CONNECTICUT
The Mead School
1095 Riverbank Rd., Stamford, CT 06903-2710
203-595-9500, www.meadschool.org
2 year olds - 8th grade
THE MEAD SCHOOL: THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN STAMFORD
Nestled in the heart of backcountry North Stamford lies the best-kept secret in progressive education-The Mead School. Founded in 1969 by Dr. Elaine de Beauport, noted educator in brain research, Mead School offers a modern approach to educating children from our 2-year old program through the eighth grade.
The Mead School is a community dedicated to preserving and stimulating the innate curiosity of each child, supporting emotional growth and encouraging responsible relationships. We want students to express personal feelings honestly and to deal respectfully with the feelings of others. The development of autonomous learning, becoming inner-directed, responsibility to one's self and to the community and life-long learning are among our goals.
Our commitment to diversity involves a process, which moves beyond “heroes, heroines, holidays” and specific times set aside for “special” curriculum such as Black History Month and Chinese New Year. In fact, the loftier goal is to phase out such blocks of time and integrate diversity into our curricula areas as regularly as curriculum is presented throughout the academic year.
There is no doubt that the Mead School provides a unique learning experience. It is an environment prepared by a dedicated and talented staff, to be explored by children on their mission of learning and development. To make this all happen, Mead has developed a “two teacher” system. In addition to a professional staff of art, music, mathematics, foreign language, social studies, science, physical movement, computer and language arts specialists (Material Center Directors), each class has a skilled professional (Home Center Director) responsible for students' overall development and for maintaining an on-going relationship with parents. In essence, Home Center Directors oversee each child's journey among the three pillars of a Mead School education: traditional academic curriculum, emotional learning and expressive arts. At Mead, all three pillars and all children are equally and highly valued and respected.
