learning experience that asks them to explore diverse perspectives through a process of collaboration, analysis and reflection aimed at developing the skills necessary to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing their generation. Here, we foster true global citizenship through our multicultural learning community. Our school promises to provide a superior education, thorough preparation for university, and a future that knows no borders.

Our California campus, EF Academy Pasadena, is located on a brand new 16-acre campus in greater Los Angeles County, 30-minutes from L.A. and is committed to empowering students to become confident, resilient, and responsible global citizens. EF Academy embraces the spirit of collaborative international perspective on a community-focused campus. We offer a range of programs so that all our students master a key set of global competencies in multilingualism, leadership and travel enhanced by a broad array of clubs, activities, and competitions. With 30+ after school clubs and activities, students have the opportunity to discover their true passions.  EF Academy encourages students to develop the confidence and independence that will serve them well in college and the real world after.

EF Academy also has locations in Westchester, New York, and Oxford, England.

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GATEWAY SCHOOL

255 Swift Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
(831) 423-0341
www.gatewaysc.org
admissions@gatewaysc.org
Grades K-8

Gateway School in Santa Cruz, California has provided families with an exceptional educational experience for 50 years. Students and alumni proudly embody the school's values and inspire future generations as Gateway embarks on its next 50 years.

Gateway School is an all gender day school for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th. We are a community dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, high character and personal compassion, and individual agency and engagement.

We invite all families interested in Gateway School to visit, ask questions, and get to know our community! For more information and to schedule a tour, please email our Admissions Manager or visit our website at www.gatewaysc.org.

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GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY

650 254 0748
www.gissv.org
admissions@gissv.org

Mountain View Campus
Preschool - Grade 12
310 Easy Street

San Francisco Campus
Preschool - Grade 8
117 Diamond St. (Castro)

The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) is an independent bilingual immersion school focused on nurturing students using a stimulating project-based learning system that fosters critical, independent, and imaginative thinking.

We feature a strong science program and are a recognized MINT (the German equivalent to STEM) school. Our Teachers are at the heart of the GISSV experience. We pride ourselves in our caring, highly qualified, experienced and international faculty, most of whom have gone through Germany’s rigorous teacher training and holds an advanced German degree (Master's equivalent).

Our unique homeroom teacher system allows students to stay with the same teacher for several years, forging a strong bond, and for students joining us with little or no knowledge of either German or English, we offer individualized language learning support.

GISSV is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and is recognized as the only official German School Abroad (DAS) in California. This enables our students to graduate with dual diplomas, the California High School Diploma, and the German International Abitur offering world-wide opportunities.

Schedule a tour with our Admissions Director and discover more about GISSV.

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THE HARKER SCHOOL

500 Saratoga Ave.
San Jose, CA 95129
408-249-2510
communications@harker.org
www.harker.org

An inspiring and supportive community: The Harker School

The Harker School, established in 1893, is a kindergarten-grade 12 private school in Silicon Valley that has earned international recognition for its top academics, quality teachers and student achievements. Educating more than 2,000 students, Harker is the largest independent school of its kind in California with each division on its own San Jose campus.

Harker blends strong college-prep academics with rich and extensive offerings in STEM, business, athletics and the arts. Harker evaluates the course placement that will best challenge and inspire each student to academic excellence, ensuring a motivating and exciting learning environment. Outstanding faculty, many with advanced degrees, and small class sizes are paramount at Harker. Our comprehensive, innovative curriculum features outstanding teaching techniques, diverse educational experiences and broad rich, extracurricular activities.

Kindness, respect, honesty, integrity and personal accountability have been in the school’s DNA since its founding. Community service, character development curriculum and our honor code all encourage, develop and reinforce these important qualities.

Harker is an inspiring, supportive and lively community where parents, faculty, staff, students and alumni form a close-knit community through events, traditions and our common mission. Our students leave Harker uncommonly prepared for college and ready to make a difference in the world. For more information visit www.harker.org.

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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL

www.headroyce.org

Head-Royce is a nationally recognized K-12 independent school situated in the hills of Oakland, California. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of learning with a focus on scholarship, diversity, and citizenship.

Upon visiting our campus, you will see a dynamic and vibrant learning center in action. From innovation centers, internships, and integrated technology, to life skills classes, service learning, cross-divisional buddies and small advising groups, we are equally dedicated to educational excellence and social-emotional learning.

At our heart, we are a community of passionate educators and learners, all sharing a deep commitment to creating lifelong learners who will be prepared to lead with joy and compassion. Our faculty is world-class, bringing unique perspectives from a wide range of experiences. Their diversity of thought, coupled with their subject matter mastery, uniquely positions them to provide transformative experiences to every student across our K-12 setting. Our families come to us from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and we are proud to reflect the fabric of the Bay Area.

We enroll a diverse student body of approximately 875 talented and ambitious learners. Our admissions are open to all students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnic origin.

