Step into the realm of educational excellence with the 2024 Living Greenwich Independent School Guide – Spring Edition; a trusted resource for Greenwich-area parents seeking in-depth information on the best independent schools and programs available for their children.
Imagine a world where your child’s potential is nurtured, where their curiosity takes flight, and where their unique talents are celebrated.
Independent schools, with their vibrant tapestry of diversity, stand as beacons of innovation and inspiration. In this guide, you’ll unearth a treasure trove of insights into these exceptional institutions that tailor their curricula towards igniting your child’s passion for learning.
There is a wide diversity among independent schools, allowing you to find a school with an innovative and exciting curriculum that is an excellent fit for your child. Whether co-ed or single sex, day school or boarding school, religious or not religiously affiliated, each independent school is driven by its own unique philosophy, values, and approach to teaching. Within these hallowed halls, your child will not only grasp the foundations of knowledge but will also learn to question, to reason, and to embrace the boundless joy of learning for life.
Beyond the classroom, a universe of opportunities awaits. Imagine your child exploring the realms of athletics, unleashing their artistic talents, and taking the helm as leaders. The ethos of independent schools encompasses far more than academics; it’s about nurturing well-rounded individuals who can conquer challenges and chase dreams.
As you peruse the 2024 Independent School Guide – Spring Edition, remember that behind every entry lies a vibrant community, a collective of educators, students, and parents driven by a common purpose. Independent schools attract exceptional teachers who usually teach in their areas of expertise and are passionate about developing a full understanding of each student’s learning style, interests, and motivation. Plus class sizes tend to be smaller and low student/teacher ratios foster valuable connections between instructors and students.
Independent schools also cultivate an environment of regular (and open) communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
Where to begin? Consider the Living Greenwich 2024 Independent School Guide Spring Edition as your passport to the boundless opportunities and worlds of brilliance that await your child’s eager footsteps. As you explore the guide, keep in mind that your quest doesn’t end with the pages you read. It’s only the beginning of a journey that invites you to connect, engage, and experience. We urge you to delve deep, to immerse yourself in the culture and offerings of each school, and to journey to their virtual corridors by clicking through to their websites. Then reach out to faculty, schedule campus visits, and immerse yourself in the environment that could become your child’s second home.
Note: Featured image above courtesy of The Long Ridge School | Celebrating Childhood, Preparing for the Future. Home page hero image for this independent School Guide courtesy of German International School New York | Offer your child academic excellence and the gift of bilingual education.
Independent School Directory
Scroll Down to Peruse All Independent Schools – Or Click on Any Name Below to Visit a Specific Independent School Overview. Each Independent School opens in a new tab in your browser – to return to this index page and view additional schools, just return to this tab.
- German International School New York | Offer your child academic excellence and the gift of bilingual education.
- King School | The Power of Wonder.
- The Long Ridge School | Celebrating Childhood, Preparing for the Future.
- The Mead School | Joyful Learning. Deeper Mastery.
- Sacred Heart Greenwich | Transforming the world one girl at a time.
- Whitby School | WHITBY KIDS ARE FUTURE-READY
- Winston Prep Connecticut | Education for the Individual
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Independent School Showcase
Expand your child’s world at German International School New York (GISNY), an independent, bilingual Pre-K through Grade 12 college preparatory school where locals and expats alike receive remarkable preparation for wherever the future takes them.
GISNY is unique in offering both the NYS High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, opening doors to prestigious global universities. German-inspired and internationally minded, GISNY motivates students to experiment, collaborate, create, and think critically as they build their well-rounded educational foundation. Our small, vibrant community is dedicated to nurturing both the mind and the heart, providing a safe and welcoming environment that feels like an extended family. Located close to New York City, our beautiful campus offers wide-open green spaces with plenty of room to explore, play, or just recharge.
Our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs feature small class sizes and expansive, nature-centric learning environments on our 20-acre campus. Children aged 3 to 5 benefit from our Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Program, immersing them in outdoor activities while gradually becoming bilingual by first grade through the “One teacher – one language” approach. German is not required to enter Pre-K or Kindergarten!
With a commitment to individualized attention, GISNY maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized support and guidance for each student. Recognized as “Excellent German School Abroad”, the benefits of the GISNY experience are unmatched. Here, your child will find everything they need for all that comes next.
Explore more about GISNY’s offerings and join our next Open House or schedule a private campus tour. Their world is waiting.
Upcoming Open House Dates 2024:
- April 20, only for Pre-K & Kindergarten (in person, nature classroom), 10:00 – 11:30 am
- May 15 for Pre-K to 12 (virtual), 3:00 – 4:00 pm
German International School New York (GISNY)
50 Partridge Road, White Plains, NY 10605
+1 914 948 6513Website:
www.gisny.org
At King School, we don’t believe the smartest person in the room is the one with all the answers, it’s the one with all the questions. We welcome the curious ones – the ones who aren’t afraid to ask why, to try something new, to get it wrong before they get it right. We look for open minds and courageous thinking.
We believe in the power of wonder. This begins with students becoming agents in their own learning. When students are exploring, reflecting, questioning, evaluating, making connections — and teachers are creating and guiding these moments of discovery — students are truly learning. This is what we call inquiry-based learning, and it is what we do at King at every grade level and in every discipline.
Our students develop a research mindset and apply that approach to all subject matters. From discovering the world around them in Prekindergarten to crafting complex and multidisciplinary senior projects, King students embrace learning through discovery, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
Every aspect of the King experience prioritizes and optimizes engagement — from the wide variety of active, immersive learning experiences to intentional efforts to reach each and every student. True engagement at King is the entire community’s commitment to excellence in learning.
