"Excellence 'pops up' in every nook and cranny. ... Perhaps the strongest thing about Far Brook is that all the 'good stuff' is repeated everywhere ... even Dewey would be impressed."
The above remarks were made to the Far Brook faculty by Dr. Arlene Hartman – Chairperson of a team of evaluators from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Elementary Schools – at the completion of her team's observation of Far Brook School as part of our accreditation process. In its formal report, the team highlighted, among other commendations, "the exceptionally high degree of correspondence between the written philosophy and the programs and practices of the School," "a very strong interdisciplinary approach," and "clear evidence of attention to higher-level thinking skills observed at all levels in almost all situations." At the time of Far Brook's reaccreditation during the 2000-2001 school year, the Report of the Evaluation Team Visit included such statements as the following:
"The quality of excellence ... was played out over and over again throughout our entire visit."
"During our visit we observed a learning environment that provides a balance of challenge and support tailored to the needs of the students, while encouraging faculty collaboration and collegiality. We found students who were engaged in activities that stimulated their thinking and creativity and parents who expressed their appreciation for all that the Far Brook experience has to offer. We talked with faculty who feel valued as one of the School's most important resources and an administrative team that provides strong leadership and is dedicated to upholding the School's mission."
"The team agrees that Far Brook is a place where student learning is of the utmost importance and where learning experiences are designed to stimulate all of the intelligences. In the words of one parent, 'Far Brook not only provides a quality education but also nurtures the soul.'"