History

Marilyn Larkin and Lynne Wasserman founded The Village School for Children on September 7, 1977.  In a single classroom 19 children, 3 to 6 years old, were welcomed into a school environment based on the philosophy of Maria Montessori.  This Primary Program classroom was adapted to the developmental needs of the children, providing a variety of choices that engage the child’s natural curiosity and intellect.  Activities emphasized the process of discovery, enabling each child to explore the world through multi-sensory materials.

In 1982, a Full-Day Primary program was offered and enrollment increased to 81 students.  This addressed the growing need for a quality all-day program for children with both parents working outside the home.  Dadmara DeSantis was instrumental in designing and implementing this program and joined Marilyn Larkin as one of the school’s directors in 1983.

In 1986, the teachers became increasingly interested in offering a Montessori education to the younger children.  This resulted in the beginning of the Toddler Program for children 18 to 36 months old.  The Toddler Program is a safe and supportive environment which introduces the child to the Montessori classroom in a small, intimate setting.  As today, the program offered 2, 3 and 5 day options.

With the success of the programs for younger children, families within the school lobbied for additional programs.  The Lower Elementary Program, for children 6-9 years old, began in 1989 with a class of nine students.  This program challenges children to think creatively and critically.  The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on research and problem solving to help develop interdependence, organizational skills and strong work habits.

In 1990, an “extended day” option was added to the Primary program for children five years old at the beginning of the school year.  This differs from the full day primary program as the children have different work and meet in a different classroom during their Extended Day class times.  This program serves as a transition and introduction from Primary to Lower Elementary.

The Upper Elementary Program, for children 9 to 12 years old, began in 1995.  Building on the foundation of Lower Elementary, the Upper Elementary Program reflects students’ gradual developmental shift to abstract thinking using specific curriculum and materials that help support this passage.

Again, at the request of and with the support of Village School families, the school expanded in 1998 to include a Middle School program for the seventh and eighth grades. This program provides a challenging and supportive environment in which the adolescent may explore, question and formulate principles related to academic, personal and social growth.  The original class consisted of five students and in 2000 the school proudly celebrated the graduation of its first class of eighth grade students.

The school was originally located in one classroom at the Old Paramus Church’s Educational Building in Ridgewood, New Jersey.  An additional classroom was added in 1982 when the Full-Day primary program was included.  By the time the Toddler Program was offered, the School occupied the entire lower level of the building.  With no more space at the current location and the growth of the school required by the Lower Elementary program and an additional Primary classroom, additional space was secured at Orchard School, a Public School in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Eventually, the size and scope of the school made it desirable for all programs to be under one roof.  In 1997 the entire school moved to the Alexander Hamilton School building in Glen Rock, New Jersey.  The Dedication Ceremony was attended by over 400 people and included tours of the location, highlighted by the new playground donated by Village School families.

After several years, the school was faced with another facilities challenge.  Due to its own increasing enrollment, Glen Rock did not renew the lease for the building.  The Village School entered what could best be described as a transition year.  New space was found, but was not immediately available.  Once again the school was divided with the Toddler and Primary Programs occupying space at Glen School in Ridgewood and the Elementary and Middle School Programs at Mount Caramel also in Ridgewood.

In the fall of 2002, all Programs were reunited at the Permanent Home of the Village School for Children in Waldwick, NJ.  More than 700 people attended the Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  After multiple phases of construction, the facility currently houses:

Family involvement has always been an important aspect of the school.  What we know today as the Parent Association started in 1980 as the Parent Guild.  Over the years, parents have willingly offered financial and professional expertise allowing the school to build its programs and establish a solid foundation for continued growth.  Parent volunteers are also an integral part of the school community as they share with the children a special skill or hobby, read to groups in the library and greet arriving students in the court yard.

Today, the purpose of The Village School Parent Association is to support the mission of The Village School and to promote a supportive school community by strengthening ties among families of students. Activities include community building events, such as extra-curricular and social activities that involve parents and students, and fund-raising events that engage parents in a spirited and productive manner.

In 1993, a fundraising effort for a new playground led to the formation of the Village School Development Committee.  And with a Development Committee comes an Annual Fund.  The first Annual Development Fund drive was conducted that year and raised about $15,000.

After the playground was completed, the Development Committee focused on the move to Glen Rock in 1996.  Then the establishment of an endowment fund to ensure continued financial stability for the school.

The first Auction was held in 1999.  This annual event continues to serve the school and its community in two very special ways:  the parents have a night to socialize away from the school environment and approximately 25% of annual funds are raised in one evening.

A very successful Capital Campaign was conducted from April 2000 through December 2002 to raise additional funds to purchase and refurbish the now permanent home of the Village School.  The success of this endeavor proved once again how special and significant the continuing involvement and generosity of the parents are to the school.

Strong support has continued for 16 years; with 61% of VS Families participating in the 2012-2013 Annual Fund.  Many items on the school’s “wish list” have become a reality due to the continued participation and generosity of the parents.

Over the years, the Development Committee has been chaired by 11 parents who have held vital roles in the continued success of the school.  That quest for a new playground 13 years ago started something very special – over $3,500,000 has been raised through the Annual Development Fund.

As programs and staff began to increase, the school’s administration considered involvement with professional Montessori organizations to be a critical part of its growth and development.

In 1983, The Village School became a Center for Montessori Teacher Education host training site for Primary level teachers.  Some teachers served as teacher-trainers for CMTE and assistants were able to earn their Montessori Teacher certification through this accredited organization.

The school’s continued growth in size and program levels coincided with an invitation in 1991 by the American Montessori Society to become involved in a pilot program of self-study which would result in joint accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Montessori Society.  This process of self-study brought school administration, faculty and parents together in a unique and cooperative venture that validated the school’s past goals, objectives and outcomes.  It also helped to articulate goals for the school’s future.

As a result of the self-study process, in 1992 The Village School became the first independent school in New Jersey to be jointly accredited by both Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Montessori Society.

The Accreditation process is revisited about every 10 years, with the last self-study process taking place in 2013.  This process continues to validate the efforts of all involved with the school.

Over the years, The Village School has expanded, moved, bettered itself and most of all become a community where children and families can reach out and find what the world has to offer.