Community School050

In 1914, a group of mothers decided to shun what they considered the rigid and formal approach to education and to instead create a more progressive school for their children.

Nearly 100 years later, Community School is the end result of the mothers' wish. The school is located on 16 wooded acres that feature playgrounds, fields, the Discovery Center, the Community Center, nature trails, a computer lab, and three buildings that hold classrooms.

The school holds onto unique traditions: family-style lunches, public-speaking training and events, and multi-age class groupings, among others. Approximately 340 students are enrolled at any given time.

Community School de-emphasizes test scores, although older children do take the ERB standardized achievement test. Its curriculum focuses good literature, the development of secure computational and problem-solving skills, creative writing, science, social studies, and other language arts activities. The school has an extended day program, homework club, and "mini classes" that center on extra-curricular activities like music, "mad science," crafts, and theater.