List of Schools
Welcome to Gay Parent Magazine's listing of infant classes, preschools, and private day and boarding schools. Select the state for the schools in your area.
ALTA VISTA SCHOOL
San Francisco, CA
www.altavistaschool.org
Grades: Junior Kindergarten – 8th
Alta Vista School provides a dynamic, hands-on educational experience designed to ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking. With a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and social-emotional learning, students build a strong academic foundation while being encouraged to explore their passions and engage with the community and environment.
Learn more: www.altavistaschool.org.
AURORA SCHOOL
Aurora School’s mission is to nurture children’s love of learning by cultivating academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and social engagement.
Aurora’s teachers foster academic strength and problem-solving skills with a focus on social justice. Social/Emotional Learning is essential to our curriculum, with an emphasis on self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Our community of students, parents and staff practice empathy, kindness, and inclusivity, and move through the world with positive intention.
Our most unique trait is our multi-grade classrooms, where students in grades K/1, 2/3, 4/5 and Middle School share learning spaces. Older students have the opportunity to mentor younger students, who become mentors themselves the next year, forming friendships beyond their age groups, and supporting learning at all levels.
If you’d like to learn more about Aurora School, visit auroraschool.org or contact admissions@auroraschool.org to schedule an information session or campus tour.
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.
THE CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION
http://www.centerforearlyeducation.org
563 North Alfred Street
West Hollywood, CA 90048
323-651-0707
The Center for Early Education is an independent, coeducational day school in West Hollywood, California serving approximately 538 students in its Toddler through Sixth Grade programs.
The school was founded in 1939 by a group of parents who were inspired by the belief that children’s social and emotional development are as important as their academic growth. Today The Center is a nationally renowned, innovative Early Childhood and Elementary school that combines a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with an increasingly challenging academic program that addresses the developmental needs of each child.
Centrally located in the vibrant city of West Hollywood, the school’s urban campus houses state of the art facilities, including an Innovation Center, science labs, a 23,000 volume library, art studios, music rooms, gymnasiums, and developmentally appropriate ground level and rooftop playgrounds.
With its ongoing commitment to diversity, the school welcomes families from all over the city of Los Angeles who represent a wide range of diversity in all its forms; racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and family makeup, among others. These families are united by their belief in our core values of caring, responsibility, inclusion, and honesty.
Application information can be found on our website at www.CenterForEarlyEducation.org.
CRESTVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL
140 Foothill Blvd
La Canada, CA 91011
818-952-0925
www.crestviewprep.org
At Crestview, we believe that childhood is extraordinary. It’s a time when social and emotional well-being lays the foundation for future success. Serving children from transitional kindergarten to sixth grade, our warm learning community ensures that each child feels safe, supported, and ready to embrace new challenges. Crestview is a place where academic excellence blends seamlessly with play and exploration, creating a rich and balanced experience. We celebrate childhood, nurture each child’s potential, and foster joyful learning that paves the way for a bright future. Visit us at www.crestviewprep.org to learn more.
CYPRESS SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO
(formerly known as Cow Hollow School)
387 Moraga Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 921-2328
www.cowhollowschool.org
Cypress School of San Francisco (formerly known as Cow Hollow School), a beautiful little school nestled in the Presidio in San Francisco, offers parent participation, full-day, full-year program 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.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
Head-Royce is a nationally recognized K-12 independent school situated in the hills of Oakland, California. Our mission is to develop students of character, intellect, and creativity.
At our core, 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 a diversity of thought and subject matter mastery from a wide range of experiences.
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.
Our 900 students come to us from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and we are proud to reflect the fabric of the Bay Area. Our admissions are open to all students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnic origin.
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 School, an independent JK-12 school in Los Gatos and downtown San José, California. At Hillbrook, students find a close, welcoming community of friends, parents, and educators—a place where every student is known, and a school where every student is encouraged to be exactly who they are. At Hillbrook, we know that who we are together makes a difference in the world.
In addition to strong academic programs in math, sciences, the arts, history, world languages, students can explore their passions and curiosities—student choice and engagement are firmly at the center of a Hillbrook education. Guided by the Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship, students learn how to discover what matters to them and their own agency to create change and turn their ideas into impact.
As a school, we move into the future with intention—diversity, equity, and inclusion are 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 for all. Hillbrook is an extraordinary place to be a student. Visit www.hillbrook.org or email admission@hillbrook.org to schedule a tour—we can’t wait to meet you!
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES
The International School of Los Angeles is an independent, international, high-quality school that offers both a French immersion track from preschool through 12th grade and a separate international high school track that prepares students for the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12. With multiple Los Angeles-area campuses (Burbank, Los Feliz, Pasadena, and West Valley), the School welcomes over 1,000 students.
We promise our students a future full of possibilities and opportunities that come from being outstanding bilingual critical thinkers who have access to two of the most rigorous academic credentials in the world. With a preschool through 12th grade education delivered in an intimate, nurturing and diverse environment, our students become caring global citizens prepared to thrive in a changing world. For more information, please visit internationalschool.la or email admissions@lilaschool.com. Speak and think globally.
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO
The International School of San Francisco is a bilingual, multicultural learning community where students learn to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence, empathy, and joy.
When minds and cultures from around the world come together to learn, boundless curiosity takes hold. That deep intellectual engagement and joyful discovery describes every day at The International School of San Francisco. Discussions, explorations, and adventures are richer and livelier because every member of our vibrant, international community is both student and teacher on an exhilarating journey of learning and empathy. There’s nothing like it in San Francisco.
With compassionate hearts and inquisitive minds, our students are the collaborative global changemakers who will lead our world towards a more just future.
Learn more about us at https://www.internationalsf.org/.
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE SAN FRANCISCO
LFSF, the Lycée Français de San Francisco, offers a unique multilingual and multicultural education program designed to empower students to become adaptable global thinkers, able to make meaningful contributions to our world. From Preschool, 2 years old, to High School, LFSF students grow up cultivating curiosity and critical thinking, empathy and respect for others.
Our international community (50+ nationalities / 30+ languages) supports and deeply cares about the DEI work done everyday. LFSF is proud to celebrate and include all members of its community at large.
Our program, which is also composed of an international section starting in Elementary school, allows students to graduate with a double diploma (French Baccalaureate and U.S. High School Diploma), and is an excellent preparation for universities in North America (for 80+% of our students), Europe or anywhere in the world.
Accredited by CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools) as well as the French Ministry of National Education, LFSF brings you close to 60 years of experience in bilingual education.
LFSF is a Candidate School* for the internationally renowned IB program to add an international track (LFSF iTrack) from Kindergarten to Gr 12. This continuous program provides students with an outstanding French language acquisition curriculum that will lead to an IB Bilingual diploma. Contact our Admissions office for more information.
*This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that LFSF believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
MONICA ROS SCHOOL
Monica Ros School, located in Ojai, California (between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara), has been a cherished part of the community since 1942, offering a warm, nurturing environment for children ages two through third grade. Our play-based curriculum encourages children to explore and learn through hands-on activities, making each day engaging and fun. With small class sizes, every child receives the personalized attention they need to thrive. We balance academics with art, music, performing arts, Spanish, and outdoor play, helping build children's confidence and creating a well-rounded foundation for their future. We are committed to creating an inclusive community that celebrates diversity and ensures all students feel seen, valued, and respected. At Monica Ros, we are more than just a school – we are a close-knit, supportive community dedicated to fostering creativity and growth in every child.
PRESIDIO KNOLLS SCHOOL
https://www.presidioknolls.org/
Unlock a World of Possibilities at Presidio Knolls School
In the heart of San Francisco’s SoMa district, Presidio Knolls School (PKS) is redefining what it means to be a global citizen. Our Mandarin immersion program, serving children from preschool (age 2.5) through eighth grade, is more than just an academic or language experience—it’s a journey into global competence, emotional intelligence, and cultural understanding.
At PKS, we offer a learning environment where full Mandarin immersion transitions into a bilingual approach by middle school, all within a project-based curriculum that sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Our students don’t just learn—they inquire, innovate, and connect with the world around them, becoming ethical leaders ready to face global challenges.
Community and collaboration are the heart of PKS. We are a place where every student, family, and staff member is valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our shared future. With a strong focus on cultural competence and social justice, PKS prepares students not just for academic success, but for a lifetime of meaningful impact.
Ready to explore what PKS can offer your child? Visit presidioknolls.org/admissions-welcome to learn more and register for an information session. Join us in a community where learning is a joyful adventure, and every child is prepared to lead with purpose and heart.
PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL
Elementary School
2060 Tapscott Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Middle School
960 Avis Drive
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Grades: TK – 8th
prospectsierra.org
Prospect Sierra is a TK-8 independent school enrolling 470 students on two spacious campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Prospect Sierra students are passionate about learning. Our exceptional teachers inspire students to seek deep, meaningful understanding; to develop strong academic skills; and to become creative and independent thinkers. Prospect Sierra cultivates compassion, fairness, respect, and individuality within a community that celebrates diversity, authenticity, and service.
Prospect Sierra At-A-Glance
• Located on two 3-acre campuses in El Cerrito hills
• 470 students
• Families from 15 Bay Area cities
• Student teacher ratio 9:1
• Students of color: 56%
• $2.5M invested in Flexible Tuition
• Flexible tuition students: 33%
• School begins at 8:30 a.m. for TK-4, 8:15 a.m. for 5-8
• Transportation available
• Extended programs available
For more information, please email us at admissions@prospectsierra.org.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
St. James’ Episcopal School is an independent, Pre K-6th elementary school with a neighborhood school “feel” in the heart of Los Angeles. We provide a rich educational experience in a warm and diverse community.
We believe that an inclusive and joyful respect for all of God’s creation, engaged and compassionate citizenship, and student-centered instruction instill in our students a lifelong love of learning, academic confidence and success. St. James’ is not just an education; it is an engaging, close-knit community that becomes part of your family and your life.
At St. James’, our approach to teaching and learning blends student-centered instruction with joy and rigor. Through designing learning spaces with careful attention to the socio-emotional needs of our students, we ensure that all of our children are seen, heard and affirmed.
Our students learn best through an environment grounded in curiosity. We encourage our students to lean into creativity and wonder, while practicing kindness and compassion.
Our programs provide rich opportunities for children to develop lifelong habits of diligence and creative expression. We implement innovative, research-based best practices with extraordinary attention to students’ overall growth and well-being.
We invite you to visit and learn more about us at sjsla.org.
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 thoughtful, 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 Grade 8 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 out more at www.stratfordschools.com and discover a school where the extraordinary happens.
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.
VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Valley Montessori is the largest non-profit, and only triple accredited school in California. Established in Livermore in 1976, VMS a progressive, nationally recognized model Montessori school for children 18 months through 8th grade.
Accreditations include: the American Montessori Society, the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. VMS is a certified California Green Business making us one of only two schools in the Tri-Valley with this distinguished honor.
Our six-acre hilltop campus boasts an Edible School Yard, complete with a vegetable garden, sustainable chicken coop and fruit orchard providing endless practical life opportunities plus snacks for the classrooms. Montessori education and experiences open the world to children developing engaged, responsible, respectful, and empowered citizens with an appreciation that learning is for life.
WEBB
(909) 482-5214 / admission@webb.org
webb.org
Webb is an inclusive school community characterized by openness, acceptance, and empathy, where every individual is valued, respected, and supported. Located in Southern California, one of the most diverse areas in the US, our community is enriched by the different perspectives, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Embracing diversity in all its forms is crucial to our mission, especially our commitment to providing a top-tier learning environment that nurtures future leaders who think, act, lead, and serve.
As a community of learners, Webb is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that celebrates and honors all individuals. We respect individual differences, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
Our culture is deeply rooted in the school’s mission and values. From the moment you join the Webb family, your talents, perspectives, and engagement are both welcomed and expected. We cherish the creativity that emerges from diverse viewpoints, honor our students’ rich cultural experiences, and strive to create a sense of belonging for every member of our community.
Webb is committed to creating a community where students can explore their differences and build on their common humanity.
WOODLAND SCHOOL
Educating preschool through eighth-grade students, Woodland is a small school with a big heart. Families choose Woodland because they feel connected to our core values of curiosity, resilience, integrity, equity, respect, and stewardship, which are reflected in our curriculum, classrooms, and our grounded and inclusive community. Woodland is a school for the whole family as children grow and develop throughout their earliest educational experiences. While our preschool students explore their natural curiosity in a hands-on early childhood environment, our kindergarten through fourth-grade students develops a love for learning through small class sizes and nurturing teachers. During middle school, our fifth through eighth-grade students are supported through their adolescent years as they learn critical tools of self-advocacy, responsibility, and strength of voice.
Each day, Woodland strives to live its mission of developing collaborative, creative, and confident learners with the strength of voice to follow their hearts and make a difference. Located just west of Stanford University, Woodland students are kind to one another, are curious learners, are inclusive in the classroom and on the playground, lead daily assembly, and create and complete stewardship projects. Our students make Woodland a comfortable place for all children. Go Wildcats!
BOULDER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Preschool - Middle School
4820 Nautilus Court North
Boulder, Colorado 80301
303.527.4931
www.bouldercountryday.org
At BCD, no two days are the same. As we prepare our students for a world we can’t yet predict, we know that adaptability, resiliency, empathy, and courage are essential to every young person’s success. Here, you can expect to be challenged to find new ways to answer old questions, encouraged to try new things, and empowered to explore your place in the world. A proudly independent institution, BCD teaches students 2 ½ years old - 8th grade to be independent thinkers. Together, we can change the course of tomorrow.
• 5.5 acre campus
• Average Class size 12-16 in Preschool, 18 in Elementary, 16 in Middle School
• Class sizes that allow for deep student/family:teacher relationships
• Robust Financial Assistance
• 9 Sports Teams offered
• Specials Classes from PS-8th ranging from 5-8 hours a week plus multiple recesses
• Extensive Electives classes in Middle School
• IB Middle Years Programme for 6th-8th grade
• Public speaking and extensive Social-Emotional Learning Focused
• Challenging academic curriculum, extensive support, and a focus on meaningful and experiential learning
• World Language curriculum in Spanish and French starting in PS, and Latin starting in MS
• Skilled Learning Center faculty plus in classroom differentiation
• Full dining service daily with allergen awareness included in tuition
• Active Parents’ Association, free parent education, and weekly community engagement
• Extended day programming every day after school until 5:30 pm offering classes in art, music, languages, and other enrichment subjects.
• Commitment to creating inclusion and belonging as a central and core value of the school.
Schedule a tour or attend an Open House at https://www.bouldercountryday.org/admission/tours-and-open-houses.
School Contact - Susan Boyle, Chief Enrollment and Strategy Officer, info@bouldercountryday.org or (303) 516-4148.
Dawson School
10455 Dawson Dr.
Lafayette, CO 80026
303-665-6679
www.dawsonschool.org
Dawson School is the Boulder County region’s leading independent, college-preparatory school for students in grades K-12. Dawson offers challenging academics, robust arts and athletics programs, and renowned outdoor and experiential education. Emphasizing respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, Dawson prioritizes the social-emotional well-being of our community. Dawson graduates are young men and women who achieve their individual potential, savor life, and meet the challenges of the world.
- Student: Faculty ratio 7:1
- Average class size of 15
- 100% graduation rate
- 7 bus routes daily; multiple, convenient stops
- 48 sports teams; post-season play typical
- 20 arts program options
- Over $6M college scholarships yearly
- Study abroad options
- 107-acre campus
- Integrated technology; K-12 coding
- 10 hours of specials weekly in Lower School
- Hot lunch prepared daily, included
- Leadership, public speaking, character education
- Two full gyms; playing fields; tennis courts
- Challenge course; two learning gardens; orchard
- Involved parent community
THE DAWSON DIFFERENCE: For over 50 years, Dawson has been meeting each student where they are, and developing them into the world’s leaders, thinkers, and creators. Students experience relevant, real-world learning, discover passions, and cultivate the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond -- all in a supportive environment that recognizes them as individuals. Please visit our community of students, faculty, staff, and families who value, and share a commitment to, leading-edge education.
Rectory School
528 Pomfret Street
P.O. Box 68
Pomfret, CT 06258
www.rectoryschool.org
860.928.1328
Rectory School is a K-9 private school located on 138 acres in Pomfret, Connecticut. Considered a “Junior Boarding School,” Rectory offers 5-day and 7-day boarding programs for students in grades 5-9.
At Rectory, understanding your child is our priority. Not all students learn the same, which is why we surround your child with adults who believe all students can succeed when they are given the tools that fit their particular learning style. In all facets of school life, students are encouraged to reach beyond their comfort level, and while this sometimes means they may stumble along the way, it always means that they are building valuable life skills.
Rectory's supportive environment enables us to create a personalized learning plan that fits your child. Our signature Individualized Instruction Program allows students to build subject-specific skills, develop executive functioning strategies, and gain the remediation and enrichment they need to thrive in the overall academic program... and in life.
