The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences

Best school I have ever attended! I was there from 4th-8th grade and graduated in 2012(3?). I have made lasting friends and great memories. Truly a wonderful school!

We have two extremely active and inquisitive young boys.  As parents, we were seeking a learning environment that fosters both gross motor and fine motor skills in equal measure.  By that I mean, we wanted our boys to learn the correct pencil grip and scissor skills but we also wanted them to be able to move freely in their natural environment running, kicking, digging in the mud.  We were seeking the perfect mix of focused inside classroom learning and unstructured outside learning.  The Gardner School was a perfect fit for us from the very beginning.

In addition to the amazing thematic based academics including weekly music, art and Spanish lessons, the boys spend quality time outside each day.  That could be exploring the frogs and creepy crawlies in the campus wetlands or learning ethnobotany and entomology in the Gardener garden.  My preschoolers particular outside favorite is digging and building in the enormous sand and mud dig area under the evergreens behind the school.

The staff does an excellent job of listening and observing the child at play in their natural environment and taking small moments to teach lessons.  Yesterday my child was observing a 'yellow bird' at the feeder and his teacher took the time to stop and talk with him about it.  They looked up the bird in a field guide book, learned its name (American Goldfinch), gender and its favorite food.  She photocopied that page and let him keep it so he could teach us (he loves to know something his big brother doesn't).  That is just one of many instances of the Gardener staff teaching the boys how to become life long learners by encouraging their boundless energy and curiosity.

I could go on and on about the positive experiences we have had the last year and half at The Gardener School.   If you are looking for a well rounded, whole child learning experience The Gardener School does a fantastic job.
If you are even just a tad bit curious, schedule a visit.

This is our third year at the school, and I can't imagine my son being anywhere else. The children are outside every day with activities created to maximize the use of the wetlands and garden. The school curriculum keeps them interacting with the community through many, many field trips and community projects. And, every week my child is engrossed in enriching art, music, science and physical education programs. (On top of the awesome thematic based curriculum) My son absolutely adores being at school, and has already developed a true responsibility for himself, his community, the earth, and humanity. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing faculty, staff, and parent community at this school.

I never planned on having my children at a private school once public school was an option, but when shopping for preschools we stumbled upon this gem, and now cannot imagine leaving the Gardner School. Everyone on campus -- the teachers, the staff, the head of school, the students -- are a walking, talking example of the mission of the school (which, by the way, made me cry the first time I heard it). My two sons (age 6 and age 4) LOVE school, love their teachers, love their peers and LOVE learning --- which in my mind fulfills on everything I want for my kids out of their school experience. They are related to with respect, and are honored for their individual strengths and personalities. They have the experience of being "known" by everyone on campus, adults and fellow students alike. I enjoy watching the older students interact with them with such interest and patience, and hope that my boys grow up to have the character I see in the older students at the school. We hope to be here for many years to come!