Lowell School

Lowell School children are leading in the co-creation of a world where individuals are trusted, valued, and respected. We are an intentionally-designed, diverse educational community that embraces individuality, curiosity, and courage. Lowell students and program participants thrive because we are committed to progressive pedagogy, where our multidisciplinary academic program and our social-emotional curriculum are inextricably linked. Guided by our innovative, expert, and thoughtful educators, our children become confident, resilient, and highly-motivated learners who can fully engage in an abundance of rich, integrated, and multifaceted learning experiences. Our graduates know themselves well and communicate effectively. They are uniquely prepared, both academically and socially, to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities that lie ahead. Lowell empowers children to use their voices and strengths in pursuit of a more just world—one in which differences become assets, confidence leads to cooperation, and empathy drives us to affect positive change in our communities. Lowell was founded in 1965 as a nursery school for families seeking something different. They were looking for a hands-on, child-centered approach designed to stimulate students’ curiosity and creativity, create space for them to make choices, and encourage them to empathize and cooperate with each other—and they wanted all of that in a diverse community that embraced and celebrated families and children from a variety of backgrounds. Inspired by the democratic ideals of the time—including the fight for equity, inclusion, and social justice—and dedicated to the power of progressive education, the Lowell experiment would go on to thrive and grow. Over six decades, the school has expanded from a single class of 25 children, ages two-and-a-half to five, in the basement of a local church to a program for over 300 students from PK to 8th grade, housed on a beautiful 8-acre campus.

Our volunteers, specifically our CITs, are essential to our mission of helping students build resilience, develop imagination, and learn the nuances of friendship. These motivated young people transition from campers to community leaders by assisting professional staff in delivering high-quality, safe, and nurturing summer experiences. Their contributions include: - Mentorship & Choice: CITs provide active mentorship during morning meetings and play a key role in afternoon sessions, directly supporting our core belief in student voice and choice. - Professional Growth: Through weekly leadership meetings and regular evaluations, CITs develop professional responsibility, classroom management skills, and problem-solving abilities. - Operational Support: CITs assist with daily logistics, including carpool, lunch supervision, and swim lesson preparation, ensuring every camper feels secure. - Community & Inclusion: They help weave a culture of inclusion into the fabric of our camp, strengthening ties with the surrounding community. Through this developmental program, CITs provide significant "added value" to our families while differentiating our school as an innovative leader in education.