New Country School (Closed 2010)

969 Pequawket Trail (Rt 113)
West Baldwin, ME 04091
New Country School offers a continuous progress, multi-age educational program for children 3 to 12 years of age.
NCS strives to practice the principles of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences where students learn in a nurturing, cooperative environment through hands-on, integrated experiences.
Our teachers use a child-centered, developmental approach in planning their curricula.
Each child is considered individually and guided in his/her education based on personal interests, abilities, needs and background.

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1972

Student Body

Total Students
16 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
New Country School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
100%
Average Class Size
9 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Jennifer Pettit

School Notes

  • New Country School is an independent school, begun in 1972, in the village of West Baldwin, ME. At New Country School, each child is respected as an individual with his or her own special interests and needs. We foster close relationships among teachers, students and parents. NCS students are encouraged to develop the self-confidence necessary to make independent judgments. The classroom is structured to offer periods of teacher-directed learning, and periods when a child may choose a learning center or independent project. The program provides a combination of large and small group learning situations, as well as individual instruction. We believe that by offering a variety of learning situations, we provide children with a well-rounded experience, giving them an opportunity to prosper in the situation that suits them best. At New Country School, ideas are explored and creativity is celebrated within a context of respect and caring. We teach that all people deserve the respect of others. Rules exist to provide guidelines for the respect of our environment and all of its inhabitants.
  • History: New Country School was founded in 1972 as an ungraded program for children aged 3 to 8 years. The founding parents were dedicated to the following principles:
  • They wanted children to be respected as people with their own special interests, abilities and challenges.
  • They wanted children to develop the self-confidence necessary to allow them to make independent judgments.
  • They wanted a school that encouraged cooperation amongst children and between children and adults.
  • They wanted a program which promoted a deep respect for, and understanding of, all living things. It is upon these principles that New Country School was conceived, and they continue to be at the core of all interactions and activities at the school today.
  • Philosophy: New Country School offers a continuous progress, multi-age educational program for children 3 to 12 years of age. NCS strives to practice the principles of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences where students learn in a nurturing, cooperative environment through hands-on, integrated experiences. Our teachers use a child-centered, developmental approach in planning their curricula. Each child is considered individually and guided in his/her education based on personal interests, abilities, needs and babased on personal interests, abilities, needs and background. New Country School is committed to the growth of the whole child, both as a unique human being and as a member of the larger community. Respect, independence and self-confidence are central to all we teach. NCS is committed to serving students of varied backgrounds, and to developing a classroom atmosphere which draws strength from positive recognition of diversity.
  • General Program Structure: An exciting aspect of all New Country School programs is the opportunity for all students to become an integral part of our larger school community. Multi-age interaction provides many unique opportunities for the personal growth and development of our students. New Country School emphasizes a process-oriented approach to learning. The classrooms are structured to offer both periods of teacher-directed learning and periods where the children engage in independent learning. In order to motivate students who have a wide variety of learning styles, our instructional format includes:
  • Small and large group discussions
  • Hands-on experiments
  • Class texts and reading materials
  • Individual subject choices
  • Short-term assignments and long-term projects
  • Guest speakers and field trips
  • Games and activities
  • Movies and videos
  • Lectures
  • Computers
  • Music
  • Foreign Language instruction
  • In contrast to more traditional learning institutions, homework is not a large part of the New Country School curriculum. Children are taught to manage their time, so as to finish their work during the school day. This leaves after school hours free for quality family time and extracurricular interests. While the curriculum used at NCS is unique compared to other school programs, New Country School focuses on providing students with the fundamental skills to succeed in any educational setting. Children are taught a love of learning and strategies to effectively gather information from the world around them. New Country School students are instilled with a respect for themselves and for others.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline for New Country School?
The application deadline for New Country School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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