Mission Statement

Cold Spring School challenges children to become self-reliant, curious, and resourceful problem solvers with the academic and social skills to engage constructively and ethically in our diverse, changing world.

Our History & Philosophy

Cold Spring School was founded in 1982 by a group of parents who wanted the philosophy they admired at a much-loved childcare program to continue through their children’s elementary school years.

From the founding years to the present, our fundamental belief that children learn best when they are actively involved in the educational process has guided teachers and staff in the creation of a rich, child-centered learning environment. Teachers understand and respond to the strengths and challenges of each child and build a respectful partnership between student, teacher, and family.

To build a strong learning community, children usually stay with the same Master Teacher for two years in a mixed-grade grouping. These groupings provide younger children with the opportunity to learn routines, procedures, and expectations from older students. Conversely, older children develop leadership skills through interacting with younger children as reading buddies and in classroom situations.

When Cold Spring School moved to its current location in 1987, a fitness teacher was hired. Within several years, art, music, and Spanish were added to the curriculum and special area teachers in these disciplines joined  the faculty. The selection of Spanish was a way for students to foster a multi-cultural perspective and connect to the largely Latino neighborhood through language.

Parents founded Cold Spring School and parent involvement is still important to the program. Parents serve on committees, share professional skills within the context of a thematic study, chaperone field trips, and are a visible presence in the daily life of the school. The Board of Trustees has always been comprised almost exclusively of current and former parents. Leadership and implementation of the school’s mission have been carried out through three Directors: Irene Fiss from 1987 to 1998 and Jeff Jonathan from 1998 to 2012.  Cold Spring School is currently headed by Merrill Hall, while it is engaged in a search for its next Director, to be named in the fall of 2012, to lead the school starting in the 2013-2014 school year.