The New Village School

New Village School has been a steady, warm, and welcoming home away from home for my two kids since kindergarten (daughter) and 1st grade (son) - now in 6th and 8th grade. The school has flexed and changed, growing through the pandemic, yet remained steadfast in its inquiry-based, hands-on approach to education. I appreciate that while Waldorf-inspired, the school has a modern, global perspective that is not dogmatic. The outdoors, both wild and cultivated, are a significant part of the student's experience and the emphasis on giving students enough breathing room to learn at their own pace, has been extremely beneficial to both of my kids.

Top Reasons We Love This School. No/low screen policy. Your children won't be parked in front of a screen for hours at a time like some other schools. Instead, your children will draw, do hand crafts, build things in a workshop, perform in plays, sing, etc. You will be part of a community that wants to limit screens for our children.2.Classroom Without Walls. Once a week, each class spends a day exploring the outdoors. It may be a hike on Mount Tam, a day at the beach, visiting a museum, walking around the neighborhood, spending time on "The Land", a spot in Novato (owned by the school) where there are animals, fruit trees, and lots of opportunities to grow and harvest from the land. 3.Creating citizens of the world. There is an intentional plan to broaden the childrens' horizons outside of Marin. It starts with a local sleepover in 3rd grade, moves to a 4 night away at an Outdoors School in Shasta in 4th, a week in Joshua Tree in 5th, a trip to Mexico in 6th, another international trip in 7th (typically Europe), and possibly a trip to Patagonia in 8th. For the 7th grade trip, the children do their own fundraising for the trip. All of the trips are designed to encourage self sufficiency and exploration and well as experiencing local cultures and meeting with students abroad. With these experiences, they build confidence, character and a sense of their place in the world. In addition, many of the wonderful teachers there speak a second language and the students have lessons in Russian, Punjabi, Spanish and Japanese.4.Committed teachers and small class size. The teachers are so caring, committed and loving, and each offer so much depth to the lessons. They get to know the students over the years (the school goes from preschool to 8th grade). In addition, the class sizes are relatively small, which gives way for more intimate and individualized learning.5.School community. The children make friends across different grades and this community of engaged parents is unlike what I've seen in many other schools. The parents work to organize an all NVS family camping trip, transform the school into a magical space for Winter Faire, organize community get togethers and just like to hang out together and chat over Friday Coffee. This school is a very sweet and unique school. It's Waldorf-inspired with a focus on nature, hands-on learning. We love it here.

The New Village School in Sausalito offers an outstanding Waldorf-inspired education that has been transformative for our two sons. The emphasis on outdoor learning, including the school's farm in Novato, fosters a deep appreciation for nature and sustainable living. Hands-on learning opportunities, such as woodworking, develop self-reliance, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The school's caring community and dedicated teachers create a nurturing environment where each child is seen and supported. Exciting travel opportunities, like our eldest son's trips to Mexico, Europe, and the upcoming Patagonia journey, provide invaluable cultural experiences and global perspectives. The New Village School educates the whole child - mind, body, and spirit - producing confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals. We feel fortunate to have found this exceptional school and highly recommend it to any family seeking a unique and enriching educational experience.

I've worked at New Village School for 5 years and I am proud to be part of a community that truly values creativity, connection, & hands-on learning. Our unique approach blends experiential education with a nature-based, arts-imbued curriculum that inspires curiosity and critical thinking in students from preschool through 8th grade. We place a strong emphasis on nurturing the whole child-socially, emotionally, and academically-within a warm and supportive environment. Our students engage deeply with their learning through immersive projects, outdoor adventures, and a curriculum that evolves to meet the needs of a changing world. What sets us apart is our commitment to building human connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and cultivating a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. With small class sizes and a dedicated faculty, each child is seen, heard, and supported in their individual growth. We invite families seeking a thoughtful, holistic education to join our community.

One day my child comes home and asks me, "What is your favorite thing?" I think about it, and hem and haw. "I am not sure, maybe hot springs? What about you?" "School. My favorite thing is school. You should have a favorite thing like school too."Well, in fact, I do have a favorite thing: this school! My child comes home every day excited. She wakes up every day excited. She is disappointed during weekends and vacations. And rightly so. The education she is receiving is excellent on all levels: in terms of academics, social-emotional learning, supportive community, and development of autonomy and inner joy in children. I never thought an institution like this could exist and in this place!

I am so happy and grateful that we found New Village! There's a deep breath of relief within me when I think of the school and what it means to us. The sense of community and connection between parents, kids, and teachers is palpable and nourishing. And the joy of seeing my child thrive both socially and academically. I absolutely recommend this wonderful school with all my heart. Since the classes are comparatively smaller I know that the teacher is able to be fully present with each child. Another aspect I appreciate is the wholesome way letters and numbers are introduced to the younger students. And of course, the amount of time they get to be outdoors and not just any random park, but the kids get to explore the beauty and wilderness of the coastline and beyond.

As a father of two daughters who began their educational journey at The New Village School starting in Kindergarten, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact this institution has had on their development. One of my daughters graduated in 2023 and is now thriving at Tam High School, while the other is set to graduate in two years. The peace of mind I felt on their first day at The New Village School is something I will always cherish.The New Village School has been a steadfast anchor in our lives, radiating kindness and inspiration. From the very beginning, there has been an undeniable sense of belonging. The school's focus on nurturing social-emotional intelligence within a vibrant and diverse community has fostered tremendous self-awareness and a strong sense of purpose in both of my children. The inclusion of outdoor activities, travel, and engagement with contemporary themes, combined with a rich hands-on learning experience, has yielded remarkable results.The teachers at The New Village School are not only accessible and available but also deeply passionate, caring, and kind. The parent community is inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and genuinely interesting. The school's commitment to a screen-free childhood, small class sizes, individualized attention, and a curriculum tailored to developmental stages has led to impressive academic outcomes.I wholeheartedly recommend The New Village School to anyone seeking a child-centric education that cultivates a love of learning, active participation, and a sense of responsibility in their children.