All aspects of our program (academics, athletics, arts, and residential life) are rooted in the core values of the School Creed: Responsibility, Respect, Honesty, and Compassion. Students graduate from Rectory with strong ethical and social values and an education that lasts a lifetime.
VANGUARD SCHOOL
Vanguard School has been providing individualized education to students who learn differently through skill assessment, multi-modality teaching, and focus on the whole student since 1966. We use a variety of teaching styles and consistently improve our services to meet the needs of our students. Our rolling admissions offers students and families the opportunity to join the Vanguard School family throughout the school year.
We work with co-educational students in 6th through 12th grades who experience an array of learning challenges, by addressing social/emotional learning opportunities, executive functioning solutions, and to help students gain the confidence to drive their motivation and goal attainment. We focus on guiding students to utilize core values (community, resilience, integrity, empathy, and leadership) to self-evaluate their behaviors and intentions. All students are valued and celebrated for their individuality and strengths. We are Vanguard.
BENNETT DAY SCHOOL
955 W. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
312-236-6388
www.bennettday.org
Bennett Day School is an independent, PreK-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. Their mission is to provide a collaborative culture that nurtures the community's innate sense of inquiry and curiosity.
Educators at Bennett don’t see students as empty vessels waiting to be filled with information, but rather as 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! Plan your visit to Bennett Day: https://bennettday.org/visitus/
COUNCIL OAK MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Council Oak Montessori School (COMS), established in 1990, uses the child-focused approach developed by Italian physician Dr. Maria Montessori. Providing a high fidelity Montessori education, Council Oak Montessori School serves children ages 3 through eighth grade, providing a nurturing environment where independence and exploration are not only encouraged but celebrated.
Located on the historic banks of the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island, Illinois, COMS students enjoy the benefits of having both the city and the Cook County Nature Preserves as active extensions of the classroom.
The school’s outdoor space—a half-acre of gardens enriching the Montessori curriculum—offers a strong framework for students to grow into authentic stewards and leaders. The school partners with local musician, Gerry Burns, and offers a beautiful music program that follows the Montessori pedagogy closely. Capoeira with Rise Training Academy and weekly yoga and mindfulness classes also offer COMS students a well-rounded, whole child approach to learning.
Council Oak Montessori School is currently enrolling new students into its early-childhood classroom serving children ages 3 to 5.
To learn more about the school’s programs visit the website at counciloakmontessori.org.
GEMS World Academy Chicago
350 E. South Water St., Chicago
312-809-8912
admissions@gemschicago.org
gemschicago.org/en/
Grades served: Preschool-8
NOS: 260
We are an International Baccalaureate school in the heart of downtown Chicago. Our location allows our teachers to use the city as an extension of their classrooms, providing students with experiential, real-world learning opportunities. Students are guided to their fullest potential as well-rounded, empathetic problem solvers who are ready to make an impact on our world. As part of our dedication to global citizenship, we require daily French, Spanish or Mandarin instruction. About 1/3 of our student population are international, 1/3 are from other parts of the U.S. and 1/3 are rooted Chicagoans. In the multicultural hub of Chicago, GEMS is a model of our increasingly interconnected world.
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHICAGO
1726 W Berteau Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
+1-773-857-3000
admissions@germanschoolchicago.com
www.germanschoolchicago.com
The German International School Chicago (GISC) is a private, nonprofit IB World School that offers a bilingual, international education to over 185 students from Preschool through Grade 8. Currently in its 15th school year, GISC intends to grow through the completion of high school.
GISC welcomes students of all backgrounds and nationalities. There are currently over 40 nationalities represented and close to 30 languages spoken at home. German language skills are not required for most grades.
Low student-teacher ratios enable students to learn in a supportive and individualized environment that nurtures curiosity and creativity while fostering global awareness. GISC students – fluent in German and English – will become well-rounded, creative, and responsible global citizens.
ROYCEMORE SCHOOL
Discover More at Roycemore.
Roycemore is an independent PK-12 college preparatory school in Evanston, Illinois founded on Northwestern University's campus in 1915.
Our diverse and intimate community, rooted in academic excellence, inspires each student to:
• Discover their passions: Student-centered and experiential learning opportunities allow students to explore topics they are deeply curious about.
• Think without limits: Students are challenged where they excel while being supported where they need it.
• Find their voice: Our Portrait of a Graduate emphasizes the importance of social-emotional skills alongside scholarship and citizenship. Students learn how to advocate for themselves and others.
• Live courageously: Our intentionally small community prioritizes personal relationships. Students feel seen, heard, and known by their teachers and peers which helps them reach their full potential.
Now enrolling! Learn more about Roycemore and arrange a visit to campus: www.roycemoreschool.org/admissions
There are no listings at this time.
BARRIE SCHOOL
13500 Layhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
John Wilson
Director of Admission
admission@barrie.org
301-576-2800
barrie.org
Barrie School is a progressive independent school, serving students from 3 Months to Grade 12, that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. Our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (3 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.
MCLEAN SCHOOL
8224 Lochinver Lane
Potomac, MD 20854
301-299-8277
www.mcleanschool.org
K - 12th grade
We hear it all the time—McLean School transforms lives. McLean is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for bright students in kindergarten through grade 12. We welcome both traditional learners and those with mild to moderate learning differences—including ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, language-based differences, such as dyslexia and dysgraphia.
In small classes with attentive teachers, and a supportive social environment, students discover their strengths, strengthen their challenges, and find joy in learning. A rich variety of options—including STEM/Robotics, art, music, drama, athletics, clubs, and community service—complements our rigorous core academic programs.
We also incorporate fresh thinking into our curriculum. We planted gardens to increase environmental awareness, added the study of technology and robotics, and recognized the value of mindfulness in the classrooms. In addition to honors and AP classes, a creative partnership with American University enables qualified seniors to take college courses.
At every stage of their development, our students are transformed by the McLean approach. They become insightful, confident learners and their own best advocates. The proof is in their acceptances to highly regarded colleges and their success in college and in life.
We invite you to roam our website—or contact us directly—to learn more about McLean.
THE NORA SCHOOL
955 Sligo Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Marcia Miller
Director of Admissions
Marcia@nora-school.org
301-495-6672
nora-school.org
The Nora School is a progressive, socially conscious, college preparatory high school that is small by design, academically and emotionally supportive, and community oriented.
The school's mission is to guide students to identify their talents, understand where their challenges lie, and honor their unique identities as they become college ready, independent learners. Students at Nora seek a richer more engaging education without the emphasis on standardized testing. Discussions in classrooms help students consider a critical world view and find their voice in an intellectually vigorous, accepting, nurturing environment. With a thought provoking curriculum, inclusive sports and arts programs, Social Justice Travel Programs and more, students build deep connections with the faculty and each other. We encourage responsibility and build confidence and excitement about learning. The school's social education program includes retreats and field trips that engage in experiential study, individual academic and college counseling, weekly advisory meetings, monthly community service projects and mindfulness practice.
Call us or RSVP for an Open house to discover the essence of our school. Celebrating the same mission for over 60 years.
BARD COLLEGE AT SIMON'S ROCK
84 Alford Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413-644-4400
simons-rock.edu
Age doesn't define intellect. At Bard College at Simon’s Rock, young scholars take on meaningful, serious academic challenges. With world-expanding opportunities both on and off-campus, students engage in critical reading, writing, and discussion-based classes. Laboratory and studio experiences provide hands-on opportunities to apply new knowledge and skills. The Princeton Review rates our academics higher than Harvard and Princeton, and 78% of our students go on to graduate study.
We believe that the rich multiplicity of identities and backgrounds in our community makes us stronger and enhances our experiences in and out of the classroom. Simon’s Rock is ranked 4 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index, the premier LGBTQ national benchmarking tool for colleges.
Bard College at Simon's Rock is the country's only residential college of the liberal arts and sciences specifically designed to provide highly motivated students with the opportunity to begin college after the 10th or 11th grade. At Simon's Rock, students choose to transfer after two years with an A.A. degree that is highly respected by some of the most prestigious colleges and universities or stay for four years to complete a B.A. in a remarkably individualized program.
CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL
5 Cadbury Rd
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-388
https://cambridgefriendsschool.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 anti-racist, anti-homophobic 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.
CHARLES RIVER SCHOOL
6 Old Meadow Rd
Dover, MA 02030
www.charlesriverschool.org
Charles River School students use intellect, experience, and optimism to see what’s possible. Through observing, hypothesizing, investigating, and revising they solve problems and ask new questions. Our students learn to use both inquiry and creativity to build practical skills, discover new interests and take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and the future.
