The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.
News
Saving Childhood
What are parents to do? Last week I wrote about writer Kim Brooks’s NYT article “We Have Ruined Childhood” and its conclusion that in our society, “a disintegration of communal and familial structures for childcare and child raising,” coupled with a dramatic increase in work demands for most parents, have led families to have “to prioritize physical safety and adult supervision over healthy emotional and social development.” Brooks asserts that these significant and often overwhelming social forces have led to phenomena that are distinctly unhealthy for children. Thus, childhood today is marked by longer school days, earlier and earlier academic demands, over-regimentation, protection from any kind of adversity, active-shooter drills, constant mass gun violence, and the scaling back of time devoted to play, being in nature, or doing nothing. Unintentionally — but not surprisingly — all of this has resulted in higher and higher childhood levels of unhappiness, inattention, learning issues, social maladjustment, stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
At The Country School, we try to promote a balanced and healthy childhood. Yes, we believe in challenging (but not overly stressful) academics. Yes, we believe in assigning (a controlled amount of) homework that builds independence, inculcates responsibility, and furthers classroom learning. But TCS also believes in preserving childhood with time-tested developmentally-appropriate practices.
Consider that all of our students are nurtured by a caring and attuned faculty. We build skills incrementally and meet our children with consistency, structure, and the expectation that they will falter from time-to-time but that they need support in learning from their mistakes, not in ensuring that they avoid any unpleasantness. We tailor their learning in personal and responsive ways.
In addition, all of our children have recess at least twice a day. They enjoy regular and healthy outlets for physical activity, the arts, and creativity. We make lessons active and hands-on as much as is feasible, while not neglecting the fundamental skills that enable life-long learning. Our new Lower School science program gets kids outside exploring the natural world and encourages them to realize that active learning sometimes gets messy. Upper Schoolers have memorable outdoor education experiences that get them outside and away from their comfort zones. Our older students also have the chance to participate on sports teams, with all of the potential learning that comes from competition and team membership.
All the while, we nurture the growth of independence, organization, time management, study skills, and the acquisition of social skills. Then there is our constant focus on values, character, and doing the right thing. I could go on. The important point, however, is that when you invested in The Country School, you invested in a lot more than just academics. You have chosen a school that does its part to stand against the tides of the forces “ruining childhood.”
Recent News
List of 5 news stories.
-
Kindergarten Students Serving Others!
Kindergarteners have been participating in a 3 part HOHO (Helping Others; Helping Ourselves) project lead by Ferris and Laura Butler. Students packed boxes to be shipped to veterans and their families. The boxeswere filled with child friendly, donated items. Also in the boxes were handwritten letters from the students along with a handmade American flag craft. The Butlers carefully orchestrated this project, and we are very grateful for their time and efforts. -
Spring Athletic Award Winners
Congratulations to all our spring athletics award winners and to all our Cougar athletes who participated in sports and clubs! This spring, TCS offered Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Pickleball Club, Running Club, and Volleyball Club. Providing so many athletic opportunities took a village—thank you to our amazing coaches, volunteers, and parent drivers for making it all possible! And thank you to our students for setting an example of dedication and sportsmanship!Read More -
Summer Trips for Upper School Students in 2025
It is with great excitement that The Country School announces the addition of 2025 summer trips for our Upper School students!Read More -
The Country School Celebrates 90 Years and Installs Jay Parker
Read MoreThe Country School is proud to be celebrating its 90th school year. This milestone year also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the appointment of Jay Parker as the 7th Head of School. -
Conversation & Homecoming - Saturday, February 24, 2024
Read MoreThe Country School, Talbot County Free Library, and the Avalon Foundation, sponsors, join with fourteen other community organizations to present Conversation & Homecoming with Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, a program free and open to all.
© 2017 The Country School. All Rights Reserved.
The Country School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational, admission, and employment policies, or its financial aid, athletic, and other school administered programs.
