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Introduction to Whitby, a premier independent school for students 14 months - grade 8 located in Greenwich CT. The only school in America accredited by the American Montessori Society and the International Baccaluareate for PreK through grade 8. Whitby excels at readying students to meet the challenges of today's rapidly changing world.
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It’s not only what you know, it’s what you do with it.
OUR CHILDRENA look to the future tells us in no uncertain terms that our children will face a very different world in the coming years. It calls on educators and parents to focus on developing students who are self-directed, innately curious and have the knowledge and confidence to find their way in the world.
At Whitby, we have taken this challenge head on and created an environment designed to develop rich minds. With our innovative blend of Montessori and International Baccalaureate, we ready students with the world skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Whitby students don’t just see the world before them. They are passionate about engaging it and changing it.
Welcome to Whitby.
Ready.
Engaged in learningWe believe that most effective education is rooted in engaging students in a learning environment filled with opportunities and challenging experiences.
It is impossible to remember days gone by, but I will remember moments, special Whitby moments: weaving colorful ribbons around the Maypole by going over, under, over, under, with every beat of Audrey’s tambourine; becoming Amelia Earhart and Sacagawea for wax museums; playing Jessica in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice“; dipping churros in chocolate with my classmates in Madrid; and creating a digital interactive poster to honor my parents for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I will remember singing on the radio for chorus and practicing the piano for band concerts; passing out sugar cookies on St. Nicholas Day; and simply swinging on the swing at recess.
— W H I T B Y G R A D U AT E
Inspired by discoveryChildren are born with dignity, a sense of pride, and an inquisitive nature that spurs them to wonder about their world. When this innate drive is liberated, as it is with Whitby’s inquiry-based curriculum, children remarkably become both self-determined and community minded. Our dedicated and highly experienced teachers gently and respectfully guide children forward without ever doing their thinking for them.
Active learning is a major feature of the Whitby experience. Our students derive knowledge not only from what the teacher tells them but also from what the teacher asks them and from the work they do themselves answering their own questions.
There is no other place that lets students become what they want to become and follow all of their dreams.
— W H I T B Y G R A D U AT E
Fearless achievers Our low student to faculty ratio ensures children’s individual needs and aspirations as learners are met, and their progress is closely monitored. From toddler to 8th grade graduate, Whitby students progressively build their thinking and learning skills, sense of social responsibility, and self-motivation.
It’s no wonder two thirds of our students qualify for the prestigious John Hopkins Talent Search and that our graduates find success in both acceptance rates and achievement at highly competitive secondary schools. Our goal is to ensure each graduate continues their education at a secondary school best suited to their strengths, interests and needs.
Although I leave Whitby somewhat teary eyed, I move on from Whitby fearless.
— W H I T B Y G R A D U AT E
WARM AND WELCOMING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Whitby prepares students to be responsible, global citizens, and this mission plays out uniquely in our population: Whitby families and faculty come from more than 40 countries and speak more than 15 languages. Many parents choose Whitby expressly because it offers true multicultural diversity and because they are excited about cross-cultural learning from family to family and classmate to classmate.
We further expand these culturally flexible minds with the introduction of Spanish starting in the Children’s House, though for some students, it will be their third or fourth language. Language instruction intensifies as our students progress, so that by Upper School graduation they are speaking, reading and writing in Spanish.
When new families join the Whitby community of parents, students, faculty and staff, they become part of an internationally aware culture that values friendship, compassion, involvement and service.
MONTESSORI METHODRooted in the child’s innate inclination to learn, Montessori’s activity-based methodologies are proven to develop independent learners from the earliest ages.
A BLEND OF TWO WOEDUCATIONAL
Whitby is the only pre-K to 8th grade school in America accredited by both the American Montessori Society and the International Baccalaureate. In both philosophy and implementation, the two are seamlessly balanced, putting Whitby at the forefront of educational best practices.
For our students, this blend promises that no matter the interest or learning style, there will be a powerful connection in the classroom. Because of Montessori and IB, Whitby is an academically forward and challenging environment that inspires students to the highest levels of achievement.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATEThe IB is an internationally recognized, transdisciplinary curriculum that gives children the intellectual tools to understand and successfully navigate the complexities of today’s world.
WO WORLD-RENOWNED NAL APPROACHES.
Whitby is the only pre-K to 8th grade school in America accredited by both the American Montessori Society and the International Baccalaureate. In both philosophy and implementation, the two are seamlessly balanced, putting Whitby at the forefront of educational best practices.
For our students, this blend promises that no matter the interest or learning style, there will be a powerful connection in the classroom. Because of Montessori and IB, Whitby is an academically forward and challenging environment that inspires students to the highest levels of achievement.