At CRS, progressive education is the tradition. Our students explore different angles and think through disciplines by way of real-world themes and hands-on projects. This has a profound effect on what they learn since they understand the “why.” We seamlessly connect knowledge, wonder, and outcomes to drive high engagement every day and eager anticipation for what’s to come.
Charles River School is a PreKindergarten through Grade 8 independent school that honors the pursuit of academic excellence and the joy of childhood. We nurture each child by igniting curiosity, encouraging creativity, and cultivating intellectual engagement. Our graduates know themselves, understand others, and shape the future of our diverse world with confidence and compassion. Visit www.charlesriverschool.org to learn more.
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 blended 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. 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 our virtual, student-led tours, or connect personally to schedule an on-campus tour with our admissions staff by emailing admissions@dcds.net. An up-to-date schedule of admissions events will be available on our website in September.
HANDS-ON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
12 Creeden Street
Mansfield, MA 020478
www.homontessori.com
Established in 2003, HOMS is a small, private coeducational Montessori day school that services families with children ages 18 months to 12 years (or toddler through sixth grade).
Mission Statement
Hands-On Montessori School is a community of children, families, and teachers dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the development of each student’s independence, self-confidence, self-respect, and creativity, enabling each child to reach his/her full potential as a global citizen and life-long learner. Hands-On Montessori School facilitates this development by embracing the philosophy and methods of Dr. Maria Montessori in harmony with other developmentally appropriate, innovative teaching practices.
We encourage students to become engaged and excited with their schoolwork through active learning. Students are encouraged to pursue studies in all areas of their spontaneous personal interest using hands-on “experiential” learning through concrete manipulative learning materials, experimental discovery, and group experiences. Hands-On Montessori School is committed to both high standards of individual academic achievement while at the same time respecting the child’s human dignity and well-being.
For more information about our school and individual programs and hours, please visit our Facebook page and web site at www.homontessori.com or email admin@homontessori.com.
There are no listings at this time.
No New Hampshire schools listed at this time.
THE CRAIG SCHOOL
10 Tower Hill Road
Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046
https://www.craigschool.org
Currently celebrating its 41st anniversary, The Craig School is an independent school that specializes in working with students with learning disabilities in grades two to 12. The program features proven, research-based learning strategies based on a comprehensive, whole-child approach and multi-sensory instructional strategies. The Craig School's tools allow students to build their academic foundations, increase their ability to be active and independent learners, and develop a sense of who they are as individuals and students. Visit us at craigschool.org.
THE ELISABETH MORROW SCHOOL
452 Lydecker Street
Englewood, N.J. 07631
201-568-5566 ext. 7212
elisabethmorrow.org
A leader in education from early childhood through eighth grade, The Elisabeth Morrow School personalizes learning for each child, cultivating their unique spark and innate creativity. Through an engaging project-based and inquiry-driven curriculum, students connect learning across subjects.
More than choosing a school, our families have chosen to join a community where the values they teach their children at home are reinforced at school and where we focus on developing the whole child socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Through social-emotional learning and modeling the 4 C’s — Courtesy, Consideration, Cooperation, and Compassion — we strive to develop character in children and foster a community where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.
Contact us to find out how — through initiatives in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM), like our design studios and NuVuX partnership — The Elisabeth Morrow School prepares children to lead the way with innovative thinking in a rapidly changing world.
LONG ISLAND
THE GREEN VALE SCHOOL
250 Valentine’s Lane
Old Brookville, NY 11545
http://www.greenvaleschool.org/
Green Vale is a coed elementary school for Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade, drawing families from all over Long Island. Since 1923, a program of exceptional academics and small class sizes is combined with emphasis on social-emotional learning and character development at every grade level. After a culminating experience in the middle school years (6th-8th Grades), GVS graduates go on to excel at independent, public, and boarding secondary schools.
WESTCHESTER & UPSTATE
FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEW YORK
Pre & Lower School: 111 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538
Middle School: 145 New Street, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
High School: 320 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Contact us at 914-250-0401 or admissions@fasny.org
Founded in 1980 as a one-classroom preschool, FASNY has evolved to become an international and bilingual N-12 day school educating more than 700 students on three campuses in Mamaroneck and Larchmont, New York. It is the only school in the New York metropolitan area accredited to offer both the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and the French baccalaureate. All students also graduate with a New York State high school diploma. New in September 2020: an International Program for grades 1-8, no previous French required.
Teachers are committed to creating an environment that is nurturing yet challenging, one that encourages students to flourish intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. A combination of French and American traditions are hallmarks of school life, as are the arts, music, athletics, and community service; local and international trips; and 20+ club offerings. College acceptances represent a wide range of schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and other European nations. To learn more visit fasny.org.
GREEN MEADOW WALDORF SCHOOL
307 Hungry Hollow Rd.
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
845-356-2514
www.gmws.org
Nursery – 12th grade
Green Meadow Waldorf School offers programs for babies and toddlers from birth to age three, serves children from Nursery through 12th grade, and runs popular summer programs. Founded in 1950, we are one of the oldest, largest Waldorf schools in the US, with almost 225 students. Benefiting from discovery and play in our Early Childhood program, skill-building in our Lower School, and rigorous intellectual challenges in the High School, Green Meadow students go on to top colleges, fulfilling careers, and are known for their resilience and creativity. Come to an admissions event or call us to learn more about how we are transforming education. We also have a strong commitment to serving a diverse range of children, and we welcome LGBTQ and gender-fluid families. We invite you to read about our commitment to diversity at www.gmws.org/diversity.
HACKLEY SCHOOL
293 Benedict Ave
Tarrytown, NY 10591
www.hackleyschool.org
A member of both the Ivy Preparatory League and the international schools' consortium Round Square, Hackley has a 285-acre woodland campus in Tarrytown with extensive facilities to support our K-12 educational program, including a science building, geothermal library, competition cross-country trail system, eight athletics fields, and a new 110,000-sq ft Center for Health and Wellness. Through ongoing efforts to increase socioeconomic diversity, Hackley now draws from over 70 communities, from Cold Spring to Manhattan, from Ridgefield, CT to Franklin Lakes, NJ, and all points in between.
Hackley’s mission “challenges students to grow in character, scholarship, and accomplishment, to offer unreserved effort, and to learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world.” Hackley students discover themselves through relationships with others—in classrooms, on stage, in art studios, through community service, and on playing fields. Committed to international understanding, diversity, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership, and service, Hackley prepares students to think and act with care and effectiveness both at school and in their broader communities.
Welcomed by the motto, “Enter here to be and find a friend,” Hackley honors the strength of character, offering students a warm, supportive community that enables both challenge and nurture, giving them the means to set high personal goals and attain them. Through this strong ethos and the quality of its faculty and students, Hackley has achieved distinction as an educational force shaping the lives of generations.
New York City
THE BRICK CHURCH SCHOOL
The Brick Church School offers an excellent early childhood education, nourishing children’s emotional, social, intellectual, physical, ethical, and spiritual well-being through an intentionally balanced approach in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual respect. The Brick Church School actively seeks to be a community that is diverse and inclusive in all aspects. Informed by the latest scientific research about brain development in the early years, our program fosters a love of learning while ensuring that children develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they will need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond, all in an age-appropriate, stimulating learning environment. Our expert teaching staff ensures that all children are supported and challenged. At The Brick Church School, children are valued for who they are and reach their fullest potential for growth and development while in our care.
BROOKLYN FRIENDS SCHOOL
375 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-852-1029
www.brooklynfriends.org
Preschool - 12th grade
Brooklyn Friends School, founded in 1867, draws upon its Quaker heritage to educate students within the context of a challenging academic program and a caring, supportive community. An independent, coed day school, Brooklyn Friends enrolls more than 600 students from preschool through 12th grade,
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, our student body reflects the diversity of New York City and our students travel to school from all five boroughs and New Jersey. The Preschool through 8th grade, located in an eight-story building on Pearl Street, houses science labs, libraries, art, woodworking and ceramics studios, two dance studios, two gymnasiums, a rooftop playground, and a 300-seat theater. The Upper School (9th-12th grade) is housed at 116 Lawrence Street and contains science labs, a library, art, dance and music studios and a physical education center.
From the youngest age, students learn skills of empathy through play, writing, speaking, and activism. Our students are challenged by a curriculum based in critical thinking, self-reflection and inquiry. The highly esteemed International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is offered in the Upper School. Our school is proud of its active, supportive parent body, our enthusiastic and dedicated colleagues, and our thoughtful and engaged students. Together, we form a community reflective of a unique combination of intellect, energy, and heart.