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HILLBROOK SCHOOL

300 Marchmont Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 356-6116
admission@hillbrook.org
www.hillbrook.org

Be Kind, Be Curious, Take Risks, Be Your Best: these are the core values of Hillbrook, an independent JK-8 school in the hills of Los Gatos, California—14 rolling acres where students can play, dream, and explore. At Hillbrook, children will find a close, welcoming community of friends, parents, and educators, a place where every child is known, loved, and encouraged to be exactly who they are. In addition to strong academic programs in math, science, the arts, history, languages, and more, Hillbrook students are invited to explore their passions and curiosities, and reach beyond themselves to make a difference. At the The Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship, students are encouraged to transform their ideas into impact, explore their passions and curiosities, and see themselves as part of the world. As a school, we move into the future with intention—diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven into our academic curriculum, preparing students to see the world as it is, imagine what it might be, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build a better future.

To learn more, book a tour, and apply, please visit www.hillbrook.org.

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LIVE OAK SCHOOL

1555 Mariposa Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 861-8840
https://www.liveoaksf.org

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PARK DAY SCHOOL

Oakland, CA
510-653-0317
parkdayschool.org

Park Day School is a progressive K-8 co-ed school located in Oakland, California. Park Day provides a strong academic foundation where students learn by doing and are encouraged to follow their own curiosity.

With a focus on developing intrinsic motivation, Park Day’s robust interdisciplinary academic program includes an emphasis on social justice and social emotional learning. Classes are designed to prepare students to be informed, courageous, and compassionate people who shape a more equitable and sustainable world, while nurturing a love of learning that propels them their entire lives.

Take a virtual tour of campus or sign up to visit Park Day School in person parkdayschool.org.

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PILGRIM SCHOOL

540 So. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020
213-385-7351
www.pilgrim-school.org
Early Education- 12th Grade

Located between Downtown LA and Hancock Park on the corner of 6th and Commonwealth, Pilgrim School was established in 1958.

Pilgrim’s close knit community includes students in toddler, preschool and junior kindergarten programs, elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12). Small class sizes ensure that every student receives the individual attention she or he requires throughout their education, including invaluable personal guidance through the complex college admissions process. In addition, Pilgrim has Mayflower House, a dormitory for high school students (both domestic and international).

Visitors notice the beauty of the historic campus, but also the poise and friendliness of the students, and the genuine sense of community and warmth. An integral part of the school’s identity is that the Pilgrim community is made up of a vibrant range of families and students who mirror the ethnic, family profile and socioeconomic mix that defines Los Angeles.

Pilgrim School provides a personalized education in a nurturing environment based on a “no cut/everybody plays” model in the arts, academics, physical and outdoor education. Pilgrim offers both before-and after-school care and enrichment programs, a wonderful convenience for parents that also offers students the opportunity to participate in additional organized activities.

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Stratford School - When Students are Inspired by a Robust Curriculum…The Extraordinary Happens!

STRATFORD SCHOOL

Campuses Located Throughout Northern and Southern California
Find out more @ www.stratfordschools.com

Stratford School provides an unparalleled education where children are inspired to be creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators and insightful, confident leaders. These 21st-century qualities provide children with the knowledge, confidence, and ingenuity to help them excel in future careers. Stratford’s accelerated curriculum from Preschool through 8th Grade emphasizes STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) while incorporating music, physical education, foreign language, and social skills development.

By combining a safe and nurturing learning environment, Stratford teachers ensure a stimulating and well-rounded program while cultivating a child’s natural joy of learning. All students are encouraged to participate actively in leadership, community service, and extracurricular activities. Stratford’s goal is to prepare and mentor students for admission to competitive high schools and colleges.

Personalized tours can be scheduled by appointment and students are welcomed to enroll throughout the school year, as long as there is space available in the desire program and the child is grade-level ready. Find our more at www.stratfordschools.com and discover a school where the extraordinary happens.

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SYNERGY SCHOOL

1387 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.synergyschool.org

Synergy School is a progressive, independent TK-8 school located in San Francisco’s Mission District. For nearly 50 years, our mission has been to nurture the intellectual, creative, and emotional potential of every child in a community dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

From the beginning, we have had a deep commitment to recognize and honor differences within our community and the world at large. We encourage our students to develop their voices and to have agency to affect change, to advocate, and to act as allies against racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, and intolerance.

We work toward these goals by creating a safe space in our school, presenting multiple points of views in our teaching and curriculum, as well as building a community that reflects the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of San Francisco.

We affirm the necessity of engaging in ongoing work to create and sustain a socially just, equitable environment that actively works against all forms of bias and racism.

We invite you to learn more about us, our approach to education, and to sign up for a tour, visit www.synergyschool.org.