We believe in the power of community. A community that celebrates multiple backgrounds and perspectives. We learn from one another and become stronger together. Our students come from 40 different towns. We are a global community with more than 70 countries represented. There is no one type of student at King. Our students have multiple interests and our school offers opportunities to explore them.
We know that wondering minds go further. By the time they graduate, our students have more than learned, they learned how to learn. The world is rapidly changing; we might not know what the future will bring, but we know we’ll be ready – ready to succeed and better prepared to better the world!
Visit our campus to learn more about King School. We have two special events coming up this spring. On Saturday, April 27, join us for an Earth Day Celebration for children ages 2 to 10. On Thursday, May 2, join us for an information session on navigating the independent school admission process.
Discover a unique environment where young children flourish through an education designed just for them. With an exclusive focus on nursery and elementary school students, and a progressive, individualized approach, Long Ridge nurtures each child’s strengths and interests, engaging and challenging the youngest learners in a safe, joyful setting.
Within our expansive, idyllic campus, we offer an experiential, interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages inquiry and creative thinking both inside and outside the classroom. Our graduates are more than well prepared for whatever comes next—from the secondary schools of their choice to rewarding careers that build on the passions they first explored in their formative years at Long Ridge.
Since our founding over 85 years ago, social-emotional development has been at the core of our mission. Our multi-age, two-year classrooms and low student-teacher ratio foster meaningful relationships—and as older students learn alongside younger ones, they develop confidence, empathy, cooperation, and leadership skills.
As our founder Harriet Rowland said, Long Ridge is a place where “loving kindness prevails,” and that philosophy extends to our students’ families. We welcome all to be part of our inclusive, down-to-earth community of parents, teachers, and students who deeply value education—and who join us in collaboratively building for each student the foundation for a fulfilling future.
Admissions Events/Tours
For more information or to schedule a personal tour contact the Admissions Office by completing the online inquiry form, email or phone 203.322.7693
The Mead School is a progressive, independent school in Stamford that provides challenging and engaging hands-on, project-based curriculum. Supported by intentionally small class sizes, Mead cultivates an environment where each child is deeply known and understood by their teachers. Multiple approaches and creative solutions to problems can be fully explored, and projects across disciplines are easily engaged.
Each student belongs to a multi-aged “Home Center” led by a social-emotional advocate (the Home Center Director) – an experienced faculty member whose singular, full-time role is to focus on the academic and social-emotional development of their students.
At Mead, schedules are truly built for students and the expressive arts are highly valued, along with academics, reflection, and outdoor time.
Our graduates are self-advocates and capable problem-solvers. They are resilient, flexible, and self-aware. Mead School graduates are well-poised to succeed as they move on to high school and beyond.
Visit our website to schedule a tour or sign up for an upcoming Admissions event.
Located on a bucolic 110+ acre campus, Sacred Heart Greenwich offers girls and young women access to state-of-the-art facilities, inspiring and experienced teachers, and a dynamic curriculum that forges values with leadership formation.
Sacred Heart Greenwich is part of the Sacred Heart network of schools located in 41 countries that share a mission and vision exemplified by a common set of Goals and Criteria focused on faith, intellect, justice, community, and wisdom.
Founded in 1848, Sacred Heart Greenwich is an all-girls, independent, Catholic school, that educates and empowers students to pursue excellence, build courage and confidence, and lead lives of purpose and integrity. The School also offers a coed preschool program at their Barat Center for Early Childhood Education.
Sacred Heart Greenwich envisions a world where all girls and women are able to shape the future through learning and service. We transform the world, one girl at a time.
We can’t predict the future, but we know that our children will face a world that is very different from today.
At Whitby, we meet this challenge head-on by creating an environment designed to develop vibrant, inquiring minds and a love of learning. Our unique combination of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs, along with our informed teaching and learning model, creates a deeply personalized educational experience for every child.
Whitby students are innately curious and have the knowledge and confidence to find their way in a 21st-century world.
More About Whitby
Located in Greenwich CT, Whitby is a co-educational independent school that provides educational continuity for children 18 months through Grade 8 in the Fairfield-Westchester area. The premier Whitby Montessori Children’s House three-year program and the highly-recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Grades 1-8 form the foundation for our educational continuum. Whitby students are empowered to think creatively and critically, preparing them as life-long learners and global citizens.
Winston Preparatory School Connecticut is a highly individualized private day school for students in grades 3-12 with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD).
At Winston Prep, we know the key to helping students succeed lies in deeply understanding every student and continually tailoring their academic program to meet their needs. Before your child spends their first day at Winston Prep, we spend weeks designing an academic program that fits their needs and future goals. Throughout their educational journey, our faculty continuously assess how your child responds to their skill development plan and will adjust their teaching approach based on that.
The Focus program is another key component of our highly dynamic model of research-based teaching methods. Focus teachers work one-to-one with each student daily for individualized instruction, ensuring your child’s program continually evolves as they develop.
Winston Prep Connecticut also offers many opportunities for students to explore community service, visual and performing arts, and athletics. Through our robust and supportive community, students develop the confidence they need to thrive as independent learners.
The results do not go unnoticed. Over 80% of Winston Prep graduates attend college, while the national average is only 33% for students with learning disabilities.
Register for an upcoming Open House at winstonprep.edu/open-houses or contact our Admissions Director, Michelle Rolfe, directly at mrolfe@winstonprep.edu.
