Plumfield Academy
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Is Plumfield Right for Your Family?

As a Charlotte Mason school, Plumfield Academy seeks to work in partnership with families who share a common vision of education.

Who was Charlotte Mason.

 

 Begin with the end in mind: What is the goal of education?

For Charlotte Mason, the goal of education is the magnanimous person.

"A magnanimous person thinks great thoughts, but also is generous in over looking injury or insult - for example, he or she arises above pettiness or animosity.  His intellectual pursuits do not make him 'too good' to do lowly chores."(Andreola, A Charlotte Mason Companion, 277)

A magnanimous person is open, forgiving, non-pretentious, generous in self-giving, and, therefore, a pleasure to be with.

 

How do we work towards this inspiring ideal? 

The short answer is --

  • We maintain a person honoring atmosphere,

  • Inspire students with living ideas, and

  • Cultivate sound habits

For Charlotte Mason, the cultivation of sound habits lies at the heart of true education, as she once observed:  

 “If we fail to ease life by laying down habits of right thinking and right acting, habits of wrong thinking and wrong acting fix themselves of their own accord." (Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education, 101)

Therefore, at Plumfield, we seek to cultivate:

  • the spiritual habits of prayer, Scripture reading, love of nature, and reverence for life.
  • the intellectual habits of attention, humility, curiosity, accountability, clear thinking, and self expression.
  • the moral habits of truthfulness, courage, fortitude, integrity and service.
  • the relational habits of justice, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, helpfulness, and courtesy.

 

With this goal in mind, we serve the family and the child

Plumfield Academy exists to support families who are striving to live this way of life in their homes on a daily basis. We believe parents are the first educators of their children.  And if the goal of education is the magnanimous person, then it is abundantly clear that the school supports the home in the work of education, not the other way around.

Plumfield Academy exists for the children's sake.  Our approach to life fosters a simple, unhurried childhood.  Children at Plumfield are not pushed into a premature adolescence, but are free to be who they truly are in order to develop their academic and relational gifts to the full. Therefore, Plumfield Academy is a good learning place for children who are happy to be children.

Children who:

  • love to learn,
  • are positive and creative,
  • enjoy hearing and telling good stories,
  • delight in music, art, and drama,
  • love playing outdoors, and
  • enjoy imaginative games of their own making.

If the vision of education outlined on this page speaks to the deepest desires of your heart, you may want to continue to explore this web site.  The site is designed to provide a clear picture of the spirit, practices, and goals of Plumfield Academy in order to aid you in your decision-making process.  We invite you now to hear What Parents Say About Plumfield to discover how Plumfield Academy is working to serve the needs of these families. Also see What is Unique About Plumfield.

 
Original Plumfield group
with teacher, Janet Koza
  

"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being little.

 

Do you desire to construct a vast lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. 

 

The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be it's foundation."

St. Augustine







 

 

 

 
Plumfield Academy     123 Dayton Street   Danvers, MA     978-304-0273      info@plumfieldacademy.org