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TOWN SCHOOL FOR BOYS

2750 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-3747
www.townschool.com
K - 8th grade

Town School for Boys is a K-8 all boys' independent day school located in San Francisco, CA. Student enrollment is approximately 400 and our student : teacher ratio is 11:1. Our fundamental goal is for each boy to be engaged in an environment that weaves together collaboration, critical thinking, integrity, empathy, and creativity. These broad skills, as well as a firm grounding in core academic competencies, offer boys an excellent preparation for their further education. We promote social and emotional learning as a foundation of academic excellence and self-discovery. We prepare students to meet challenges in the world by helping them develop an appreciation for a variety of perspectives from the local to the global. We celebrate diversity by fostering a community of learners built on mutual respect. Learning experiences are inclusive, relevant, flexible, innovative, and adapted to reflect the needs of all kinds of learners. In our joyful, active, and collaborative school, boys flourish.

To find out more, visit our website at www.townschool.com.

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WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL

https://wns-la.org

WNS, a preschool – 8th grade private independent school located in Los Angeles, embraces a positive, child-centered approach to education that strives to fully develop the potential of each student intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our high academic and ethical standards encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and their behavior. Propelled by curiosity, WNS students are learners, doers, and makers. We provide students with a platform to become entrepreneurs by nurturing their intrinsic ability to innovate. Our program is designed to engage students in a project-based, active-learning curriculum that challenges all students to grow. We provide an environment steeped in a growth mindset where each child is able to experience success, embrace mistakes as a part of the journey, is confident in taking intellectual risks, and where individuals feel valued in their differences and value the differences in others.

We strive to be a community of lifelong learners, where academic excellence, creativity, sense of humor, independence, self-discipline, and high moral standards are valued.

For more information about WNS, please visit wns-la.org or contact by phone: 310-574-8650 or Email: admissions@wns-la.org.

BAKER DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL

201 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL 60091
847-425-5800
www.bakerdemschool.org
Preschool – 8th grade

AN EDUCATION THAT PUTS CHILDREN IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT. Our child-centered approach to learning ensures that each child, from preschool to middle school, is uniquely valued, supported and nurtured throughout their educational journey — creating expressive, compassionate students that are eager to help shape the world. Located on the border of Evanston and Wilmette, Baker Demonstration School is nationally recognized for excellence in progressive education.

Learn more about Baker and arrange an admissions chat by visiting www.bakerdemschool.org.

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BENNETT DAY SCHOOL

955 W. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
312-236-6388
www.bennettday.org

Bennett Day School is an independent, PK-12 school in Chicago that is committed to advancing creativity, innovation, and the development of lifelong learners and leaders. At Bennett, students learn by doing through dynamic project-based learning (PBL) experiences. Our mission is to provide a collaborative culture that nurtures our innate sense of inquiry and curiosity.

Our teachers don’t see students as empty vessels waiting to be filled with information, but rather thinkers, doers, and inventors who are co-collaborators in the learning process. Bennett Day School’s emergent and responsive curriculum empowers students to be curious, think critically, and take ownership of their education. Small class sizes ensure every child’s voice is heard and valued.

NOW ENROLLING! Register for an Open House or schedule an admissions chat: https://bennettday.org/visitus/

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UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LABORATORY SCHOOLS

1362 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-702-9451
admissions@ucls.uchicago.edu

Because the Laboratory Schools are part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses everything we do across all aspects of our curriculum. We wouldn’t expect anything less from a school that exists in the heart of a research-based university.

The Laboratory Schools are home to the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community. We ignite and nurture an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence. We value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness,
and honoring diversity.

Founded by distinguished educator John Dewey in 1896 and located in Hyde Park, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools are a nursery through grade 12 college preparatory school that is among the nation’s best.

Learn more about our admissions process at ucls.uchicago.edu/admissions.

Learn more about our academic programs at ucls.uchicago.edu/program.

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URBAN PRAIRIE WALDORF SCHOOL

https://www.urbanprairie.org

SCATTERGOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL

1951 Delta Avenue
West Branch Iowa 52358
scattergood.org | (319) 519-1860

Scattergood Friends School is a brave space, an all-gender, inclusive, small school with small classes. Scattergood is a place where you can be who you are.

Located just 15 minutes from bustling Iowa City and three hours from Chicago on a 126-acre organic farm, Scattergood is an independent boarding and day school for grades 6-12 founded in 1890 (boarding for grades 9-12 only). Committed to environmental education and stewardship, students take college-preparatory courses with experiential, hands-on learning, and more individualized, self-reflective assessment, utilizing the school’s farm, pond, and restored prairie as outdoor classrooms. All students must be accepted to a four-year college to graduate.

Scattergood students come from all over the United States and around the globe. Staff and students work together to care for our home, from gathering produce to preparing our meals to keeping campus grounds pristine. Instilled with the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship- and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion- Scattergood students are set to grow not just academically, but to thrive personally, with many adventures along their dynamic journey.

