Full Circle School

Knowledge Begins in Wonder The peal of an old school bell rings out through the woods. Ancient oaks, centuries old, tower beside the schoolhouse. Even before you have entered through the door, you know you have arrived at a very special place. Another school day begins in testament to the idea that knowledge begins in wonder. For more than two decades, children from Western Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire have walked the path through the woods to Full Circle School. Sons and daughters of businessmen and carpenters, farmers and filmmakers, teachers and poets walk through these woods. The path leads into a classroom filled with children's voices and music playing quietly in the background. It is an educational path less traveled; one paved with acorns and pinecones - one inspired by Plato, Jefferson, and Thoreau. Learn more about Full Circle School on the Web: http://www.fullcircleschoolinc.org
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful, safe, warm environment. Students choose topics to study in Art, Geography, History and Science, learning research and organizational skills as well as the topic at hand. Well-structured math and Language Arts. Students become study group leaders in their 5th and 6th year and are true academic and behavioral role models. Seemingly unstructured, there is such an infrastructure created by the directors and other teachers that the kids are always learning. Older students help guide younger students, everyone shares information. As the director or the school said when talking about students who had been accepted at a rigorous middle school after finishing up at Full Circle: 'They are honor students without even knowing it.' Students know the expectations and attain or surpass them. Ungraded, the students truly value what they learn. This unassuming school is a gift. We are always happy to have graduates apply to the school where I work.
--Submitted by a parent