Plumfield Academy claims no credit for the beauty of our philosophy of education.  The following distinctive traits all

trace back to the British educational reformer Charlotte Mason (1842 -1923). We can only say what she herself once said, “We have stumbled upon a good thing.”

 

 

What’s Unique About Plumfield?

And how it might benefit your child and your family.

 

Plumfield Academy is a private Christian school which operates in a non-traditional setting.   Our twenty four students meet in a large farm house built in 1875.  Small tables, set near windows, are available for individual work.  Classes, which meet around large tables, enjoy an 8/1 student/teacher ratio.  Our students wear comfortable clothing which allows them to sled, build forts, and engage in other types of active outdoor play.

 

As a Charlotte Mason school, our philosophy of education is rooted in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ, who says, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”  Jesus is for us Eternal Wisdom, the Teacher of all teachers, and our example of what it means to live a free, loving, and authentic human life. See: Philosophy of Education

 

We use “Living Books” instead of traditional school text books. (Math excepted)  At Plumfield, your child will be put into direct contact with great thinkers through well written books.  Our teachers will read to (and with) your child from classic children's literature, Great Books, and works written by experts in their field.  Through these “living books,” your child will interact with historians, biographers, philosophers, novelists, explorers, scientists, poets, and artists.   See: Great Books/Book List

 

We believe that a student's intellect must be fed while basic skills are gradually mastered.  For most of the elementary years, a child’s intellectual capacity will far exceed his or her reading skill.  A child who reads books only on his or her reading level will be intellectually impoverished. If this child’s mind is to be fed, he or she must be read to by a caring adult from our best books.  At Plumfield, your child (by being read to) will experience a daily immersion in stimulating ideas and beautiful language. He or she will also practice  the essential skills of silent and oral reading, spelling, handwriting, and typing on a daily basis.

 

Narration is our basic methodology. At Plumfield, your child will learn and be tested by telling what he or she knows through written, oral or artistic narrations. Each period of reading or observation will be followed by a time of telling.  At the end of a unit or term, your child will write (or dictate) essay exams covering what has been learned in all areas of study.  Narrating in all subjects will train your child in two essential life skills: observation and communication. See: Mason Methodology

 

We believe learning to write well rests on the foundation of reading  excellent books, coupled with narration. As a developing writer, your child will be provided with a rich array of stories on which to work.  He or she will reconstruct fables, myths, Bible stories and exciting historical narratives. Your child’s creative writing will flow from this rich exposure to characters, themes, and language.   See: How We Teach Writing

 

Plumfield provides scores of opportunities for hands on learning and exploration in nature.  Your child will work with wood, clay, stones, tiles, yarn, and fabrics to make lovely and useful handcrafts. He or she will utilize materials and manipulatives for hands-on science and math.  On frequent nature study field trips, your child will explore the world of insects, animals, trees, rocks, streams, and rivers.

Learning occurs in a non-competitive environment.  Plumfield students do not compete with each other for rank, rewards, or prizes.  The focus is on learning, and the knowledge gained is its own reward.  We expect our students to work to the best of their ability, to struggle through difficulties, to develop their powers of attention, to grasp what is presented and to make the knowledge their own.  At Plumfield, your child will be guided to work for the pleasure of learning and the reward of producing a product (portfolio) of which he or she can be proud.  See: A Day at Plumfield

 

Developing academic habits is at the heart of our philosophy.  At Plumfield, we will support your child in developing the essential habits of attention, excellence, curiosity, humility, accountability and order.   See: Essential Academic Habits

 

We teach relational skills to prepare your child for interactions in the real world.  Because we emphasize the development of relational habits, your child will grow in self knowledge and confidence and will leave Plumfield with a unique set of interpersonal skills. Our staff will provide your child with strategies for expressing his or her feelings and point of view, and for listening to the feelings and points of view of others. By living in a learning and playing community, your child will experience the effects of right and wrong behavior, and learn the wisdom of mercy and forgiveness. If a conflict arises, he or she will be helped to work through the relational issue.  Dealing directly with relational distress will leave your child free to focus on his or her academic work.  See: Relational Habits

 

Our teachers practice “The Masterful Art of Standing Aside.” Teachers at Plumfield provide access to great authors, artistic materials, and nature, and refrain from hindering your child’s work with long and unnecessary explanations.  In Charlotte Mason’s approach, the teacher assumes the role of philosopher and guide.  See: The Gentle Art of Education

 

We believe old fashion play time builds serious life skills.  Our students play as children used to play: with freedom, imagination, and delight. They play freeze tag, hide and go seek, capture the flag, and jump rope; they establish their own games of soccer, football and basketball; they initiate games of imagination which can go on for days; they build forts, sled, and race up and down the hills. They are very active in all seasons.  Because we understand that play is a need for children of all ages, and not a luxury, our students are given one hour everyday for child-driven free play in the great outdoors.  See what the American Academy of Pediatrics says on the importance of play for healthy child development.

 

Plumfield is like a big family under good guidance. Our 24 children, ages 6 through14, learn together, play together, and grow together.  Mutual respect, respectful words, courtesy, kindness, small acts of service – these are the virtues we practice every day.  Plumfield students work together to establish rules of relating and are the ones who most benefit by them.  Their words testify to the absence of negative peer pressure which leaves them free to focus on their academic work.  See: What Students Say

 

We celebrate life in simple ways. We celebrate each child’s birthday with cake and candles. At Literary Luncheons, students make pizza and discuss the literature book just completed.  During Writer’s Tea, students share apple or blueberry pie and read their literature papers to each other. St. Patrick’s Day ushers in corn beef and cabbage, homemade breads, and Irish music.  To celebrate the Seder Meal, students learn Hebrew songs, decorate the tables, and prepare all the elements of the meal. Every Friday afternoon, the primary grades bake different varieties of deserts for the community.  These simple traditions make life sweet for our children and leave them with delightful memories.

 

Our philosophy of education restores equilibrium. Plumfield students are happy to come to school each day. They actively engage in their academic work and claim the time passes quickly.  Our students do not end the school day dragged out and depleted, but energized.  Children who begin attending Plumfield feeling oppressed and out of sorts generally regain their happiness and sense of balance in a short period of time. See: What Parents Say

 

Our unique homework policy respects the need for family time.  We do not assign traditional homework for students in grades 1-7.  Instead, the evening hours may be used to address academic needs specific to each student.  See: Homework Policy

 

Our philosophy of education benefits the whole family.   We support parents in raising their children in a simple, peaceful, and magnanimous lifestyle.  We want our parents to have time to enjoy their children, to take pleasure in their son's or daughter's academic and personal growth, and to determine how the evening hours are spent in the sanctuary of their own home.  This was Charlotte Mason's ideal 100+ years ago. See: Who was Charlotte Mason?