CONNECTICUT

The Marvelwood School
476 Skiff Mountain Road, Kent CT 06757
860-927-0047 Ext: 1005, www.marvelwood.org
High School, college preparatory day and boarding school
Marvelwood has long delivered an academic program that is customized to each individual student’s interests and needs.  It is intentionally challenging and appropriately nurturing and is sensitive to and accommodating of learning differences.  The academic program is geared to providing a strong preparation for college and laying the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, inquiry and learning.

In the Marvelwood classroom, every seat is literally in the front row.  Class size never exceeds 14; sections average around 8 students, and many are much smaller.  With a desirable 4:1 student/faculty ratio, individual attention in the classroom is guaranteed.  We expect and encourage our students to be active, engaged participants in their educational journey.

We continually adjust our curricula with an eye to providing the most engaging and stimulating academic program possible.  In 2008/2009, students had their choice of 67 different course offerings.  Scheduling is flexible enough to challenge and accommodate students at every level of ability.

Marvelwood is about choice, challenge, variety and flexibility. Experiential education is a Marvelwood hallmark.

Marvelwood’s student body numbers 165, with students from all across the United States and 8 different countries. It is a most marvelous choice!

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.

Watkinson School
180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06105
860-236-5618, www.watkinson.org
Grades 6 - 12 with a unique post-graduate program
Watkinson School, founded in 1881, is Hartford's only Independent School.  Watkinson serves 260 students from over 40 Connecticut towns in grades six through twelve and is a lead school for the Coalition of Essential Schools (www.essentialschools.org).  

Watkinson's mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their own lives and the world around them. Our curriculum is college preparatory; so all students must have the academic potential to complete the pre-college course requirements. We also want our students to represent a wide spectrum of academic interests and abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and extracurricular strengths and aspirations. There is no typical Watkinson student. We believe this diversity is one of our greatest teaching tools.

Watkinson is a community dedicated to the truth that every child learns differently. The students who enter Watkinson are not the same as the students who leave it. People change here. Artists become scientists, scientists become writers, writers become athletes, and athletes become artists. Students develop the skills and habits of mind that let them imagine a goal and attain it, while thriving in a safe, caring, diverse setting.  

Distinguishing characteristics of a Watkinson education include: Global Studies and Creative Arts Diploma Programs, Learning Skills Program, 85 minute block classes, and access to college credit at the neighboring University of Hartford.  

For more information, please contact our Director of Admissions, John Crosson, at John_Crosson@Watkinson.org, (860) 236-5618 x113.