Inspired by the Waldorf philosophy of education, Stone Circle School seeks the healthy development of the whole child - head, heart, and hands. This approach helps children acquire a love for learning that both enriches their intellect and deepens their curiosity and appreciation of the natural world. It is this genuine inner enthusiasm for learning that the school promotes.

Students are also educated in recognition of their unique spirits and in rhythm with their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional development. Children are assigned to age-appropriate groups where self-expression and the wholeness of life are woven into every lesson. Main lesson themes are explored over a period of weeks and are integrated into all program activities so that children recognize the interconnectedness of subject areas.

The main learning place for our school is a one-room schoolhouse built around 1840. The warm, comforting atmosphere of this historical schoolhouse brings a continuity to our program and, at times, seems to bring time itself to a gentle stroll. The schoolhouse is surrounded by open meadows, gardens, and woods that inspire group games, imaginative play, and a variety of activities that foster exploration, creativity, and cooperation. Rain or shine, students often experience educational opportunities offered by nature and the outdoors.

Quotations That Reflect Our Philosophy:

• "A school should not be a preparation for life. A school should be life." - Elbert Hubbard
• "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand." - Chinese Proverb
• "The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren
• "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein
• "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

Sample Activities:

• Morning circle
• Main Lesson
• Mathematics
• Reading & writing
• Storytelling
• Outdoor play in all seasons
• Spanish
• Games
• Music & string ensemble
• Painting & handwork
• Earth Arts
• Cooperative school cleanup

Parents Speak about Stone Circle School:

• "Because of the warm, caring environment, my child actually looks forward to going to school each day."
• "Each child's learning potential is acknowledged and nurtured, rather than tested and extracted."
• "As a former teacher myself, I am so relieved to see that my child's unique personality, skills, and intelligence are worked with rather than worked against."
• "Nothing beats the warm familiarity offered by a one-room schoolhouse environment. I'm so happy to see my son in an atmosphere where everybody knows one another."
• "Rather than learning about details in a disconnected, out-of-context manner, the kids learn within a meaningful context so that they truly understand and remember what they learn."
• "The small size of the school offers a level of intimacy that is so uncommon of these days."

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Stone Circle School - 399 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
For information, call us at: 607-273-5184 or fill out our contact form.

Stone Circle School does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.