To learn more about this safe, inclusive, affordable, and open-minded day and boarding school, contact admissions@scattergood.org.

BARRIE SCHOOL

13500 Layhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
John Wilson
Director of Admission
admission@barrie.org
301-576-2800
www.barrie.org

Barrie School is a progressive independent school, serving students from 12 months to Grade 12, that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. Our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (12 months to Grade 5) to Project-Based Learning (Grade 6 to Grade 12)—cultivates learning that lasts, offering challenging educational experiences that unlock intrinsic motivation and innovation in both students and faculty.

Our community fosters a deep sense of belonging and empowers and honors student voice and responsibility, coming together in our truly diverse student body of engaged citizens confident to be themselves, bringing diverse and inclusive worldviews. Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, Barrie School provides an extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national, and global educational
opportunities. Our 45-acre campus is home to the world-renowned Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies— one of the largest school-based teacher training programs in the country— and Barrie Camp, a Washington, D.C. area tradition since the 1950s.

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McDONOGH SCHOOL

Owings Mills, Maryland
https://www.mcdonogh.org

McDonogh is a welcoming community dedicated to providing a learning environment based on mutual respect, understanding, and kindness. It is a place where joy is ever-present and opportunities abound for deep thinking, innovating, collaborating, and discovering passions. Under the guidance of talented and caring teachers, students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade are empowered to be self-reliant, critical thinkers who can form, test, and revise their ideas—for themselves, and in the service of others.

In addition to state-of-the-art academic, art, and athletic facilities, McDonogh’s 800-acre campus provides countless opportunities for exploration. Learning also takes place at Roots, the school’s 10-acre farm, where students care for chickens, tend crops, and harvest produce for the dining hall and local food pantries.

With a fleet of 27 buses that make stops in Baltimore City and surrounding counties, McDonogh is right around the corner! Upper School students also have the option of participating in our five-day boarding program that allows them to live on campus during the school week and become further immersed in campus life.

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THE NORA SCHOOL

955 Sligo Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Marcia Miller
Director of Admissions
Marcia@nora-school.org
301-495-6672
http://www.nora-school.org

Think differently. At The Nora School, these are words we take to heart. This intentionally small, inclusive, and personal college preparatory high school works to bring out the best in bright students with ADHD, executive function issues, or anxiety – and for those simply wanting something more individualized. Students turn to us because they’ve become frustrated in large, impersonal institutions, while others seek a richer, more engaging education without the emphasis on standardized testing. In our discussion-based classrooms, we inspire a critical world view, and students find their voice in an intellectually rigorous, accepting, nurturing environment. With a thought-provoking curriculum, inclusive sports and arts programs, Intersession, mindfulness and more, The Nora School helps students find their unique paths and prepare for college, work, and life. Building deep connections between the faculty and students, we encourage responsibility and build confidence and excitement about learning.

We’ve expanded, offering more curriculum choices and openings for more students! Discover the essence of our school. Call us to find out more, or RSVP for an Open House. Come see how our students thrive. Celebrating the same mission for over 50 years. Think Differently.

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NORWOOD SCHOOL

https://www.norwoodschool.org

Located in Bethesda, MD, Norwood School develops students in grades PK-8 into confident lifelong learners who have the academic, character, and leadership skills to succeed in high school and beyond. Recognizing that children are multi-faceted, Norwood provides many opportunities for safe risk-taking, exploration, discovery, and growth in a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive school community.

CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL

5 Cadbury Rd
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-388
https://www.cfsmass.org

Cambridge Friends School is a co-ed elementary and middle school (pre-K - grade 8) established in 1961 under the care of Friends Meeting at Cambridge, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

It is the mission of Cambridge Friends School to provide an outstanding education. Guided by Quaker principles, we engage students in meaningful academic learning within a caring community strongly committed to social justice. We expect all students to develop their intellectual, physical, creative, and spiritual potential and, through the example of their lives, to challenge oppression and to contribute to justice and understanding in the world.

As part of Cambridge Friends School's commitment to social justice, we are engaged in building an antiracist, antihomophobic community, and we actively seek students and staff from a diverse range of family structures and racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. Our community tries to go beyond mere tolerance to more deeply address issues of bias and privilege.

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CAMBRIDGE-ELLIS SCHOOL

80 Trowbridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
www.cambridge-ellis.org

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THE CENTER SCHOOL

www.CenterSchool.net

The Center School is a progressive, independent day school in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. Since 1981, the Center School has been the ideal solution for families who are seeking an alternative to institutionalized learning, one that provides a solid educational foundation. Through meaningful projects and deep and lively discussions, we foster and support each child’s indomitable intellectual curiosity and self-confidence. Our classrooms buzz with problem solving, creativity and compassionate citizenship. The Center School weaves each individual’s thread into a beautiful, integrated community. Serving students 18 months to 8th Grade. Visit www.CenterSchool.net for more information.

