High Meadows School

42 acres of woods and farm property. Students connect with nature daily and learn both outdoors and in traditional classroom settings with a heavy emphasis on student voice and choice, hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and ethical leadership.

Relationships are at the heart of all we do. Our size and structure allow for the development of deep connections between teacher and student, school and parent, and student and student. High Meadows is far more than an academic institution; it is a community, a family, a place to grow. From our students and parents to our faculty and campus animals, each member of our community contributes to the magic of High Meadows.

$26,765 (highest)

$7,000 (average award)

Early Years (Pre-K through 3rd Grade)
Lower Years (4th and 5th Grade)
Middle Years (6th through 8th Grade)
Connections (Exploratory/Elective classes)

Experiential learning at High Meadows honors each student’s sense of wonder and values their voice. The result is confident and joyful thinkers, doers, and community members.

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we follow principles that develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. Our 42 acres of woods, meadows, and gardens provide the perfect outdoor classroom for daily learning and investigation. We also use a progressive approach to education that encourages students to collaborate, make discoveries, and apply what they learn to the world beyond school.

Pre-K
For three- and four-year-olds, our primary focus is building social/emotional skills that help them develop independence and self-confidence.

In addition to following the practices outlined by the founders of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP), our SAIS-accredited program uses the Reggio Emilia philosophies of early childhood education to influence our classroom spaces and the daily experience of our students. A low student-teacher ratio in classes taught by two experienced teachers allows for strong relationship building and a balance of attention, small group play, and large group activities. Early literacy skills (including reading, writing, and speaking), mathematics, social studies, science, and outdoor education are fully integrated into the daily curriculum. Our 42-acre campus delights young students with organic gardens, playgrounds, open spaces, and a barnyard with ponies, sheep, goats, rabbits, and more.

Kindergarten through third grade
Our experiential and developmentally-driven classrooms offer students a variety of valuable experiences while allowing for a child-centered approach to academic and whole-child growth.

Our Early Years curriculum focuses on core subject content, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), students inquire and learn in classrooms rich in experiential materials, global perspectives, and transdisciplinary learning. They learn to identify components of the IB learner profile in their own actions and in others; experiment with new processes, perspectives, and activities; and reflect on their learning and how it can be applied.

Our Kindergarten students spend bountiful amounts of time enjoying our beautiful 42-acre campus, learning and playing in nature. Young children need movement, play, and time to develop friendships to grow and thrive. Our daily schedule provides ample recess and free-play opportunities to meet these social and physical needs. A wide variety of Connections Classes provide an introduction to experiences that augment their daily school experience.

Our First through Third Grade students build on the academic and social-emotional skills they have learned in younger grades. In addition to expanding their core academic learning, students continue to practice problem-solving, conflict resolution, collaboration, empathy, and leadership skills. Students in early elementary grades have a growing sense of independence and responsibility–both for themselves and their classroom and school communities–while continuing to enjoy a child-centered and developmentally driven program. Play, exploration, and creativity remain vital components of every school day. The typical 10 or 11:1 student-teacher ratio enables various individual, small group, large group, and peer learning experiences.

Fourth and fifth grade
At High Meadows School, students in the Elementary Years spend their time in multiage classrooms with a two-year curriculum. They engage in inquiry, exploration, and planned lessons to study 12 International Baccalaureate units of inquiry over two years. Our student-centered classrooms, featuring low student-to-teacher ratios, promote learning, differentiation, and social-emotional development. Class meetings and student participation in decision-making help foster a strong classroom community.

Continuing with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) curricular framework, Fourth and Fifth Grade elementary students develop as global citizens through exposure to issues that cross geographic boundaries and subject areas. They become more responsible for their own learning, which includes developing their own unit of inquiry for Exhibition, which is a culmination of the Primary Years Programme. Exhibition allows fourth and fifth graders to apply the skills and knowledge acquired through their earlier learning years to a global problem or issue. By investigating solutions and presenting their findings to the entire High Meadows community, students demonstrate the attributes of the learner profile and provide authentic evidence assessment of understanding and development.

As elementary students grow in maturity and ability, they also become more responsible for goal-setting and self-evaluations. Fourth and Fifth Grade students lead their own parent-teacher conferences, selecting work that demonstrates their learning as they reflect on their growth and future objectives. This self-reflection and personal accountability help students develop intrinsic motivation and self-advocacy skills that serve them in high school and beyond. Likewise, authentic assessment practices give parents and students abundant student-specific feedback on progress, strengths, and opportunities for growth.

Middle Years
Middle school students at High Meadows are encouraged to take risks, try new things, learn through experience, and embrace a growth mindset. Within an academic program that is both rich and rigorous, our teachers focus on authentic learning, reflection, and growth. Our graduates not only excel in high school, they carry with them an appreciation for their own talents, gifts, and abilities and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world around them.

Students in Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade are ready for deeper levels of critical and interpretive thinking and expression. The High Meadows middle school program provides students with a robust academic foundation in the core subject areas of English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Spanish, and Science. At High Meadows, our Middle Years students dive into a variety of exciting electives called mini-courses. These classes introduce new passions and nurture existing interests, making learning a joyful adventure.

Students explore diverse subjects like debate, music, technology, theater, fine arts, outdoor living, and more. With 12 mini-courses completed each year, every day is filled with fun and discovery.

While at High Meadows, students can earn high school credits in math and Spanish, and most graduates enroll in advanced and honors classes throughout their high school careers. High Meadows graduates are known to be exceptional critical thinkers, writers, innovators, communicators, and self-advocates. They go on to thrive academically and socially at a wide range of public and private high schools and, later, colleges and universities.

Offered for students.

The middle school debate team has won 21 consecutive state championships.

Aquatic Afternoons, Art, Barnyard, Board Games, Chess, Girls Volleyball, Golf, Harry Potter Club, Karate, Painting, Playball, Running Club, Soccer, Spotlight Stars Musical Theatre, Stay 'n Study, Yoga

Ample Visitor Parking

No uniforms

The High Meadows community celebrates and perpetuates each individual’s quest for knowledge and skill, sense of wonder, and connection to the natural environment. We empower each to be a compassionate, responsible, and active global citizen.

Academic support
Afterschool care
Summer camp