"The Reggio Emilia philosophy is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as capable, resilient, and an active participant in their learning. We believe every child brings their own unique curiosity and potential, and that it is our mission, as educators and caregivers, to discover, support, and deepen each child's innate sense of wonder." -Matthew Hawley, Co-Founder
Welcome to our school!
Meadowlark School is a nature-based, Reggio Emilia inspired learning community for children ages 3-6 years old. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as capable, resilient, and an active participant in their learning. We believe every child brings their own unique curiosity and potential, and that it is our mission, as educators and caregivers, to discover, support, and deepen each child's innate sense of wonder.
Our experienced staff draws on decades of working with children and raising their own families to create an environment where young children can thrive in their mind, body, and spirit. We approach learning from all angles and honor the development of the whole child. This means we integrate academic subjects, life experiences, and community participation as well as play, nature connection, art, music, and self-guided discovery. Our teachers act as nurturing guides who provide uniquely tailored projects and individualized curriculum.
Our program is designed to help children collaborate with each other, engage deeply with our caring teachers, as well as learn from their natural environment. Our beautiful one-acre yard is a vital part of our classroom and play space, and provides ample space to play, garden, build, and get grounded. We spend an average of three hours a day outside, working on a variety of projects and playing.
At Meadowlark School, we encourage self-expression, independence, and a life-long love of learning through a nurturing, beautiful, and rich environment. We welcome you to visit with us and see for yourself!
We are currently enrolling for Summer Camp, Fall Semester 2024, and Spring Semester 2025.
Testimonials
Meadowlark School has been the best decision for our family. They provide the most individualized and understanding care that allows children to be themselves everyday. They meet each child where they are and no child is expected to fit into a cookie cutter mold but encouraged to embrace their own personalities. If any teachers at school are ever having a bad day you would never know. They always appear to be fully present for the children. I love picking him up on nice days when you can tell they have been exploring outside all day because he is more imaginative, focused, and well behaved.
Children even on bad days are always met with mutual respect, care and understanding.
-Amy N., Parent of Meadowlark Student
Our son Charlie attended Meadowlark for 2 1/2 years and absolutely blossomed there. He learned how to work with others, build forts, take care of chickens and make all kinds of art. Charlie began his time at Meadowlark as a shy kiddo who preferred to play by himself, and when he left Meadowlark 2 1/2 years later, he was the most social butterfly! Charlie is also an avid artist and I believe all of the free art he did at Meadowlark really contributed to his love of all creative art. We would recommend this school 100%!!
-Katie Barnes & Max Bittle, 2019 Alumni Parents
Finding amazing childcare that is a great fit is one of the more difficult challenges of being a working parent.
We were blessed to have a nanny for over 4 years who has become like family. She moved onto a new chapter in her life and we had to begin the search for something new.
Meadowlark was recommended to me by several other friends in the community, so I set up a tour to see their facility.
I instantly fell in love with the indoor and outdoor classrooms and huge play yard. Their facility is purposefully designed to minimize distractions and facilitate creative potential. They believe that there is no such thing as bad weather, which is a fundamental belief of mine as well. They focus on high quality food and exercise every day. You won't find electronics, tv's or noisy toys. You will find kids who great each other at the beginning of the day, sing songs, build stick forts together outside, and dig in the dirt. With its location being in the center of town, it is an urban oasis that reminds me of some of my fondest memories growing up as a country kid. Although I love all the above, the teachers are the best asset. My kiddo loves them all and considers them his best friends. They teach him old school values and how to appreciate our world. They truly know him through and through and love on him while I'm at work.
Thank you for all that you do for our family and community.
Jennifer B., Parent of a current Meadowlark student
At Meadowlark, both of my children found a rich and nurturing environment with new opportunities for exploration and imaginative play each day, loving guidance from their teachers, and a connected and supportive school community. My kids enjoyed having the freedom to explore their interests — from reading about zoology to building birdhouses to figuring out how to dig the deepest sand holes in the play yard — and it was wonderful to watch the children tend and transplant seedlings and harvest vegetables, herbs, and fruit in the school garden with their friends and teachers. Such a lot of care went into building this sweet school, and my family feels privileged to have been part of it.
— alumni parent