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DEDHAM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

www.DedhamCountryDay.org
781-329-0850

At DCD, we believe that balance matters—in learning and life. We combine academic challenge with support; pedagogical tradition with innovation. Strong scholastics combined with outstanding arts and athletics create a program that is balanced and whole. Here, a premium is placed on both academic and emotional intelligence. Children learn who they are as diverse individuals and how to be part of something bigger. Acceptance is a given, and children find encouragement in every connection they make. It’s a community that nurtures, nudges, and gives. That’s how we grow “whole” children—and, ultimately, adults who will thrive with the intellectual and emotional capacity to contribute to their world and enjoy meaningful lives.

While our “campus and classrooms” may look a bit different this year as we’ve reconfigured our school to maintain the health and safety of our community, our ability to deliver an education that is challenging, inclusive, and engaging, reflective of our mission, remains unchanged. From Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8, DCD students tackle hands-on projects, collaborate, take risks, solve problems—and, most of all, enjoy and engage deeply in their experience.

Explore DCD through a series of virtual admissions events and personal connections with our admissions staff. An up-to-date schedule will be available on our website in September.

Far Brook School

52 Great Hills Road
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973-379-3442
www.farbrook.org
Emi Ithen Director of Enrollment Management
admissions@farbrook.org

Discover an inspired education at Far Brook School, an independent, coeducational day school for 220 students from Nursery through Eighth Grade in Short Hills, NJ. Our progressive approach builds a strong educational foundation, integrating liberal arts and sciences with the skills and habits of mind needed for success in high school and life. Classrooms open to the outdoors, encouraging exploration with nature and our Schoolyard Wetlands Habitat. Each Far Brook student is honored as an important part of our inclusive and diverse community, and develops self-assurance, intrinsic motivation, a sense of social justice, and leadership skills. Far Brook graduates attend local independent and public high schools as well as prestigious boarding schools around the country. It is our desire to touch the lives of children so that they may live life wisely and with great joy. Visit our beautiful 9-acre campus and discover if Far Brook is a good fit for your child. www.farbrook.org.

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Montclair Cooperative School

65 Chestnut Street Montclair, NJ 07044
973-783-4955
www.montclaircoop.org
Marissa Hairston, Director of Enrollment Management
admissions@montclaircoop.org

About Montclair Cooperative School:

From early ages through 8th grade, the Co-op keeps children at the center of school life, engages parents in their children’s education, safeguards play and childhood, allows for exploration, and supports students towards their own personal excellence. Since 1963, the heart of our progressive approach is the belief that children thrive in an environment that honors individuality and community, self and others.The unique value of a cooperative school lies in the partnership between students, families, and teachers, contributing to the life of the school in ways that benefit all who enter.

Visit Montclair Cooperative School:

Start the conversation by visiting our website, joining us for a virtual information session or an in-person open house. We look forward to telling you more about our diverse, inclusive community of families and our engaging, progressive academic programs.

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PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL

650 Great Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.pds.org

The region’s top-tier, independent day school offers PreK-Grade 12 co-ed learning experience on a 106-acre campus five minutes from downtown Princeton. Student-led leadership and a demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion practices fuel our mission to nurture the mind, body and character of each student. Depth of learning, skills acquisition and innovative problem-solving define our expertly facilitated STEAM, arts and humanities programs, sports and extracurriculars. LEED-certified 30,000+ sq. ft. new athletic center, REx science independent study program, top Model UN, Energy & Climate Scholars, Jacobson Music Scholars program and more. See pds.org/admission.

THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL

610-525-8400
www.agnesirwin.org

The Agnes Irwin School is a nationally recognized all-girls' independent college preparatory school for PreK-Grade 12 that has provided outstanding liberal arts education since 1869. We offer a rigorous academic program, coupled with competitive sports and diverse visual and performing arts, and combine current educational thinking with well-established teaching practices that serve girls best.

Agnes Irwin is a place where students take chances, discover their strengths, and excel across a wide range of academic subjects, athletic endeavors and extracurricular pursuits. We’re a place that’s small enough to feel like a real community, but big enough to inspire a sense of adventure. A place where girls are confident, engaged and excited about what lies ahead.

Our girls not only embrace learning, they immerse themselves in it. Whether bringing original ideas to life in the Kindergarten Invention Convention, designing unique civilizations during Culture Week in Middle School, or delivering a powerful speech in Senior Assembly, our girls eagerly embrace challenges, freely speak their minds, and learn to follow their curiosity wherever it leads – which might be somewhere completely unexpected. With top-notch educators and a diverse 660+ student body, The Agnes Irwin School empowers girls to learn, to lead, and to live a legacy. Find out more! Visit www.agnesirwin.org.

