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NEWRY – The Eddy School is a small, independent middle school for grades 6-8 in Newry. Deb Webster, a 26-year veteran Maine certified teacher with a bachelor of science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s in education from Lesley College, opened the school in 2011 to provide students in western Maine with an educational experience they can get nowhere else. When asked “What makes the Eddy School different?” this is what some Eddy School parents said:
PASSION AND GIFTEDNESS: The Eddy School hires gifted, passionate teachers, and this shows in all aspects of The Eddy School. Students look forward to school, parents cherish the connections made, and community members are pleased to work with the school on a regular basis.
ALLOWING FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: Mindful application of research on adolescent development and brain science infuses The Eddy School. Students are given a place to explore the adventure within while guiding them through the challenges of being responsible and compassionate citizens. Practice and coaching in time management skills are given on a daily basis as students begin their journey to becoming independent learners. Students learn to expect the bar to be set high and to consistently reach for it with support, realizing the inner powers they know they have.
RIGOROUS CLASSICAL EDUCATION COMBINED WITH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: The Eddy School is unique in this combination of learning styles. Typical components of classical education at The Eddy School include individualized math programs, reading and analyzing at least two books per month, and weekly writing assignments. The experiential side of the coin includes participation as a Tech Wizard school at the Bryant Pond 4H Learning Center, weekly field trips/guest speakers, and student-chosen independent projects. Spanish, art, and music classes round out the education.
CUSTOMIZED EDUCATION: Because the student to teacher ratio is so small and students are typically enrolled for multiple years, teachers are able to get to know each student very well — strengths, challenges, learning styles, and passions. This allows teachers to customize each student’s experience to allow him or her to grow in all areas — academic, social, and moral.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT: The Eddy School gives the parents the ultimate authority on their child’s experience without placing a burden on the family. Frequent communication from the school keeps the parents informed on successes and challenges of the day. Parents are often asked for their input on workload and behavioral situations so the child’s day-to-day needs can best be met. Said Webster, “My school brings me so much joy. I learn from and appreciate each student every day. They make me a better person. We all grow together to make this world a better place.
“This school — it’s seriously like no other that I’ve ever been in. Its one-on-one experience is simply astounding. The creativity that was born there has not ended in the slightest yet. It’s been a few long years since The Eddy School and it still holds the best place in my memory,” said Zach, a former student of The Eddy School.
Lily shared, “One of the many things I love about The Eddy is that you have so much freedom academically. I found that I could be challenged when I needed it, but if it got too hard I could go back to my own level.”
“I believe [The Eddy School] is giving [my son] a great foundation for high school. It is one of our greatest gifts we could ever ask for him. He loves The Eddy so much. He tells people what he is thankful for … and one of the first things he says is his education,” said Amy, an Eddy School parent.
Daily life at The Eddy School can be seen at www.facebook.com/The.Eddy.School. Admissions materials for the 2017-2018 school year can be downloaded from TheEddySchool.com or picked up at the school. Scholarships are available for qualified families. See The Eddy School ad in this issue for more information about their upcoming Admissions Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at 8 Bear River Rd. in Newry. They are now accepting applications for fall 2017 enrollments. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Ms. Webster and other Eddy School students and families.
