Suburban Life - Central Bucks/Montgomery - Issue #9 (September 2022)

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SL_PROFILE_Gladwyne Montessori_0922_Final_Layout 1 10 / 5 / 22 2 : 30 PM Page 2 Gladwyne Montessori By the Numbers 240 60 55 20 10 : 1 6 : 1 Current number Years in Number of staff Average Average Average of students , operation and faculty classroom size student - to - student - to - ages six teacherratio in teacherratio in weeks to the primary and the toddler 12 years elementary program program At Gladwyne Montessori , faculty are trained to deliver three years 1962 , continues to this day . of curriculum in their multi - aged classrooms , serving students varying “ Womencreated this , ” says Shangle , who has 30 years of experience in ages from six weeks to 12 years old . They provide students with in education . “ Mothers created this school . These are super women . the gift of time to absorb and practice new concepts , the ability to And Dr . Montessori started all of it . We’re followers of what she push ahead as they achieve mastery , and the opportunity to explore dedicated her entire life to researching and developing . She’s a role their curiosity without limits . model for women and to those who may not believe they belong . We The Montessori education process is based on the understanding talkto the children , even those as young as two or three , about how Dr . that learning is predicated upon the basic human urge to explore . Montessoridesigned the materials we use in class . Many of the skills identified as being essential for success today , such “ Another thing Dr . Montessori did is to escalate early childhood as initiative , self - direction , creativity , innovation , and social responsibility , education , ” she continues . “ Women are leaders and nurturers , not have always been prominent focuses of the Montessori philosophy . babysitters . This is not just daycare ; it’s child education . For women Gladwyne Montessori strives to develop these skills in all students . here , it’s a career steeped in science and education . Of the 55 “ Parents are often in shock when they observe what their child is members of our staff , 50 are women . ” capable of , ” Ruggles says . When a new parent drops a child off for the first time , Ruggles , Gladwyne Montessori not only observes its 60th year by celebrating Shangle , and the rest of the Gladwyne Montessori faculty understand its rich history , but also by preparing its students for the immense the parent’s worry . At the same time , they pride themselves on challenges of the future . Campus improvements consist of upgrading allaying those fears . and increasing facilities and programs , including a nature trail , orchard , “ Wesend pictures and videos to parents and guardians throughout greenhouse , gardens , and playing field on two acres of outdoor the school day , ” Shangle says . “ We know parents are nervous . One learning spaces , and the construction of a 1,600 - square - foot visual dad , after seeing the pictures and videos , told us we exceeded all his and industrial arts center . expectations.Now , they’re expecting another child . We hope to give Among the upgrades is an increased makerspace , a destination themanother experience equal to that of their first child . where students can create , problem solve , and develop skills , talents , “ We’re the only accredited Montessori school on the Main Line thinking , and mental rigor , either alone or alongside staff , parents , servinginfants through adolescents , ” she continues . “ I came here from and mentors . another well - established school in New Jersey , and I could have gone “ In the makerspace area , students engage in hands - on learning , ” anywhere.But I love that we have a tight - knit , family setting . We have says Ruggles . “ It’s art - based . Students are given a problem and work asense of community . We’re not just caring for and teaching children . to solve it . It’s a large space . There’s a kiln and classic art spaces . We It doesn’t feel like daycare . This feels like a giant house of love . ” n also have a large deck for outdoor learning , and increased spaces with fields and playgrounds that are age - appropriate with age - appropriate equipment . ” ? Gladwyne Montessori GwenShangle , Assistant Head of School , stands assured that the 920 YounGsford road | GladwYne , Pa 19035 foundation of learning established by Dr . Montessori in 1907 , as well as the vision of the seven female founders of the Gladwyne School in ( 610 ) 228 - 0445 | WWW.GLADWYNE.ORG SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 | 61

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SL_PROFILE_Perkiomen School_2 page_0922_final_Layout 1 10 / 5 / 22 1 : 32 PM Page 1 ALL ABOARD have a significant impact as we prepare the AT PERKIOMEN SCHOOL , THE “ DIFFERENCE MAKER ” OF students for college and beyond . ” Founded in 1875 and spread across a lush BOARDING SCHOOL CHANGES STUDENTS ’ LIVES IN A 185 - acrecampus in Pennsburg , Montgomery County , Perkiomen School is an independent , SAFE , ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED TO co - educational , college - preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades six HELP THEM THRIVE . through 12 , and also offers a year for post - graduate students . Perkiomen School features BY P H I L G I A N F I C A R O | P H OTO S BY J O DY R O B I N S O N fourdormitories , a dining hall , a health center , hen asked to cite perhaps the most significant benefit to students who attend boarding andfaculty housing . Students can take advan - school at Perkiomen School , Head of School Mark A . Devey has the answer on the tip tage of an athletic center with a swimming of his tongue . W pool , twogymnasiums , a weight room , eight “ The faculty are ever - present , ” says Devey , who has been leading the school since 2015 . tennis courts , multiple athletic fields , and an “ That is the biggest difference maker in changing the lives of these kids . Boarding offers indoorand outdoor batting cage . something different . ” Say a student is struggling in math and needs a tutor , is working on violin “ We are just about to complete our $ 30 lessons , plays afterschool sports , and wants to be in the drama production . If they’re at million capital campaign , which will fund a Perkiomen , they get all of that . Parents don’t have to scramble . It’s one - stop shopping . ” student center and new entrance to the Devey emphasizes the advantages of the student - staff connection for boarding students . campus , a track and turf field and three “ The benefit to boarding here is we have time with the students ; 95 percent of our teachers more full - size athletic fields , and an outdoor live on campus , ” he says , noting that 165 of Perkiomen’s 330 student population are boarders . play area , ” says Devey , whose commitment “ I worked at premier day schools all around the country . As outstanding as the school may have to the athletic programs is no surprise given been , at the end of each day , I felt an emptiness . One has so little time to interact with the his athletic career ; an All - America athlete , students . Devey starred on the soccer team at Moravian “ At Perkiomen , teachers and staff have extra time to invest in their students , ” he continues . Academy in Bethlehem and later at the Uni - “ We work with students around the clock , and we have a wonderful learning center for those versity of North Carolina and US U - 20 who need greater academic support . When students board here , we can better meet their National Team . needs in a warm and welcoming environment . These are the critical moments where we can Perkiomen School is among a small per - SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 62 |

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