Birches students have a passion for learning that permeates every aspect of their lives. They are intelligent, curious children whose zest for gaining knowledge about the world around them is matched only by their desire to be good peers, friends and citizens of the world. Birches students often ask questions and would prefer to solve problems in a hands-on manner rather than simply being told the correct answers. They are independent thinkers, but also welcome the guidance that comes from thoughtful teaching.

Birches believes that educating the whole child can only be done in close collaboration with parents. Parents are engaged in their child’s school life, both through communication with teachers and staff, and through support of their child's interests at home. Birches is a community of learners: students, teachers, staff, and parents.

Birches believes that enjoyment and exploration of the natural world is a critical component of a well-rounded childhood. Most of our academic times are spent inside the classroom but nature drives many of our themes, encouraging stewardship, exploration and appreciation of our natural world. Our staff and students also just enjoy being outside. We play in the woods every week and do activities like nature journaling, igloo building, tree climbing, gardening and much more! Our partnership with the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust leads to curricular and community opportunities such as existing work on pollination systems.

Read more about our our curriculum .

All classes are outside at least twice a day, all year. Each week, students have playground time, nature hikes and occasional reading and writing sessions outside. K-1 classes enjoy Woods Wednesdays and Forest Fridays, spending significant time exploring the Land Trust land abutting the school, 2-3 takes their longer hikes on Thursdays, while 4-5 and Middle School take Friday hikes.

We have about 18 students in multi-age classrooms with two master teachers per classroom. This is a ratio of students to full time teachers of 9:1. We also have specialists who teach Movement, Music, Spanish, Wilderness, and Art. Due to our small class sizes, we can meet our students where they are, both academically and socially, and can make more meaningful connections with each child and family.

Our students come from 26 surrounding communities, with families from Cambridge, Lincoln, Arlington, Littleton, Belmont and beyond all choosing Birches as their school home.

We believe that students thrive in mixed age learning environments, where there are both supports and stretches for all learners. Birches students flourish with the attention they receive with our small class sizes, and our innovative and dynamic curriculum allows faculty the flexibility to meet the needs of the learners in the room.

Although we share some educational ideas with the Montessori system such as the multi-age classroom, we are not a Montessori school. Montessori schools believe the teacher's role is to step back, intervening if necessary or to introduce a new "work."

We share some educational ideas with the Waldorf system, such as emphasizing the importance of nature and the arts. But again, we are not a Waldorf school. We believe that technology, when applied intelligently, is an important learning tool and can greatly enhance education.

Birches graduates attend a range of independent and public schools in Massachusetts, out of state, and abroad. We consistently hear from their next schools that they are very well prepared academically and great community builders who know themselves well as students and whole people.

Learn more about our Next Schools process and explore testimonials from our graduates and their families.