Learning and Love
“Right now,” says Patti Vitale, Head of School at Brown School in Schenectady, “we have a lot of small children who, because of the pandemic, have never experienced a school environment. I’m so grateful for our phenomenal team -- their concern for the social-emotional wellbeing of the community is what brought us success, even during Covid.”
It’s not the first challenge this resilient school has faced and transcended. Founded in 1893 by Helen “Nellie” Brown, a believer in small classes and individualized learning, Brown School has evolved while maintaining a clarity of focus that Nellie would be proud of: “What we do is build each student’s confidence so that they can challenge themselves, persisting as they reach each goal at their own pace,” says Vitale. “Every child should start each day knowing, ‘Here’s something I’m good at and am celebrated for, and here’s something else I need to work on, and that’s fine, because here’s the teacher to help me.’”
Since settling in its current location in 1996, the school has gradually expanded its grade levels by popular demand. It now enrolls around 150 students from a dozen school districts; financial aid is available to all who qualify, and an Extended Day program runs from 7 am through 6 pm to serve the needs of working parents. Vitale, who first got involved as a parent, says the educational program and classroom management style -- while remaining true to Brown’s ideals -- got a thorough refresher in 2007, when the school participated in MindUP, a research-based social-emotional learning program focused on mindful education.
“Beyond the MindUP curriculum itself, mindfulness freed up our creativity and led to the design and implementation of our IGNITE (Individualized Goals Nurtured in a Team Environment) program of evidence-based, diversified instruction,” she says. “A mindful approach changes the whole climate. Learning to be reflective rather than reactive changes your interactions; we’ve had kids come back and say, ‘I never realized how much I relied on this until I was facing that big audition,’ or interview, or whatever. With all that goes on in the world, taking a moment to be still and center on making a better day is a tremendous tool to give a child.”
IGNITE focuses on helping each student define a learning plan that fits their unique learning style, getting lots of experience in setting and conquering goals with intensive and focused support and enrichment provided by the educational team. It’s a cohesive approach that informs every aspect of the school day, from phys ed -- where there’s a focus on improving one’s personal best -- to the National Science Bowl competition and the annual musical, both targeted to engage middle schoolers. Through a partnership with SUNY Schenectady, students can graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree at no additional charge.
Vitale would love to give you a tour of the lovely new library, unique Block Room (you’d be surprised at how much all ages can learn just building with blocks!) and more. “I love showing parents around,” says Vitale. “It makes for great conversation, and we try to give you an expanded sense of what’s possible for every child.”