The North Branch School, founded in 2001, is a non-profit, independent school serving middle school age children (grades 7-9). The school is officially recognized by the State of Vermont and meets or exceeds all licensing standards. The school is a 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt entity.
The North Branch School was founded by parents who shared a vision of a small school tailored to the unique needs of early adolescents. The founding philosophy is centered on a school concept that promotes self-directed and active learning, incorporates students’ emotional, intellectual, and growth issues, emphasizes experiential and outdoor education, and fosters a strong community based upon close student-teacher-parent relationships. With twenty-seven students and a low student/teacher ratio, The North Branch School has the ability to build a flexible, personalized and engaging environment.
The curriculum is designed as a three-year experience encouraging a safe, intimate learning community in which students can make the important transition from the elementary grades to high school. Middle school-age children undergo tremendously complex and exciting cognitive, psychological, social, and physical changes. The North Branch School is committed to using those changes as an organizing touchstone throughout the curriculum—as a way of educating the whole child and making school relevant to heart, mind, body and soul.
The North Branch School was founded by parents who shared a vision of a small school tailored to the unique needs of early adolescents. The founding philosophy is centered on a school concept that promotes self-directed and active learning, incorporates students’ emotional, intellectual, and growth issues, emphasizes experiential and outdoor education, and fosters a strong community based upon close student-teacher-parent relationships. With twenty-seven students and a low student/teacher ratio, The North Branch School has the ability to build a flexible, personalized and engaging environment.
The curriculum is designed as a three-year experience encouraging a safe, intimate learning community in which students can make the important transition from the elementary grades to high school. Middle school-age children undergo tremendously complex and exciting cognitive, psychological, social, and physical changes. The North Branch School is committed to using those changes as an organizing touchstone throughout the curriculum—as a way of educating the whole child and making school relevant to heart, mind, body and soul.
We always conceive of our students as bold divers, going down and seeking. We believe in them as ones who believe in somewhere, who will go with full heart and faith into the difficult thing. Our dream is to see them break the surface and emerge having done that difficult thing, bringing up meaning where otherwise there would be little; exploring and mapping landscapes of experience, inner questions, and personal texts; opening up to a community of different minds; and defining value where otherwise there would be none.
- Tal Birdsey, Co-founder and Head Teacher of the North Branch School
