Past, Present and Future - Groton Community School

Serving Our Community for Decades

Our Past

Groton Community School, Inc. can trace its history back to the 1920s and has been housed in various sites in Groton throughout the years. Our roots go back to a small studio building on Peabody Street, a little brick schoolhouse on Long Hill Road, and a residence on Main Street, with an official beginning in 1945 as Groton Community Kindergarten in the First Parish Church. Subsequent sites were at Grotonwood and the Prescott School building.

Throughout our 80+ years in the community, we have strived to make a positive first school experience for each child and their family, and have had an impact on thousands of children as they began their educational journey. In our interactions with the community, we often meet past parents and alumni with delightful stories to share about attending GCS. It is especially gratifying to have children – and grandchildren – of alumni now attending GCS themselves!

Learn more about our GCS Alumni Network, share memories, and make connections!

A Few Highlights

In October 1984, the school moved into a current location at 110 Boston Road, in a space specifically designed for early childhood education, providing young children with the best of both indoor and outdoor environments. All classrooms featured child-size sinks, making a variety of creative art experiences possible, and kitchenette units that allowed special cooking/baking activities.

Each classroom offered direct access to its own patio and a spacious well-equipped fenced-in playground. A large multi-purpose room indoors played host to a variety of children’s events, including musical and other children’s performers, class plays and performances, and other special guests. The entire facility, was air-conditioned, and reflected a bright and happy ambiance that has become so much a part of Groton Community School’s reputation.

Groton Community School benefited greatly from our affiliation with the Learning Express educational toy store in Acton, MA. Founded by a former Board of Directors President with board member collaboration as a fundraising idea, the concept of the Learning Express toy stores has grown in popularity, with numerous franchises nationwide. We are proud that this first Learning Express store – initially owned and operated by Groton Community School – inspired so many others to participate in what became the Learning Express Corporation.

With the inspiration and plans of designer, Rusty Keeler of Planet Earth Playscapes, and with the collaborative efforts of the GCS Playscape Committee and MANY generous contributors and facilitators, our playground redesign dreams finally became a reality.

In May 2002, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and donated their time, talents, and an incredible amount of hard work to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor learning environment for the children of Groton Community School. Our goals were to create a multi-sensory play environment, with creative choices for children to encourage their cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as build their fine and gross motor skills.

An emphasis was made on natural elements and involved extensive landscaping and the planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, and vegetables for children to experience the wonder of growing and the seasons. Sound elements were also added, such as wind chimes and outdoor musical instruments.

From the fall of 2019 through December of 2020, the school was completely renovated and expanded in Phase One of our Forward Motion Project to create a state-of-the-art learning environment. These include: enlarged classrooms; staff spaces for curriculum planning and collaboration; a dedicated Children’s Library, Technology and Resource Center; a redesigned Program Center with space for families to network and for teachers to hold parent teacher conferences; focused efforts to ensure sustainability, protect the future of the school, health of our community, and instill environmental stewardship in our children.

A temporary site on the Lawrence Academy grounds served us very well, in the interim during construction. The Leave a Legacy Brick Pathway was added in 2024, enabling a “walk down memory lane” for many of our GCS community supporters.

In May 2025 we celebrated the completion of our multipurpose Community Room, adding finishing touches in time for our Community Room Open House in November 2025 to cap off our Forward Motion Project.

It was a huge milestone to cross the finish line for this remaining aspect of our Forward Motion expansion and renovation project, and open up exciting possibilities for classroom and school-wide gatherings, and day-to-day use as a large motor activity space. It was especially emotional to dedicate our stage in Memory of Wendy Frank, a dear friend of GCS. We can always remember Wendy, as we celebrate this space to foster a sense of community together.

The Present

Today, we continue to provide a warm, safe, and creative environment for young children and families through our dedicated staff, rich curriculum, and openness to family and community involvement.

Groton Community School is a nonprofit, non-discriminatory organization, which serves children aged 2 years 9 months and up in our Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten Programs. Many of the students are from Groton, while others travel from nearby towns. The school is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Our GCS Camp summer program is designed to provide continuity for our full day families, and also offers a taste of summer fun in two-week, half day, mini sessions for children ages 3 through 7 years old.

Our Future

Groton Community School is proud of its illustrious past, fully embraces the opportunities and experiences of the present, and also has a eye toward the future to ensure we are doing all that we can to help our children, educators and school soar.

GCS is currently planning future updates to our outdoor playground and learning spaces. These Playscape enhancements will support active play, social emotional development, and outdoor learning experiences for our children.

Learn more about our special projects