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THE CREFELD SCHOOL

8836 Crefeld Street
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-242-5545
www.crefeld.org
7th - 12th grade

A gender inclusive school, serving students in grades 7 through 12, The Crefeld School's mission is to graduate self-aware, empathetic, lifelong learners, who possess an appreciation for diverse perspectives, their role in society, and their ability to act as agents of change. Located in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Crefeld provides an intentionally different college preparatory program to help students become their best selves.

Values

• Trust-based system: ​Everyone at Crefeld is a member of the community. As members of this community, trust is essential to our functioning.

• Commitment to social justice: ​We believe it is our responsibility to do what we can to eliminate bias based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, political affiliation, national origin, or disability.

• Diversity, equity and inclusion: ​Crefeld is committed to building a culture that respects and embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are critical for advancing knowledge, sparking innovation, and creating sustainable communities.

• Strength-based approach: ​At Crefeld, we celebrate what students do well every day and help develop compensation strategies for areas of growth.

• Embrace individuality: ​Through the advisory system, each student is recognized as an individual and has a well-supported designated advocate monitoring their education at Crefeld.

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LANSDOWNE FRIENDS SCHOOL

110 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050
610-623-2548
www.lansdownefriendsschool.org
Pre-K through 6th grade

Lansdowne Friends School (Pre-K through 6th grade), located fifteen minutes from University City, engages children as they develop academically, socially and spiritually. Grounded in Quaker values, our challenging program builds on the natural curiosity our children have for their immediate surroundings. Our green campus within the walkable community of Lansdowne supports the exploration of our students’ ever-changing world. Our goals for children include growth in academic skills; cultivation of an inner discipline and a strong sense of self and community; enjoyment of learning; and development of respect, compassion and care for others.

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THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL

Philadelphia, PA
215-545-5323
http://www.tpschool.org

The Philadelphia School educates children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape. Learn here. Go anywhere.

The Philadelphia School’s progressive approach to learning and teaching has deep thinking, innovation, and agency as its guiding values. We encourage children to explore and push the boundaries of possibility to fulfill their intellectual, social, and civic potential. We approach learning through inquiry, projects, and community. Core values and new research inform the school’s program and pedagogical practices. Our interdisciplinary, theme-based approach prepares students to build a stronger and more inclusive school, community, and society for today and tomorrow.

As an urban, preschool–8th grade school, we address specifically how young students develop intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, and physically. Through our commitment to diversity, we seek to nurture each student’s moral compass, sense of personal integrity, and respect for individuality. Learning in the city, country, and classroom affirms our founders’ goal of educating children to become responsible and active stewards of the urban and natural environments.

BASIS INDEPENDENT MCLEAN | Age 2–Grade 12

8000 Jones Branch Dr.
McLean, Virginia 22102
(703) 854-1253
mclean.basisindependent.com

BASIS Independent McLean is an age 2–grade 12 private school in Northern Virginia that is educating tomorrow’s artists, engineers, scientists, and leaders. The world-acclaimed BASIS Curriculum is bench-marked to the highest international levels, featuring unique courses in STEM, Mandarin, logic, humanities, economics, and more. Subject Expert Teachers lead each subject area—with a two-teacher model in the Early Learning and Primary Programs that supports differentiation—who encourage students to take risks academically while providing consistent, individualized support.

Students and teachers alike center themselves around their school values: show respect, take responsibility, and make improvements. These ensure students build the empathy, independence, and confidence to take control of their education while also learning to be a good friend. At BASIS Independent McLean, students ultimately learn become active participants—not spectators—in their school and larger community.

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ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES SCHOOL

www.sssas.org

St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School is a college preparatory Episcopal Church School in the Diocese of Virginia that educates boys and girls from ages 3 through grade 12. SSSAS serves students from across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We have three distinct campuses, each uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the students within. 

We live our mission every single day. To help our students succeed in a complex and changing world, we seek to inspire a passion for learning, an enthusiasm for athletic and artistic endeavor, a striving for excellence, a celebration of diversity, and a commitment to service. Our mission is to pursue goodness as well as knowledge and to honor the unique value of each of our members as a child of God in a caring community.

Our students are respected and celebrated for their gifts and talents. Through all the learning, exploring, and dreaming big, students develop a confidence in themselves because they are known, supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed. The opportunities are endless, and the relationships last a lifetime.

Every aspect of your school experience contributes an essential ingredient to who you will become. As you consider what you want in a school, keep these points in mind:

• Values that affirm the worth of each member of the school community create the conditions for your success.
• Teachers who nurture your curiosity inspire you to realize your academic best.
• Hands-on learning experiences, whether field trips, service projects, or cross-cultural travel build your understanding of the wider world.
• Opportunities for you to innovate stimulate your imagination and creativity.
• Clubs, activities, and athletics are proving grounds for building friendships, developing leadership skills, and shaping your character.
• A school with a well-defined sense of purpose will help you to define yourself to BECOME READY.

