THE ORIGINAL VISION

Pat and Jim Montgomery envisioned a place where children of all creeds and races and ages might learn and grow in an unhurried, relaxed atmosphere.   The democratic principles on which our country was built would become a reality in the everyday lives of the teachers and students.   Parents would share intimately in the life of the school and in the education of their children.   The school would enroll only a limited number of students so that the students would be known to one another, to the parents, and to the staff.   Students would be taught, in addition to the academic subjects, the ways to handle problems and resolve the conflicts which inevitably arise in the workings of the group.   Children would be free to make mistakes, to learn by their mistakes, and to grow in the process.   They would be respected as thinking, feeling human beings and be treated humanely.   The issues affecting our lives daily - the environment, war and peace, world issues - would be part of the curriculum.   Travel would also be an integral part of the curriculum.   Every aspect of a student's growth - physical, spiritual, mental and psychological - would receive attention.

This vision has been a reality at Clonlara School since 1967.   All of us at Clonlara are proud to continue the Montgomerys' legacy of dedicated service to those seeking a better method of education for children.   See our History for further details on how the vision, mission and philosophy became bricks and mortar.

PHILOSOPHY

The Clonlara School philosophy is that a school must empower learners to participate purpose- fully and eagerly in their own educations.   We believe that learning begins with curiosity.   Our experience providing an open environment that fosters creativity has confirmed our belief that children learn best when their interests guide their activities.   Clonlara School believes that parents have the right and ability to educate their own children.   Clonlara School views the world as the classroom and considers the learning environment integral to the learning process.   We believe that a school should allow its students to participate in the design and application of the curriculum.   We believe that academic learning and the mastery of skills are not limited by the location in which they are sought, either in a school or at home.   Our approach to education leads to a lifelong love of learning.

MISSION STATEMENT

Clonlara School's mission is to provide programs and services that recognize and support a learner's curiosity, strengths, interests and talents as the foundation of his or her educational experience.