Our Philosophy

What makes the Garden Road unique is a combination of academics and essential qualities that promote a natural, progressive education. The Garden Road fosters each child’s own natural genius and nurtures the development of individual talents and strengths. The Garden Road combines academic learning requirements, as defined by the New York State Department of Education, with fostering more universal human qualities that we believe are equally important. The practice of such qualities as care, cooperation, and patience, is inseparable from our curriculum, as these are part of real-life requirements for all ages.

Our academic approach implements experiential, sensory, all-round learning, with application into practical living. Our studies are integrated with the arts: music, dance, theatre, movement, singing, and fine arts.

The method of learning is one of immersion in a subject, based on the understanding that for retention and comprehension, longer, slower, more continuous processes are best. Each subject is studied in what is known as a "lump-learning" segment of two weeks or longer; so that a child can soak fully in a territory through as many media as possible. This process creates more depth in a child’s understanding of what is being taught.

One of our goals in the Garden Road is for each child to fall in love with learning, so that as many learning channels stay open. Part of our curriculum, which we call "generating options," is providing a myriad of experiences for the children to learn through as many different pathways as possible. This builds self-confidence, 'I can do,' and enables a child to grow into a very well-rounded individual.

In addition to the educational approach, we emphasize the school's ecology, because we understand that the learning environment is very important. The layout and design of the classrooms and play spaces allow learning to be fun and easy, minimizing stress, so as to enhance absorption of the learning process.

Because our school is located in a home environment, children can feel safe inside of a family-like atmosphere. With smaller classes there is more one-on-one attention, and the educators have more direct contact with each child.

The school is a natural community where children, parents, and faculty, along with many other helpers and friends, work together in partnership. Through our communication and cooperation, we can provide this special opportunity for the children, who need the input and support of a community to build a healthy identity. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child."

At the Garden Road, we are proud to be pioneering a new approach to education in America. We are part of a worldwide network of educators in Canada, England, Holland and Israel who are also pioneering similar education philosophies inspired by the Golden Education Template in their countries.

We are passionate about giving the children a good start in life, for they are the future leaders and citizens of the world.