The Village School philosophy is to promote children’s physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development by making available to them the stimulating materials, motivating curricula, and guidance needed to develop at their own pace and in their own style. The school places great emphasis on individual attention, and develops curriculum for each class based on observations of the children’s use of materials in the school environment, and of the children’s interactions with peers. To meet this end, the day is organized as a series of opportunities for the children to participate in large and small groups, to play alone, to join teacher-directed activities or to choose their own.

We believe that the opportunity to work in small groups is an invaluable support and stimulus to each child’s development of language, cooperative skills and problem-solving abilities, as children think about the experiences or materials at hand with others who share their interest. A resource teacher (not assigned a group of children) is available to assist and support classroom activities, and to help facilitate opportunities for children to work in small groups.

We support an anti-bias approach to curriculum development that encourages the sharing of different perspectives and feelings among children, and involves children directly in conflict resolution and in conversation about fairness, as they become able to participate. We strive to help children find common ground in shared experiences as we support a growing tolerance for and appreciation of the rich diversity among individuals.

We believe that in order to offer children the best possible program in school we need to assure that avenues for meaningful and on-going communication with parents are nurtured, and that parents feel their insights and perspectives are valued in partnership with teachers on behalf of the children. In order to offer opportunities to educate parents about each child’s program and about general child development issues, the school offers workshops for parents, maintains a lending library of child development literature and books for children, and publishes a monthly newsletter. These support and enhance the direct communication systems established by teachers for each classroom.

1. To provide an educational, stimulating, loving, happy, honest, compassionate school environment in which children can develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally at their own rates.

2. To develop a close relationship between school and home, involving parents in many aspects of the school; to educate parents in many aspects of the school including curriculum, child psychology, human growth and development.

3. To maintain good relations with St. Michael's Church and the communities from which students come.

4. To fulfill a duty as an institution in the world, working towards better human understanding and cooperation.