As a Quaker school we value the light within each individual and encourage each student to find their voice and use it to make an impact on their community. With a curriculum that centers our Quaker identity, social justice and equity and inclusion, our students interact with the differences they see and learn to face challenges head on.
BROOKLYN MUSIC SCHOOL
(718) 638-5660
126 St. Felix Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.brooklynmusicschool.org
The Brooklyn Music School is a community arts organization that has been changing lives through music for more than a century. We are proud to offer an expansive range of programming for all ages and disciplines, both online and in person. We believe in providing our students with opportunities to learn, connect and perform. Our programming reflects our commitment to our mission of increasing the accessibility of high quality Music Education. We cater classes and lessons to all skill levels and everything we offer is available at an affordable cost with Financial Aid available.
At BMS you can explore: After School Programs for grades K-5 (Arts Reaching Youth), Private Lessons for all instruments and ages, Group Classes, Summer Camps, Early Childhood Music (ages 0-5), Musical Theater, Dance, Music & Dance Ensembles, and Music Therapy.
As a community space, we also offer Rehearsal Room Rentals, Theater Space Rentals (240 seats), and Performance Opportunities.
Learn more today about filling your child’s life with the joy of music by visiting www.brooklynmusicschool.org!
C'E MONTESSORI
C'E Montessori is an independent, coeducational Spanish/English dual-language Montessori school for Toddlers through Fourth Grade. The school's philosophy is an evolved take on the Montessori method, and they provide an advanced curriculum that is adapted to the needs of children in NYC today. C'E Montessori is a vibrant community of parents, teachers and children. C'E defines its vision and staff as Modern Montessori Purists - Traditional Montessori in the classroom for their students, transparent accountability and metrics online for their staff and parents. C'E Montessori enrolls children for its three different school programs. Toddlers, Primary and Lower Elementary. Children applying for our Toddler program must be two years old upon enrollment, our Primary (3-6), Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grade), and Upper Elementary (4th-6th grade) programs are mixed aged classrooms. Visit the website for information on virtual tours and admissions information as well as summer camp details.
At C'E Montessori we prepare the child to transform their world, without prejudice to what that world will be, which child will transform it or how it needs to be transformed. We respect the potential of the child and the fundamentals of our ideas enough to allow our students to imagine that world different.
CITY AND COUNTRY SCHOOL
146 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
Director of Admissions: Elise Bauer
https://www.cityandcountry.org
City and Country School, for ages two – eighth grade, is a historically significant progressive school founded in 1914 by pioneer educator Caroline Pratt. Housed in seven brownstones in the West Village, its buildings and courtyards are filled with character and natural light.
Early childhood classrooms follow a simple-by-design philosophy. Children use basic materials including paint, clay, wood, water, and Pratt’s creation: wooden unit blocks, now used the world over. These open-ended materials, along with expert teachers, inspire creativity and collaboration, while promoting attention span and cognition.
Young children also use another of Pratt’s innovative designs: outdoor blocks. Children invent play structures using wooden boxes, blocks, boards, and sawhorses. Older groups use the School’s gym facility; the team sports program is introduced at age 10.
Older children engage in sophisticated historical studies of our diverse world, incorporating themes of social justice. Art, Technology, Music, Science, Woodshop, Rhythms, and Spanish complement their studies of history and culture. A hallmark is the Jobs Program: each group performs a job for the School (for example, school supply store). Through their jobs, children solidify skills in context, and develop authentic confidence, responsibility, and resourcefulness.
Students are accepted to an impressive range of high schools, most attending their top choice.
The Co-op School
644 Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11221
347-721-3408
www.thecoopschool.org
Preschool to 8th Grade
All members of The Co-op School — students, families and staff — contribute to the development of our unique culture. Teachers collaborate and guide students in the dynamic, life-long process of questioning and deepening connections.
We, The Co-op School, believe in and nurture the following Core Values:
Compassion: the strength to work together as a team, to be an individual, to respect differences of opinions, and have the ability to empathize with others.
Uniqueness: the confidence that leads to risk taking, problem solving, and taking pride in one’s own point of view.
Innovation: curiosity, creativity, experimentation and perseverance when faced with challenges.
Community Action: an awareness, respect and care for our surroundings, community and environment.
Joy: the simple joy of playing, learning, and friendship making.
The Co-op School is an inclusive community. We welcome and celebrate students and families who represent the diversity of Brooklyn and beyond, as it relates to race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic class and physical ability. We are committed to anti-bias teaching, which for young children is as much about precluding the formation of biases as it is disproving their myths.
THE ÉCOLE
Pre-Nursery to 8th Grade
111 East 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
+1 646 410 2238
bonjour@TheEcole.org
www.theecole.org
Located in New York’s vibrant Flatiron District, our intimate and independent French-American school cultivates an internationally-minded community of students. At The École, we believe that the goal of education is to develop well-informed, well-rounded, responsible and compassionate students who can create and connect to a world filled with possibilities. This belief is at the heart of our uniquely designed bilingual program, in which students learn to not just speak, read, and write in two languages, but also to think, feel, and act in ways that are informed by two cultures. To always see, explore, and understand the world around them from two perspectives is the gift of the deeply bi-literate student.
Artfully blending the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches of the French and American systems, our faculty create rich academic environments for a diverse, international student body. From Maternelle through Middle School, students at The École are guided through the core language arts, social studies, math, and sciences content, as well as character and cultural enrichment, in both French and English. In our intimate classroom settings, our teachers aspire to provide bilingual learning opportunities that engage, challenge and inspire.
THE IDEAL SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN
5 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10004
https://www.theidealschool.org/
A Small School That’s Big on Inclusion
The IDEAL School of Manhattan is New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school. Our mission is to affirm and accept the full identities of all people while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.
The school’s core principles are built into its name: Inclusion, Diversity, Excellence, Acceptance, and Leadership. Every aspect of the IDEAL experience--instruction, assessment, program, enrichment--reflects a research-based commitment to inclusion education.
At IDEAL, we believe that differentiated learning is the key to academic excellence. We offer a supportive environment where all identities and abilities are celebrated. Our diverse and nurturing community thrives in a robust academic program, where students recognize their potential to effect change and gain the tools to do so, seeking out the difference, and understanding that only in the community are we IDEAL.
IDEAL’s curriculum and programs are multicultural by design, and social justice and anti-bias instruction are built-in and given dedicated instructional time. Immersion in the arts and a differentiated athletic program as well as service-learning opportunities round out the IDEAL experience.
Schedule a visit to learn more about New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school, including our post-secondary Next Steps Transition Program for students aged 18-21.
THE INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOLS
For over 60 years, The International Preschools — IPS, as we say — has welcomed families from New York City and all around the world. Our uniquely diverse community is a happy place of belonging, sharing, supporting, growing and befriending — for both children and their parents. We celebrate our differences and commonalities and help children build the fundamental skills and attitudes to thrive in a complex world.
THE KEW-FOREST SCHOOL
119-17 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
www.kewforest.org
MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL
150 W. 85th St.
New York, NY 10024
212-348-0952
www.manhattancountryschool.org
PreK - 8th grade
Manhattan Country School is a pre-K through eighth-grade co-ed elementary school where children are members of a collaborative learning community. A recognized leader in progressive education, Manhattan Country School offers a cohesive, challenging academic program--one in which teachers rely on experiential learning and creative pursuits to stimulate the intellect. In addition to being well-trained in the academic disciplines, students acquire a deep understanding of activism and social justice and develop the strength and resources to effect change and pursue their goals. The student body reflects the diversity of New York City, with no racial group accounting for more than 50 percent. This diversity is supported by an innovative sliding-scale tuition program that enables every family to pay according to its means. A unique feature of the school is the award-winning MCS Farm in the Catskill Mountains. The farm program engages students with the natural processes that support life and provides an unparalleled experience of social growth. Manhattan Country School students graduate with highly developed critical-thinking skills, a sense of purpose, and a deep understanding of our multicultural world. They go on to attend a variety of highly selective independent, public and parochial high schools, and boarding schools.
MARY McDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL
Mary McDowell Friends School is a K-12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse and anti-racist community in which all students can reach their full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, advocates for equity, and contributing members of a global society.
