Many parents want more than a school—they want a place like Williamsburg Northside, where their children, from infants to fourth graders, not only learn age-appropriate academics, but can also focus on their passions and their own unique personalities.
Founded in 1999, Williamsburg Northside Schools is comprised of three core programs. The Infant and Toddler Center, which moves to 70 Havemeyer Street this Fall, provides daycare and early childhood education up to age 2. The Preschool, located at 152 North 5th Street, encompasses the 2s and 3s program, and the Pre-Kindergarten program is housed with the Lower School for K-4th grade at 299 North 7th Street, as of mid-September. This new and beautiful location includes large terraces, a science lab, a glorious Atelier (art studio), sun-drenched classrooms, and a middle school-sized gym.
Though the schools are housed in different buildings, the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education unites them with its thoughtful and caring approach to education. Reggio Emilia emphasizes a child’s agency in the learning process—they are encouraged to explore what interests them, developing their passions and collaborative skills through project-based learning. Additionally, teachers might supply provocations to the children to help stimulate interesting investigations.
“A core value and critical component to the mission of our school is to be respectful of children. We believe that they are strong and capable in their own right,” says Gina Farrar, Head of Schools. Farrar began her career in education as math teacher at a New York independent school, and has a PhD in psychology, and more than 15 years of experience as a school administrator.
“We give a structure, and we also supply provocations for the kids who—like if kids are playing and it’s not quite clear what they’re going to gravitate towards in terms of a project—a teacher might put something out and see if it provokes something interesting,” Farrar says.
Classes are small, in order to maximize individual student attention. Infant and toddler classes are headed by three-four teachers and have 8-10 students. The teaching staff ensure that each infant’s daily schedule is tailored to their individual needs, allowing them to follow their own unique daily eating and sleeping rhythms. The Infant and Toddler program’s workday hours, from 7:30am to 6pm, provide parents with some flexibility as well.
At the Infant and Toddler Center, the Reggio Emilia philosophy is incorporated by providing the young children room for exploration. For even the youngest learners, each day is shaped by exploring their interests, guided by teachers who observe the children’s play and classroom interactions.
The Infant and Toddler Center’s facilities at 70 Havemeyer also boast a luxury for any New York school—their own on-site outdoor space, where infants can enjoy the sun from their baby bouncers, and toddlers can play. And, like the rest of the other schools’ buildings, the Infant and Toddler Center’s classrooms are carefully arranged and curated, as the Reggio Emilia philosophy believes that the environment is the third teacher.
“That’s a huge part of the Reggio Emilia philosophy,” says Teresa Smith, Northside’s admissions director. “It’s the romantic Italian [ideal]—children should be surrounded by beautiful things in organized spaces that are inspired.”
As the children grow older, classes become more structured, and the project work’s central focus is Social Studies. Starting in Kindergarten, for example, children might study a unit on the “needs and wants of community” by choosing to study food and visiting an organic farm.
One thing that remains constant, however, from infancy through grade 4, is Northside’s warm community. Teachers from all three schools meet at least once per week, and look for opportunities to engage all of the programs with each other, such as a shared snack or Thanksgiving potlucks.
And, like the students, Northside parents have built their own vibrant support network.
“I started here a year ago, and the first day that school opened, the parents were just as excited to see each other as the children,” Farrar says.
“The inspiration, the philosophy, the quality of the teaching staff, and how we maintain group sizes, are the things that families are coming here for,” Smith says. “And also the environment—the environment is really important. Parents can see their child living here, five days a week in a beautiful classroom that looks like a little home set up just for them.”
