“My daughter had the absolute BEST teachers and BEST Kindergarten experience at GCS. I am teary-eyed writing this thinking about the magical year she had with Ms. Debbie and Ms. Laura. It is an experience that I wish every child could have. Questions and unique ideas/interests are encouraged, the learning happens through play and hands-on exploration, and kindness is valued above all else. There were never any worksheets or computer-based diagnostics/programs; instead my daughter played math games, read books, went sledding with friends, wrote journal responses to silly and exciting prompts, painted scenes from stories, created her own stories, wrote predictions about science experiments, baked muffins with friends, proudly read to the class as mystery-reader, learned French songs, helped run a charitable bake sale, went on field trips in the community, watched baby chicks hatch, worked in the greenhouse, made signs for school events, participated in class concerts and plays, and so much more. My daughter loved going to school every day, her teachers and class felt like family, and she was very well-prepared for first grade. Ms. Debbie and Ms. Laura go above and beyond in every way to care for each individual student, to create an inclusive and supportive community, and to create exciting learning opportunities. We are forever grateful to them and to GCS, and we only wish we could continue with them beyond Kindergarten!”
~May Chaar
“The Kindergarten experience that GCS offers is truly wonderful, formative, and irreplaceable. Both of my children absolutely adored all of their time spent at GCS, but there is something so special about Kindergarten that they loved most of all. My daughter attended the program and still talks about how it was the “best year of her life!” The loving encouragement from her teachers helped challenge her academically, while nurturing her growth emotionally. She felt so happy and confident there every day, and was more than ready for first grade the following autumn. My son is currently in half-day Kindergarten and always comes home with a big smile on his face. His teachers, Deb and Laura, treat him and his classmates as their own children, with so much love and support, and make learning fun and engaging every day. The balance between hands-on learning and the introduction to written work strikes a perfect balance to prepare children for grade school. Over the course of just a few months this year, my son’s literacy skills have blossomed, and his handwriting has become so much clearer. He is always sharing about the exciting math and science experiments being done in class, and the thorough weekly newsletter helps guide us to more in-depth conversations about his activities from the past week. The tremendous pride that comes with being the helper of the day (known as the “Top Dog”) builds his confidence and public speaking skills. My son has often remarked that “I wish I could stay at GCS forever!” and has lamented that GCS doesn’t continue through high school! When your child attends GCS, they’re more than just a student – they’re a member of a close-knit family. As a side note, I also attended GCS as a child, and to this day I still vividly and fondly remember my year in Kindergarten. I take a lot of comfort in knowing that my children, decades from now, will feel the same way. It is very bittersweet knowing this will be the last year for our family to have children at GCS, but we plan to continue staying involved with the school in the future!”
~ Molly Laurano
“Sending our son to Kindergarten at Groton Community School was one of the best decisions that we have ever made. Our son has truly thrived in this caring and supportive environment! It took a long time to find a Kindergarten with an amazing curriculum that encompasses literature, math, science, writing, and so much more, and also allows for exploration and hands-on learning. The program truly reflects the importance of learning from a whole-child perspective. Its philosophy of peace and kindness is modeled throughout the school. There is a high value placed on small class sizes. The Kindergarten has just 16 students with two incredible teachers. I am in awe every day of the material covered in the classroom and of the endless creativity of my son’s two teachers. Both of these teachers bring such amazing backgrounds, knowledge, and skills to their classroom. Their thoughtfulness and enthusiasm have made the school feel more like a family to us. I have never had a day when my son hasn’t greeted me with a smile and an eagerness to share what he has learned. I cannot recommend this school highly enough to any prospective Kindergarten parent. You will not only find an amazing school at the GCS, but you will also find a sense of community and family.”
~ Kimberly Stebbins