We support our students in their academic journey with structured, multisensory curricula; differentiated instruction; small class sizes; and an engaging approach to learning, empowering them to be their own best advocates at school and beyond. We believe that all of our students can learn when given the attention and specialized resources they need. Our efforts extend beyond the classroom, incorporating the visual and performing arts, athletic teams, field studies programs, cross-cultural travel, and service-learning. Our college preparatory program is rich, supportive, and academically-rigorous.
The school has three campuses in Brooklyn: a newly renovated lower school in Boerum Hill, a middle school in Carroll Gardens, and an upper school in Brooklyn Heights. new.marymcdowell.org.
Montclare Children’s School
747 Amsterdam, Ave.,
New York, NY 10025
www.montclareschool.org
Nestled in a beautiful landmark building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Montclare Children’s School’s community reflects our international and culturally diverse neighborhood. Our enriched, balanced curriculum and primarily teacher-guided approach promote the highest levels of cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and ethical development, in a secure, stimulating, playful learning environment.
Our teachers scaffold opportunities for our students to problem solve, learn conflict resolution, and manage frustration and expectations, and our supportive preschool setting encourages kindergarten readiness.
Learning to transition, follow routines, and engage in cooperative play, children build confidence and independence. Our teachers encourage meaningful interactions and friendships, further boosting a child’s secure sense of self. Students also explore open-ended process art in our luminous art studio in addition to enjoying many opportunities throughout the day to engage in unstructured, imaginative play.
Through inquiry, discussion, and exploration our program fosters reflective thinking and abstract reasoning. Our curriculum promotes logical thinking by introducing skills in context and providing concrete materials. The acquisition of knowledge bolsters self-esteem and learning with others greatly enhances social intelligence.
Montclare’s dedicated teachers and administrators work together and with our children and their families to create the best possible educational environment for all of our students.
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOLS IN FLATIRON AND SOHO
212-633-0600
For admissions questions, please email us at admissions@themontessori.org
For general information, please email us at info@themontessori.org
https://www.themontessorischools.org/
The Montessori Schools provide an engaging early child-care education program in Downtown NYC built upon the classical methods of Maria Montessori. Our school puts children on a path that embraces creativity, builds self-awareness and helps develop the academic skills, emotional intelligence, and personal confidence necessary for lifelong success.
We are committed to teaching your children in a supportive, wholesome and state-of-the-art environment. We recognize our profound responsibility to make the most of these formative years and inculcate a love of learning that will serve your children for the rest of their lives.
Our SoHo campus serves children ages 18 months-6 years. Our Flatiron school serves children ages 2 years-6 years. To learn more about our admissions process, visit https://www.themontessorischools.org/admissions-exmissions.
NORD ANGLIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEW YORK (NAISNY)
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/nais-new-york
Nord Anglia International School New York (NAISNY), situated in Manhattan, prides itself on a diverse and inclusive community with 58% local New Yorkers and 42% international students. The school celebrates cultural diversity, even having its own NAISNY cookbook. Offering a British International curriculum, NAISNY prepares students for top US high schools. It caters to students from ages 2 to 8th grade, providing personalized learning through highly qualified teachers and specialist instructors in subjects such as Spanish, Music, Sports, Drama, and Dance.
NAISNY enhances education with enriching day trips and residential excursions. Middle school students engage in five-day trips like the Global Games and the Juilliard Creative Arts trip, while younger students enjoy a week-long trip to upstate New York. The school collaborates with MIT, UNICEF, and Juilliard to deliver a unique educational experience. From primary school, students receive swimming lessons and participate in global Nord Anglia academic challenges. Additional languages offered include Mandarin, French, and Italian.
NAISNY offers in-person tours and rolling admissions, ensuring access to its comprehensive and inclusive educational experience for a global student body.
We have a fantastic and welcoming community and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. We can’t wait to meet you!
OPEN HOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL
318 Warren Street Suite A
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.625.5252
www.openhousekids.org
For over 50 years, Open House has maintained an open door to all families and their children aged 2-5. At Open House, we believe in the central importance of a child’s social and emotional growth. We provide many rich play-based experiences in art, music, math, natural science, and literature, and through these, children gain cognitive skills and a confident social identity. Our developmentally sensitive and interactive approach allows children to be both self-directed and adult-supported.
Our school, located steps from the Bergen Street F/G stop, was designed with young children in mind and has five classrooms and a sunny enclosed rooftop playground. We offer highly flexible scheduling, with extended days, so that families may create programs that best suit their needs.
In keeping with our progressive educational philosophy, no screening, interview, or formal application determines admission to Open House. All that is required is interest, as established by taking a tour, filling out a brief application form, and paying an application fee of $100. Please visit www.openhousekids.org for more information and to schedule a tour.
We look forward to seeing you at Open House!
PETITS POUSSINS
VHG Group, Day Cares, and Preschools, welcomes students from all cultures and backgrounds and always values their identity and heritage. Our French, Spanish, and English-speaking teams motivate and guide our Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers in becoming independent, confident, and caring young minds in a bilingual setting.
At VHG Group/Petits Poussins, we believe that everything is language, whatever your native tongue: a smile is language, a hug is language, art is language, dance is language and music speaks volumes. We believe diversity is a strength in the world we live in and should continuously be celebrated. We want our students to be the next global leaders while becoming independent, confident, empathetic, and caring, in our bilingual setting. At VHG Group, we make learning FUN! Our children’s well-being, happiness, and academic and language development are at the foundation of our learning model.
Feel free to contact us for more information at 718-710-4403.
PUSTEBLUME INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL
244 West 14th Street, NYC
212-206-1137
info@pusteblumenyc.org
www.pusteblumenyc.org
Pusteblume International Preschool is NYC’s only non-profit, fully licensed, independent preschool offering German and Spanish language immersion. Some of our children participate in both language programs on a weekly rotation.
We combine the best of international and American teaching methods in a nurturing setting, that cultivates the growth and development of your child. Our unique, NY State-approved curriculum is built around inquiry and exploration in the classroom, the school community, and the vibrant city that surrounds us. Our licensed, native-speaking faculty teaches music, movement, mathematical concepts, literacy, and visual arts in a fun and warm learning environment.
Pusteblume’s beautifully appointed, light-filled facility features a large playroom that allows children to move freely even when the weather does not cooperate. We are conveniently located near multiple playgrounds and parks and are only steps away from various major transportation options.
Our preschool program admits children 2 to 5 years of age; the activity-based after-school/enrichment programs welcome children up to 12 years old and are open to students from other schools.
At Pusteblume we have created a multilingual, multicultural environment that prepares your child to participate and succeed in our international world.
ST. HILDA’S & ST. HUGH’S
St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s is an independent, Episcopal school for boys and girls. We welcome boys and girls as young as 2 for our early childhood and elementary programs. Our upper division welcomes students from fourth grade through eighth.
Founded in 1950, the school endeavors to create and educate a community diverse in race, culture, and religious beliefs, preparing its students to make meaningful contributions to our global society. Our mission statement draws upon the belief that learning occurs best in a diverse environment, open to all influences, and that it must be a product of critical analysis.
Located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the school serves over 300 students from neighborhoods throughout New York City.
TWIN PARKS MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
Central Park Montessori
1 West 91st St., NYC 10024
(212)595-2000
enroll@twinparks.org
Park West Montessori School
435 Central Park West, NYC 10025
(212)678-6072
pwadmissions@twinparks.org
Riverside Montessori School
202 Riverside Dr., NYC 10025
(212) 665-1600
admissions@twinparks.org
Twin Parks Montessori Schools (TPMS), www.twinparks.org, are accredited by the American Montessori Society, the Middle States Commission and are affiliates schools of Columbia University. TPMS provide nurturing, child-centered settings for children ages 3 months-6 years. TPMS are committed to fostering a community of lifelong learners using proven Montessori methodology. Problem solving and creativity are emphasized along with age-appropriate academic subjects. TPMS are among Manhattan’s most spacious preschools, offering rich and varied environments— from individual activity tables to open floor areas promoting group interaction, from the quiet areas for independent interests to the abundance of the Schools’ glorious backyards: Central and Riverside Parks. Each of these environments invites exploration, discovery and fully meets the developmental needs of young children.
WEST SIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
309 West 92nd St.
New York, NY 10025
212-662-8000
www.wsmsnyc.org
ages 3 months- 6 years old
Mimi Basso, Head of School
Judy Lyons, Director of Admissions
West Side Montessori School … where to begin a lifetime of learning.
