The Dewey School

The Mission of The Dewey School is to offer early learning rooted in play and the exploration of nature. Founded in 2018, The Dewey School is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3), that provides a dynamic, developmentally appropriate, early learning environment for children ages 3-5. Inspired in part by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, children are viewed as creative, competent, and capable. With nearly 700 acres of forest, pasture, gardens, and buildings at the historic museum setting of the Canterbury Shaker Village (a National Historic Landmark) children are provided with endless opportunities for exploration and learning. Teachers are co-learners in discovery and provide support that encourages thought and inquisitiveness. The natural world is utilized as a guide to support child development.  To begin each day, provocations bring nature inside and create opportunities to expand investigation and dig deeper from the previous day's exploration.  Providing environments that support play-based learning in a multi-age setting of 3-5 year-old children allows for opportunities for leadership and creates a learning environment of cooperation without competition. From observations to explorations, children are provided opportunities indoors and outdoors to inspire their imagination, exploration, and curiosity.

The Dewey School at Canterbury Shaker Village invites you to come explore the land, tour the buildings, and visit our communities favorite spots throughout the village.  Find more information about Canterbury Shaker Village and The Dewey School Scavenger Hunt on our Community Page.

Who We Are

"WOW!" " WHOA!!" "Ooh!" "Uh oh!" "What is it?" Imagine being an early learner, say 3-5 years old, spending your days at the historic Canterbury Shaker Village learning through developmentally appropriate play inside and out. Your days involve exploring the acres of forest, pasture, gardens, and Shaker architecture. You observe the cows, the birds, and the tiniest of insects hiding under the bark of the Hickory trees. You can go frogging, tracking, and watch the seasons unfold. You connect to nature each and every day. The observations outside lead to in-depth investigations inside. Sure there are wooden blocks, puzzles, creative play area, and the art studio to explore inside, but there are also the birch branches, seeds, or the tracks in the snow that were just discovered...all invitations to learning.

It is the mission of The Dewey School to provide a joyful early learning environment; where children are viewed as capable and competent citizens who express themselves through a variety of ways; where opportunities to grow through play and student interest are fostered; where developing a sense of community is valued and exploring nature is embraced outside and in!

We welcome your support in connecting children to nature and the world around. All children have the right to such a picturesque environment where they can learn and grow. https://vimeo.com/411732843