What is The Common School?

The Common School is an independent, innovative, progressive school for children ages 3 to 12. Founded in 1967 and located in Amherst, Massachusetts, The Common School offers an alternative educational setting for families across the Pioneer Valley. Mixed-age classrooms, an integrated curriculum, and an emphasis on the social and emotional, as well as academic, development of children are key components of our program.

Larch Hill Collaborative

The Common School has joined with our neighbors, the Hitchcock Center for theEnvironment and Bramble Hill Farm, to create the Larch Hill Collaborative. Our mission statement reads "Joined by common values and borders, the members of the Larch Hill Collaborative share resources, land, and facilities to enrich their educational programs and to promote stewardship of the land." Common School children enjoy the benefits of sharing over 140 acres of adjacent protected farm and conservation land. Our children are able to experience the joys and wonders of learning about the environment in our very own extended back yard.

Tour The Common School

The best way to see The Common School in action is to have a personal tour. Our oldest students offer these tours November through June during our morning Choice Time beginning at 8:45. Each tour ends with a private meeting with our Outreach Administrator Dana Kadish, where prospective parents can discuss specific questions about their child. We begin scheduling tours in late October. Call us at 413-256-8989 to schedule a tour.

School Calendar
2007 - 2008

Employment Opportunities at
The Common School

Charitable giving - Find out how you can help the financial health and vitality of our school.