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Current research confirms that the first years of life are crucial in a child’s brain development. This is when children have the greatest capacity and appetite for learning— especially in language development and socialization. At Whitby, our entire program seeks to support the young child (and their family) as they begin the journey of becoming lifelong learners.
The Children’s House is dedicated to educating our youngest learners. The motto here is “Follow the Child.” In well-ordered, developmentally appropriate classrooms, under the guidance of expertly trained, experi-enced and caring teachers, children’s own love of exploration allows them to take the lead in their learning.
Children’s House is designed specifically to foster social and cognitive development and to lay the academic foundation for learning in practical life, sensorial experiences, math, language, culture and science. One expression of this learning is each child researching and preparing an animal habitat study including a diorama and oral presentation to older students.
kPROGRAMSFirst Steps 14 monthsStepping Stones 18 monthsPrimary 1/Pre-K 3 yearsPrimary 2/Pre-K 4 yearsPrimary 3/Kindergarten 5 years
CHILDREN’S HOUSE
Mixed-age classes of grades 1 and 2 and of grades 3 and 4 are Whitby’s Lower School. Here, elementary children spend two full years with the same teachers—who come to know each child extremely well— creating a secure and comfortable learning environment to quickly harness potential.
This multi-aging experience accelerates an early passion for learning. Under our Montessori-IB curriculum, Lower School students more concretely build fundamental skills in English, math and science by delving into units that relate and integrate these disciplines. For example, under the transdisciplinary theme of “Where We Are in Time and Place,” Whitby students explore the central idea of how architecture reflects the 14through
LOWER SCHOOL
function, beauty, spiritual significance and power of a culture. Through its “How The World Works” unit, lower school science classes investigate different forms of finite and renewable energy by considering its applications to daily living, its financial and environmental costs, as well as its transformation or conservation resulting from existing or future technologies.
By crossing subject boundaries and developing holistic conclusions, Whitby elementary students practice methodologies that will be the basis for their future academic accomplishments. 14 LEVELSLower Elementary Grades 1 & 2Middle Elementary Grades 3 & 4
In grades 5-8, Whitby students pursue an academically rigorous IB curriculum called the Middle Years Program (MYP). Our Upper School multi-aged classrooms ask students to be both role models and school leaders. This collaboration solidifies knowledge, critical thinking skills, independence and self-confidence as unique individuals, while demonstrating a commitment to others.
Study units with themes such as Approaches to Learning; Community and Service; Human Ingenuity; Environments and Health; and Social Education require Upper School students to think meaningfully and globally. Students also have at their fingertips numerous innovative technologies including web-based,
artificially intelligent assessment and learning systems, as well as Smart-boards and a wide variety of software and online applications to take class assignments to their full potential.
The high standards of performance required by the IB program are what drive our students’ secondary school success. The result is Whitby graduates attend a variety of highly selective secondary schools, with 90 percent accepted at their first choice of high school.
LEVELSUpper Elementary Grades 5 & 6Middle School Grades 7 & 8
UPPER SCHOOL
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOMWhitby knows a truly integrated approach to learning goes beyond the classroom and offers:
Energizing physical education program fostering students’ interest in both recreational and competitive interscholastic team sports
Fine and performing arts program, with music, art and drama activities closely linked to classroom units of inquiry
Individualized instruction for students needing extra support and for advanced learners, provided by SAIL, the Special Assistance in Learning team
Healthy, organic snack foods
Enriching after school activities and summer programs ranging from creative writing and chess to golf and hiking
Community service and global citizenship activities
Leadership opportunities
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AT A GLANCEFounded in 1958— America’s oldest existing Montessori School
392 students from 14 months to grade 8
Only U.S. school accredited by both the American Montessori Society and the International Baccalaureate for pre-K to grade 8
Recognized for a proven, exemplary academic program and highly trained, experienced staff
Low 6:1 student-faculty ratio
Diverse student body with 40 countries represented
Spanish taught beginning at age 2
Modern facilities on beautiful 25-acre campus
65% of our students qualify for the prestigious Johns Hopkins Talent Search
90% of Whitby grads accepted at their first choice of high school
Building upon the principles of the Montessori philosophy and the International Baccalaureate Programs, Whitby School inspires academic excellence, independence and a passion for learning while motivating our students to confidently take action as contributing members of a diverse global community.
9 6 9 L a k e A v e n u e G r e e n w i c h , C T 0 6 8 3 1 2 0 3 . 8 6 9 . 8 4 6 4 w h i t b y s c h o o l . o r g