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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL

3819 Gallows Road
Annandale, VA
(703) 256-3620
www.westminsterschool.com

Westminster School provides to students in preschool-8th grade a well-rounded education steeped in the classics, whose fundamental goals are a disciplined and well-informed mind, strength of character, dedication to learning, generosity of spirit, creativity, and joy in the possibilities of life. Accelerated curriculum includes the core subjects, as well as Junior Great Books, French, Latin, Art, Music, Penmanship, Drama, Dance, and daily PE.  Extracurricular activities such as sports, chorus, orchestra, chess, French club, Builder’s Club, MathCounts, and multiple field trips per year enhance students’ rich experience.  Extended care, door-to-door bus service, enrichment classes, and camp programs are also available.

Call us today to schedule a virtual tour or register for one of our upcoming virtual Open Houses on October 26 or December 14, 2021!

BASIS INDEPENDENT BELLEVUE | Grades 3–7 (Coming fall 2022)

15749 NE 4th St., Bellevue, WA 98008
(425) 229-1277
bellevue.basisindependent.com

BASIS Independent Bellevue is changing the face of private school education! Opening fall 2022, Bellevue families will discover a learning community where intellectual curiosity drives student success, where interdisciplinary instruction meets experiential learning, and where students are inspired to learn at the highest international levels. Students will engage in a content-rich curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and STEM—including Mandarin, art, humanities, advanced mathematics, and more—all led by Subject Expert Teachers who empower students’ full potential. The BASIS Curriculum combines top education practices from around the world, and is designed to ensure students gain the content knowledge, critical thinking skills, and independence needed to succeed.

The school will open with grades 3–7 to start, with plans to expand to a full middle and high school.

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL

2812 116th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004
www.thelittleschool.org/explore
425-827-8708
Preschool-5th Grade

At The Little School, we cultivate curiosity, creativity and joy. We offer an innovative, project-based program informed by over 60 years of experience.

• Preschool through fifth grade in Bellevue, WA
• 12.5-acre campus for investigation and discovery
• Blended indoor/outdoor learning
• Small student-to-teacher ratio

Students are known by our whole community, allowing them to develop strong relationships with adults and peers through collaboration and play. We invite you to do a virtual tour of The Little School schedule a visit to our campus on Ravenna, our online application portal. Have questions? Email us at admissions@thelitthelschool.org.

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THE MERIDIAN SCHOOL

4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 242
Seattle, WA 98103
206-632-7154
www.meridianschool.edu

The Meridian School is an independent, K-5 school (200 students) committed to shaping globally responsible citizens who are empowered to inquire, investigate, innovate and impact their communities. Guided by a belief in the power of a wide range of human potential, we approach each child’s learning flexibly and responsively. Our inclusive approach serves a diverse community of learners through a combination of instructional differentiation and small group intervention or extension. Our unique location in Wallingford’s historic Good Shepherd Center situates us in an 11-acre park and surrounds us with nonprofit organizations such as the Tilth Alliance, Washington Green Schools and the Wallingford Senior Center. Academics take place inside the classroom and out in the park, and lessons in community begin by simply walking in the door.

Our Mission: The Meridian School promotes a balance of mind and heart, of contemplation and action, of individuality and a commitment to the community.

Our Beliefs:

Curriculum should challenge, engage and inspire students. At Meridian, we provide an excellent academic education in which the joy of childhood infuses the excitement of learning.

Character is built upon integrity, compassion, and responsibility. At Meridian, students are guided toward self-discipline and thoughtful decisions, mindful of themselves, others and their environment.

Community is the heart of a school. At Meridian, all students, staff and families are known and valued. We strive to create an equitable and inclusive culture. Our connections are strengthened through close student-teacher relationships, strong parent involvement, and active engagement with our local and global communities.

Programmatic Highlights: A learning approach that is flexible, responsive and customized, Place-based Education, Service Learning, Global Competency.

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PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL

660 South Dearborn St.
Seattle, WA 98134
206-324-4350
www.pscs.org

6th – 12th grade

"Puget Sound Community School: Celebrating 28 years helping kids turn passion into achievement.

PSCS is a community oriented middle and high school whose first focus is not limited to an academic program, but is to recognize the full range of human development. PSCS provides a safe, loving, nurturing environment in which the curriculum is based on responsibility and the goal for graduates is maturity. The school is dedicated to surrounding all students with talented people of high character who help them find out what they’re passionate about, and then help them DO something with that passion.

PSCS’ academic program is delivered to students by a highly committed teaching staff and a network of volunteers and is a natural by-product of a compassionate environment. The program is gleaned from a philosophy grounded in first-hand observation of how kids learn and grow. PSCS asks students to dedicate themselves to three simple core commitments: Practice Integrity. Engage the Community. Act with Courage

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SOUNDVIEW SCHOOL

6515 196th St. SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 778-8572
www.soundview.org

Every child deserves a school that is ethical, rigorous, and compassionate.