Since 1963, West Side Montessori School has provided an exceptional early childhood education within a welcoming and richly diverse community. Here, children are nurtured, families find friendship and support and faculty can flourish. We embody the best practices that have evolved in early childhood and Montessori education, and as a community of learners, we use the process of self-reflection to continually improve what we know and what we do to best support our students. We share our growing understanding of early childhood education and our findings with parents and with the broader educational community. Our mission is made feasible by our outstanding faculty and is further enhanced by our internationally recognized teacher education program.
We will open an Infant, Toddler, and Twos Center at the Dahlia, 212 West 95th Street, in January '25 for children aged 3 months to 2 years.
We maintain our unique identity by:
Actively involving families in their children’s educational lives.
Modeling our belief in the importance of diversity.
Living our Montessori philosophy.
Continually building on our knowledge of child development and Montessori education.
BENCHMARK SCHOOL
Students who learn differently need a program tailored to the way they learn best, and that’s what Benchmark School provides.
Benchmark School in Media, PA is an internationally recognized leader in providing effective, individualized education for bright children in grades 1-8 who have dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences.
At Benchmark School, our exclusive approach goes beyond basic reading programs to reach the whole child. The Benchmark Approach is a unique way of teaching children with dyslexia, executive functioning issues (ADHD/ADD, auditory and visual processing differences), and other language-based learning differences.
Developed and refined over decades of research and hands-on experience, the Benchmark Approach teaches children how to be critical, analytical thinkers with excellent emotional, social, and decision-making skills.
The Benchmark Approach is intentional, reflective, supportive, and teaches the whole child. Our approach meets children where they are, and creates personalized instruction for each student. We use an array of tools and strategies—honed over fifty years—to scaffold student success.
When our graduates leave Benchmark School, they are confident and competent learners who know their learning styles intimately, and can advocate for their own success. Thousands of alumni credit Benchmark School with their achievements as learners and in life. Lauren Pyle '04 says, “I came to Benchmark because it catered to my unique learning style; other places couldn’t do that for me which stifled my ability to grow. Benchmark took the time to understand how I was different then gave me the tools to be successful.”
Visit at benchmarkschool.org.
BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL
5684 York Road
Lahaska, PA 18931
215-794-7491
www.bfs.org
Grades K-8
Buckingham Friends School: Individual Promise. Inspiring Curriculum. Inviting Community.
At Buckingham Friends School, an independent K-8 school, we believe deeply that each individual, at every age, offers unique and powerful promise. We cultivate that promise through our flexible and responsive curriculum, within our comprehensive value-added programs that add breadth and depth to their individual learning experience, and within a diverse and inviting community. We are excited to get to know you, and discover together how your child can thrive with BFS.
For more information or to register for a personal tour, visit www.bfs.org or contact our Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Melissa Clayton, at mclayton@bfs.org.
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.
DELAWARE VALLEY FRIENDS SCHOOL
19 E. Central Ave.,
Paoli, PA 19301
www.dvfriends.org
DVFriends is one of the nation’s best schools for bright students who learn differently. We welcome students in grades 1 to 12 with reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), math (dyscalculia), memory (long-term and working), processing speed, ADHD and executive functioning challenges. Our purposeful Quaker culture recognizes and honors the inherent worth of all students while nurturing a community that is diverse and inclusive in every way.
This philosophy underlies all we do to help students discover and grow their strengths and celebrate their differences. We have an exceptional track record of preparing students to succeed in college and beyond. A high percentage (98%) of DVFriends graduates apply and choose to attend a broad range of higher education programs, including 4-year colleges and universities, top art and culinary schools, community colleges, and technical institutes. Our faculty develops authentic partnerships with students and their families to build trust that fosters accountability and yields achievement. Our research-based, multisensory teaching techniques empower students to develop tools for their unique learning styles. Applying innovation and deep expertise, DVFriends teachers guide students to embrace the courage to try, establish the confidence to reach farther, and build resilience to succeed in school and beyond.
Learn more at www.dvfriends.org.
FRIENDS' CENTRAL SCHOOL
1101 City Avenue
Wynnewood, PA 19096
610-649-7440
www.friendscentral.org
Nursery - Grade 12
Friends’ Central School is an independent, Quaker, co-educational, college-preparatory day school for students in Nursery through grade 12, located on 41 acres across two campuses in Wynnewood, Pa. Guided by Quaker values since 1845, Friends’ Central cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical promise of students.
Friends' Central is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive, diverse community. A basic tenet of Quakerism is the belief that there is a divine spark in everyone, recognizing the spiritual equality of all persons. All constituencies are responsible for an awareness of and ongoing dialogue around equity issues of race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, privilege, religion, physical ability, and family structure. We honor each perspective and life experience, and through an intentional curriculum and differentiated methods of teaching, we seek to empower and engage all groups.
Friends’ Central is committed to education that is challenging, thoughtful, and dynamic. Our faculty set increasingly high standards, encouraging students to approach new ideas with an open mind and unreserved respect for one another. Our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, independent, and flexible thinking, and our graduates are prepared to succeed in college and the world beyond.
At Friends’ Central, we go further. We grow stronger through collaboration, dig deeper for new knowledge, and aim higher in the pursuit of intellectual promise.
To learn more, check out our website!
GEORGE SCHOOL
A global school with local roots, George School is a Quaker, co-ed, boarding and day high school located on a picturesque, 240-acre campus of open lawns and beautiful woods in Newtown, PA.
George School’s distinctive and customizable Signature Academic Program includes options for local and global experiential learning and truly allows students to live out its mission “to treasure learning for its own sake and use it to benefit a diverse world.” It is also one of few U.S. boarding schools to offer the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program. With the help of a strong and vibrant community, all students are supported as they chart their own path—one that is as challenging as it is rewarding.
Email admission@georgeschool.org, call 215.579.6547, or visit www.georgeschool.org to learn more about applying to George School.
GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
31 West Coulter Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-951-2300
www.germantownfriends.org
Early Childhood-12th grade
Founded in 1845, Germantown Friends School (GFS) is a Quaker, co-ed, independent day school for students in preschool through grade 12. Germantown Friends School is dedicated to reaching that of God in every person; the school mission is to seek truth, challenge the intellect, honor differences, embrace the city, and nurture each student’s mind, body and spirit.
Located in the historic neighborhood of Germantown in Northwestern Philadelphia, GFS is nationally known for its academic excellence, attention to the Quaker values of Peace, Equity, and Integrity, a commitment to diversity, and its long-standing dedication to community engagement and neighborhood partnerships.
GFS seeks bright and eager students who demonstrate the potential to engage deeply with an intellectually rigorous academic program, and who will contribute to our vibrant school community.
Contact admissions@germantownfriends.org, call 215-951-2345, or visit www.germantownfriends.org/admissions to learn more about applying to Germantown Friends School.
GWYNEDD FRIENDS SCHOOL
http://www.gwyneddfriendsschool.org/
Mission: Rooted in Quaker values, GFS unites play with academics in an environment that inspires respect, reflection, and confidence in young children.
Philosophy: Our foundation is the Quaker belief that there is "that of God" in every person. In keeping with that belief, we treat each child as a special individual. We help them develop a love of learning, and nurture a caring awareness of the broader community through service. The curriculum is based on the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship, and is communicated through playful learning and hands-on discovery. Children are inspired to learn through the natural setting of our campus. We encourage a strong sense of school community, strive to be intentionally inclusive, and give children skills and opportunities to become peace makers.
Vision: GFS students use their foundation of curiosity, caring, and a love for learning to develop their talents to the fullest and to become responsible global citizens who contribute positively to their chosen communities.
THE HAVERFORD SCHOOL
450 Lancaster Ave
Haverford, PA 19041
haverford.org
The Haverford School is a vibrant, private day school for remarkable boys, pre-kindergarten-12th grade. Our campus is located on Philadelphia's Main Line.
The Haverford School is a leader in educating boys, and our boys are at the heart of all we do. They are talented scholars, artists, and athletes – and so much more. Our extraordinary educators and best-for-boys teaching methods challenge and inspire every student, while our intentional Character and Citizenship program builds men of strong empathy, integrity, and courage.
The Haverford School community prepares boys for life by developing men of character, intellect, and compassion who will transform our world.
The Haverford School will create and nurture a supportive and inclusive community in which boys develop a passion for lifelong learning, creative problem solving, and sound decision making. We will inspire our students to be intellectually curious and provide them with the skills and judgment to flourish in our rapidly changing world.
Learn more at haverford.org.
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.
SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL
15 W. Walnut Street
Marietta, PA 17547
717-426-4506
www.susquehannawaldorf.org
Preschool through 8th grade
The Susquehanna Waldorf School is a private school located in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania offering classes from preschool through 8th grade. We have been inspiring resilience and compassion in our students since our founding in 1987. At Susquehanna Waldorf School, teachers create lessons that nurture all aspects of childhood, including emotional, physical, and spiritual development. We believe that school should invigorate children and contribute positively to their overall well-being and happiness. Our graduates build meaningful lives full of purpose and creativity through a rigorous educational foundation that nurtures the unique potential within each child.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is reflected in both our curriculum and in our community strivings as we seek to ever deepen our empathy for one another and the world in which we live. We are committed to ensuring our students, families, and staff feel welcome and supported at Susquehanna Waldorf School. Read our DEI statement here: https://www.susquehannawaldorf.org/dei/.
Visit our website and social media (@susquehannawaldorf) to learn more about our school by the river. Contact admissions at admissions@susquehanna.org or 717-426-4506 with questions and to schedule a tour.
THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF PHILADELPHIA
The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is a pre-K through 8th grade independent school, located on a wooded campus in the heart of historic Germantown.
We’re a small school by design. On an expansive campus, students are immersed in experiential learning, surrounded by warm community, and challenged to become their best selves: intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
We provide the right learning experiences at the right time. Our joyful and time-tested early childhood and elementary school curriculum mirrors children’s development. The Waldorf approach uniquely supports the growth of Preschool and Kindergarten children, while creative, substantive, interdisciplinary academics engage students in First through Eighth Grades.
Our innovative approach to liberal arts education teaches the whole child in an academically rich and creative environment. Integrating the arts, sciences, and social-emotional learning; cultivating physical agility through movement; and employing both practical and abstract approaches, the Waldorf School of Philadelphia engages students in learning that’s relevant and connected to their experiences. Our spacious campus lets children explore the natural world every day, supporting and deepening what’s taking place in the classroom.
Contact Maggie in Admissions to learn more and schedule a visit: (215) 248-1662 or admissions@phillywaldorf.com.
WESTTOWN SCHOOL
975 Westtown Road
West Chester, PA 19382
www.westtown.edu
Westtown School is a Quaker, co-ed, PreK-12th grade day school with boarding options in grades 9-12. We offer a challenging, distinctive curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, service, and social action. Located in West Chester, PA, we are a community of learners who value—and are strengthened by—the rich diversity of its members. As a school, we seek to prepare students for living and leading in a diverse and complex world. As a community, we prioritize inclusivity and respect.
At Westtown, we are uncommonly invested in helping our students discover their gifts, talents, passions, and sense of purpose. We believe deeply that within each of us there is a special Light, a unique wisdom, and an evolving sense of purpose. Together, we work to help students discover these in a supportive and collaborative environment. Our students are challenged to realize their intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual potential. A spirit of inquiry reigns in the classroom, and students are encouraged to think deeply and creatively, to feel the condition of others, and to listen to their inner selves.
Through innovative and engaging teaching practices and robust, intentional curricula, students are prepared to thrive in a world characterized by technological and social change equipped with critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. They are encouraged and empowered to be confident leaders of a just and compassionate future, to be active and empathetic participants in building healthy communities, and to be stewards of the natural world. Our graduates leave Westtown with a sense of purpose, defined interests, and the tools to explore with confidence, academic preparedness, and passion.
ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES SCHOOL
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 endeavors, 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 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.
BELLEVUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
2411 112th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA. 98004
425-454-7439
https://www.bellmontessori.com
For over 55 years, Bellevue Montessori School has offered an authentic Montessori education to the children on the east side of Seattle. We serve children ages 18 months up to age 12, offering a nurturing environment of respect, individualized instruction, and a diverse community. As an American Montessori Society-accredited school, we take lifelong learning seriously and work to inspire our students to be curious about the world, follow their passions, and take on leadership roles in their classroom, school, and community.
We offer a hands-on Montessori curriculum as well as Elementary specialists in art, science, drama, music, and P.E. To learn more or to schedule an in-person or virtual tour, go to Bellmontessori.com.
NEW DISCOVERY SCHOOL
New Discovery School is a play-based preschool that nurtures the whole child. We foster confident, joyful learners by building a strong and inclusive community of children, families, and teachers.
NDS was founded in 1985 with the mission to provide young children an emotionally supportive environment where they can learn and grow through play. Play is the heart of our curriculum.
Children explore and discover both on their own and with peers and teachers, learning through a balance of planned and spontaneous activities that engage and challenge, while also providing opportunities to experience success and self-discovery.
Our focus on social-emotional learning empowers children- giving them the skills to self-regulate, listen respectfully, resolve conflicts, enter play, welcome others, and feel confident navigating the social arena. We believe it is essential to teach children how to be valued members of a group, and we welcome all types of families to be a part of our community. The arts play a key role in our program. We start each day singing together, encourage creativity, and have a skilled team of teachers actively promoting creative expression through many forms including: music, sign language, movement, theater, dance, and sculpture. Children leave NDS confident and ready to continue learning.
SOUNDVIEW SCHOOL
6515 196th St. SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 778-8572
www.soundview.org
At Soundview School, we know that every child deserves a school that is ethical, rigorous, and compassionate. That is what Soundview School provides. That’s how we can help your child be ready for this world.
Soundview is a small, independent, International Baccalaureate school in Lynnwood, Washington serving children aged three through eighth grade.
Learn about our mission and our school at www.soundview.org or (425) 778-8572.
We are ready to talk about your child’s education.
VILLA ACADEMY
Villa Academy is a Preschool through 8th Grade independent school community located on 31 acres in northeast Seattle. We are intentionally diverse and inclusive, and our dedicated staff challenges and supports our students through differentiated educational experiences, student wellness, and inspired curiosity. Villa Academy is the only independent school in the city of Seattle that offers this dedication to the holistic development of children: mind, body, and spirit.
WHIDBEY ISLAND WALDORF SCHOOL
6335 Old Pietila Road, Clinton, WA 98236
360-341-5686
www.wiws.org
A Foundation of Free & Innovative Thought
Celebrating 36 years. Nursery to Grade 6.
Whidbey Island Waldorf School has provided a comprehensive, whole-person, arts-integrated education on south Whidbey Island, Washington since 1985. We are blessed to be situated in the midst of a 100-acre forest preserve.
What We Believe
The world is changing. What today’s children need in order to thrive, both now and in the future, is based on creativity, critical-thinking, and collaboration, not memorization, testing, and competition. At Whidbey Island Waldorf School, our students learn to work with others to develop knowledge and wisdom. They learn to express themselves and their ideas clearly, confidently, and creatively. They learn who they are and how to use their strong moral character and will to positively impact the world. They learn to learn, and they love to learn.
Who we are
Our extraordinary faculty brings decades of combined teaching experience, vast knowledge of child-development, and deep commitment both to their craft and to the children in their care. Whidbey Island Waldorf School is an pedagogically-established school that draws Waldorf families and teachers from across the country and the world.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL
Seattle, WA
www.westsideschool.org
At Westside School, every child crafts their own story that unfolds naturally from their personality, experiences, and gifts. We are distinguished by equal measures of rigor and delight, by a close-knit, inclusive community, and by ensuring that every child's story is full of possibility. We teach to the whole child, supporting them to explore, stretch, and grow, to foster lifelong joyful learners and independent thinkers who are engaged, caring leaders in our global community.
We strive to create a learning environment that teaches children to understand, appreciate, and respect different identities, abilities, beliefs, and cultures; and to have the confidence to speak and stand up to inequity and injustice.
We seek to create experiential opportunities that connect learning with meaningful context or service. Experiential education and integrated project-based learning engage students and give them real-life experience to develop problem-solving, innovative thinking, and complex communication skills, building a solid foundation for lifelong success.
In addition to core subjects, specialist classes at each grade level ensure Westside students graduate not only with a strong core of academics but also excelling in World Language study alongside a deep dive into the arts, physical education, and the natural world.
NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL
At NPS, we focus on the foundational decade of childhood to launch lives of purpose and compassion. We provide children from age 3 to grade 6 the guidance, challenge, and support they need to develop as successful learners and good people.
We celebrate childhood, the foundational years when the greatest leaps of learning occur. Our faculty and staff are experts at helping children learn and grow - intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
We challenge students with an engaging, research-based academic program that balances tradition and innovation. We embrace our Core Values – love, respect, responsibility, honesty, and safety - that help students learn and practice what it means to live morally and ethically. And we create a learning environment where children feel heard and respected.
Our exceptional outplacement record speaks for itself: NPS graduates routinely gain acceptance to - and thrive at - leading middle and high schools in the Washington, DC, area and beyond.
