“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of humans, the enhancement of their value as individuals, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.”
-Maria Montessori
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to nurture self-motivated students whose love of learning will carry through into a lifetime of responsible and constructive contributions to the well-being of their fellow humans and the Earth.
Our vision is to offer a learning journey that is magical, meaningful, and alive—rooted in Montessori practice and the natural world, and guided by the emergent edge of human understanding. In these transformative environments, students and guides engage in purposeful work that fosters belonging and awakens the full developmental potential of each learner as a steward of self, community, and planet.
Learning Environment that Supports Each Child
Our students benefit from a personalized program, dedicated Montessori faculty, and a carefully considered curriculum that nurtures creativity and fosters independent thinking. Curriculum is delivered using a hands-on, experiential approach including spending quality time in the outdoors, uninterrupted work cycles, and plenty of play. As a result, students find connection, meaning, and joy in their learning.
Homestead students are supported in pursuit of their interests by our small class sizes and our deeply-rooted and diverse community of families and educators.
The Four Commitments
As part of our commitment to a supportive learning environment and social-emotional development, our school adopted The Four Commitments as a guiding code of conduct. Each of our students, teachers, and staff uphold these commitments to maintain a thriving educational community.
Commitment to Excellence
”I strive to do my best in everything I undertake, while being honest and self-compassionate that my best will vary.”
Commitment to Character
”I conduct myself with honesty, respect for all, empathy, compassion, kindness, and a love of life.”
Commitment to the Earth
”I work in partnership to make our human practices on this planet more regenerative, more equitable, more livable.”
Commitment to Service
”I am here to serve and support the growth of the greater good.”
Self Development, Self Esteem, and Social Emotional Intelligence
At Homestead School we strive to help students develop a strong understanding of who they are and how they can impact the world in positive ways.
Our ideal graduate sees life as filled with possibility, yet their grounded perspective allows them to engage within the real world and propose solutions to practical problems. A Homestead education leads them to find meaningful ways to learn, grow, and contribute throughout their lifetimes.
Through an emphasis on mixed-age learning and social emotional intelligence, our students develop tools that help them engage positively within a group, allowing them opportunities to practice empathy, kindness, and compassion.
What We Offer
A 100-acre farm based primary campus offering field, forest, stream, and wetlands in Glen Spey, NY
A town based and community oriented secondary campus in Hurleyville, NY
Holistic and whole-child centered Montessori based education for over 45 years
A dynamic, ever-evolving curriculum delivered through hands-on, experiential and project based learning
Abundant enrichment opportunities including arts, music, outdoor education, drama, world language, digital media arts, and building projects
A safe, encouraging, student-driven learning environment Pre-K through College Associate Degree
A comprehensive academic experience rooted in purposeful and joyful learning, student agency, compassion, conscious citizenship, and a tight-knit learning community
3-year programs based on developmental stages that build confidence, strong social bonds, and deep student-teacher-community relationships
Community, humanitarian, and environmental service integrated into all program levels
Place-based education with expansive permaculture curriculum on functioning farms
Strong community partnerships
Supportive and familial environment