Garden Gate School LLC

We love the play-based approach! There's just enough inspiration and structure to guide the children into playing imaginatively and helping with meaningful work (Waldorf-inspired). They get a healthy dose of the outdoors everyday, grow in their cooperative play, and solve problems (social and physical) with increasing independence. The food is amazing, and they sit down together learning to make table conversation and tell stories. Plus, there are chickens, a garden, a “river” in wet weather, and "secret" hiding places in the yard for adventures and finding treasures. There's a community of friendly parents and an outdoor bread oven. It's everything we didn't know we wanted.

This is such a wonderful environment for kids. They spend time playing in mud, sand, water, rain and sun. Digging, running, imagining, swinging from the trees, gardening, helping with the chickens, and so much more. Some of the produce they eat is provided by Happy Hollow Farm. Our son has tried all sorts of new foods, they have amazing menus. He has grown so much socially, this place really is a hidden jewel!

My children attended Garden Gate for several years. I could not have asked for a more wonderful first school for them. The teachers provide caring, respectful, personalized nurturing of all children in a family-like setting. Children get to spend their days outdoors and developing their social relationships with others. Everything is geared towards a child's best interest at this school. Children are immersed in respect, nature, art, healthy food, and healthy relationships at Garden Gate. My children learned so very much at Garden Gate and came away, above all else, with a love of and trust in school and with many friendships- things that are so important for a child's first experience outside the home. I will always feel grateful for this school and will never forget it. Ms. Deborah (the main teacher and owner) is kind, caring, thoughtful, organized, and runs the school beautifully. My youngest child would still be at this school if we hadn't needed to move. In fact, I delayed our move by a year in order to keep my children at this school for longer- that's how special it is!