Last March, Soundview launched an online alternative to our bricks-and-mortar campus: Soundview VS.

Soundview VS is a seamless extension of the educational environment that Soundview School provides on its regular campus.

Soundview VS is a structured educational environment with daily interaction between the same instructors students had on the bricks-and-mortar campus.

• Every parent and student has full access to teachers, Soundview administration, and the Soundview staff counselor.
• Every child receives individual support through Soundview VS daily.
• Soundview VS and its curriculum are fully accredited by the State of Washington.
• Instruction is equal to what we provide on our bricks-and-mortar campus.
• The education our students receive is fully recognized by Soundview’s regional, national, and international affiliates.

This is a difficult time for all of us. COVID-19 has has made our lives extremely complicated, partly because the circumstances change on a weekly basis. Soundview School wants you to know that we are doing everything we can to provide stability for our students and their families. We begin with the classroom.

Your communication is always welcome. Our head of school, Chris Watson, can be reached at cwatson@soundview.org or at (425) 778-8572.

Soundview: an International Baccalaureate School | www.soundview.org | 6515 196th Street SW | Lynnwood, WA 98036 | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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UNIVERSITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL

5062 9th Avenue Northeast
Seattle, WA
http://www.ucds.org

Since the inception of UCDS in 1911 on the University of Washington campus, our teachers have assumed the role of educational researchers as they designed, implemented and evaluated our programs. Today, as a professional practice school, UCDS is engaged in ongoing educational reform. Our school is a dynamic learning environment for teachers as we work together to understand and inspire each child that we serve. Like our students, teachers at UCDS collaborate with colleagues and support each other professionally. Each faculty member brings different expertise and experience, enriching the learning environment.

UCDS builds a strong community between students, teachers, staff, parents, Board of Trustees and neighborhood. Civic responsibility is central to the ethos of our school. Students are responsible for sharing their knowledge and talent in a way that enriches the rest of the community.

We teach children to listen carefully to others, to help one another, to share what they have learned, to coach one another, to participate in group discussions, and to develop areas of expertise where a child can assume leadership. We believe that developing tolerance for different points of view and empathy for the needs of others is essential to the moral development of a child.

BEAUVOIR, THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

202-537-6493
www.beauvoirschool.org

Beauvoir, located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, is a coeducational independent elementary school that serves approximately 400 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade. Beauvoir’s mission is to provide an extraordinary early childhood education in a diverse community that values every individual. Its program encourages creative, courageous learners and builds an enduring foundation for a lifelong spirit of inquiry and joy in learning. As an Episcopal School, Beauvoir welcomes students and families of all faiths and backgrounds to celebrate their individual stories and collective experiences. The School aligns its practices and decisions with its goal to be a child-centered, safe and deeply engaged learning community.

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LOWELL SCHOOL

1640 Kalmia Rd. NW
Washington DC 20012
www.lowellschool.org

Founded in 1965, Lowell School is a progressive co-ed PK-8th grade school located in Washington, DC. Our beautiful eight-acre campus is conveniently located next to historic Rock Creek Park, and includes a Pre-Primary, Primary and Middle School, as well as several playgrounds, sports areas, and outdoor learning spaces, as well as a creek.

Lowell teaches children to fully embrace the humanity, dignity, and individuality of all people, so that they may serve now and in the future as agents of change in a world that continually struggles with inclusion and equity.

We promote active, collaborative learning, with an emphasis on building conceptual understanding and developing strong creative, critical, and analytical thinking. Carefully designed learning experiences and curricula are integrated across subjects, draw on powerful, relevant content and student interests, and support the development of internal motivation and a strong voice. Thinking is emphasized over rote learning, and students are expected to use their knowledge and skills creatively and practically.

Our faculty and staff honor the individuality of each child, give them time and space to grow, and nurture their strengths. A fundamental understanding of the developmental stages of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth informs all that we do. This approach provides the foundation for children to become highly motivated learners with a strong sense of self-worth and efficacy.

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ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL

www.stjohnsdc.org
3240 O Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-338-2574

St. John’s Preschool is made up of three classrooms with a total enrollment of 46 children, ages 2.5-5 years old. St. John’s is located in the heart of Georgetown, Washington, DC. The classrooms have adjacent studios for ongoing project work and investigations, and the faculty is grouped into co-teaching teams. Children may arrive early to participate in the Early Birds program, which begins at 8:00 AM, or stay for the afternoon Kids’ Workshop between 12:30 until 3:00 PM. Under the direction of St. John’s staff, these mixed age group auxiliary programs offer a rich extension of our philosophy. Children participating in the afternoon Kids’ Workshop bring lunch from home and enjoy time in the outdoor classroom.

St. John’s Preschool is inspired by the Municipal Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers of Reggio Emilia, Italy, which provide the philosophical foundation for our values and actions. Our launching point is the belief that all children are competent, capable, and intelligent.