Metropolitan Open School

We firmly believe that childhood is an entity unto itself—not a state of imperfect adulthood. We cherish our children for what they are, rather than for what they might become. We must then accept them and deal with them on their own terms. This genuine caring for a child as a human being leads us to an entirely different concept of education: one based on the child’s needs rather than the school’s or society’s needs, and one which uses the child’s needs, interests and abilities as the starting point for curriculum development.

By developing a personal plan for each child’s learning, we aim at stimulating the development of a mature, self‐reliant, self‐motivated student—a person who is informed, but also capable of searching out and dealing with knowledge. By stressing the development of each individual, we equip our students with those skills necessary to survive in a world we cannot even imagine.

MOS offers:
-Small classes of a maximum of eight students to one teacher that allow for individual and small group instruction in an interactive, supportive, personalized environment
-A full academic curriculum for K-Jr. High with reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, French or Spanish, and physical education
-Teachers who believe that the foundation for learning is the caring, trusting relationship between student and teacher
-An environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, cooperation, and responsibility
-Ongoing assessment of each student’s strengths and needs to assist teachers, students, and parents in working together to ensure that students reach their full potential
-Social skills that nurture each student’s self-esteem and foster kindness and respect toward others
-A commitment to our students’ health and fitness through activities that aid skill development, self-confidence and teamwork
-An appreciation of the arts and sciences through visiting museums and nature centers, and attending concerts and plays during weekly field trips
-Opportunities for parents to be fully involved in their child’s education
-Regular P.E., dance, and art classes