Philosophy

Though High Meadow School has grown and continues to evolve in response to the latest research in child development and education, it holds fast to its philosophical roots in the progressive education genesis and traditions…

In 1896, John Dewey, an educator, philosopher and psychologist established The Laboratory School in Chicago. He had 2 motivating factors: (1) a desire to test his theory that children learn best by doing and (2) a concern that as American culture became increasingly mechanized and its communities more far-flung, its children would lose the opportunity to participate in the democratic principles by which small towns operated.

At the very heart of progressive education lies 4 principles:

• Education should prepare students to participate actively in a free, diverse and democratic society.
• Education should have the learner, not the teacher or the subject matter, at the center of the classroom experience.
• Education should be intrinsically, not extrinsically motivating.
• Teachers are the researchers in their classroom and are in collaboration with each other and the child to find the best way for that child to learn.

Everything we do at High Meadow School reflects these beliefs- whether building relationships with and between children or with and between parents; creating curriculum; performing community service or communicating via whole school assemblies and presentations, staff meetings or parent meetings. Whenever any element of the program or experience is changed, we are particularly considerate and mindful of the benefit or loss to what High Meadow School stands for.