I am pleased to welcome you to Far Brook School, where children learn and grow in a joyful and unhurried atmosphere.
Far Brook offers an unusual combination of child-centered experiential learning and academic rigor for a richly diverse group of 226 students in preschool through Eighth Grade. Our themed curriculum allows students in each grade to learn writing, reading, math, history, science, and art through in-depth study of a central topic such as patterns (for younger students), the Ancient Greeks, and the Renaissance. Through the lens of a central idea, students learn and explore ideas within a memorable context.
Our campus has an intimate small village feel set on nine wooded acres in Short Hills, New Jersey. Our wetlands habitat creates an extended learning environment in which children explore the natural world. Our program recognizes that children are instinctive scientists, writers, and artists for whom experimentation is another form of creative expression. Young mathematicians use a variety of tools to analyze data and explore number concepts. Music and art are everywhere. We start each day with Morning Meeting where we gather together to sing, to share poetry and literature, or to share student projects ranging from woodshop creations to Shakespeare’s plays.
Students are encouraged to voice their ideas, and their intelligence and creativity are honored. In our child-centered environment, students learn problem-solving through insightful questions, experimentation, and hands-on experience. Our students understand that success often comes from collaboration, appreciation of different perspectives, and taking risks. These lessons are fundamental to the development of a student’s confidence and character as we foster growth of the whole child and prepare them to contribute to the world beyond our campus.
Our focus on character as well as accomplishment is especially valuable to emerging adolescents. Far Brook emphasizes the importance of leadership, responsibility, and respect for the ideas of others. Our students display these qualities each day as they engage with the younger students and with their peers.
Far Brook has an extraordinary group of faculty who have been instrumental in shaping the culturally rich school that Far Brook is today. These dedicated educators honor curiosity and inspire questioning and academic discussion, a process which results in a reciprocal learning experience. Our 1-6 teacher-to-student ratio also allows connections between faculty and the children not found in most schools, so that students are comfortable seeking out teachers and sharing constructive dialogue.
Far Brook strives to instill love of learning, cultivates creativity, and celebrates individuality in every student. I am inspired by the shared commitment of our faculty, administration, families, alumni, and Board of Trustees to Far Brook’s mission. Now that you have found our website, I hope you will take time to visit our campus to experience everything Far Brook holds for your child.
Amy Ziebarth
Head of School