Page 6 - North Haven Magazine Issue 27 Winter 2023

S
by Marisa Hexter
LATE
LATE SCHOOL:
S SLATE SCHOOL:
CHOOL:
S SLATE S CHOOL:

a
-B
Curiosity
Curiosity-Based Learning
sed Learning
n the Fall of 2018, a new school opened its doors in North Haven. Structured around
I“nature and curiosity-based learning,” Slate School is helping in changing the landscape
of education into a child-centered learning experience for all ages. The founding of Slate
School was led by Jennifer Staple Clark, who continues to lead the school as Founder,
Innovator, and Connector, and Alexander Clark. Julie Mountcastle, who is Head of the
School, joined the Clark’s mission early on in the development of the school. Through her
years of experience in the education field, Mountcastle was able to develop a curriculum
both developmentally appropriate and rigorous, in tune with the school’s mission of curi-
osity-led learning. Located on Mansfield Road, they found the perfect spot to “fulfill our
mission and vision for a nature-based school.” Their full campus, at 40 acres, allows their
students to extend their classroom beyond school walls and provides experiential hands-
on learning. Both the Lower and Upper Schools were designed by Patriquin Architects
and built by Gilbane Building Company.
Morning meeting in the Piney woods
Because of the school’s unique approach to Education Fund, a national non-profit fund Mountcastle has been a resident of North
education and learning, Slate School con- that supports entrepreneurs in education and Haven for 19 years and enjoys seeing the
structs a different method of engagement helps accelerate and give the opportunity for relationship between the town and the Slate
within the classroom. “Learning at Slate their ideas. School community. “It is truly great now to
School is integrated and interdisciplinary. We see how this town that I love is becoming
do not separate literacy, math, science, and important to children and families from so
social studies…We instead integrate multiple many other towns in our state and beyond…
disciplines within real-world applications, It is also thrilling to share Slate School's lo-
and we authentically assess students.” The cation every time we present an Education
school hosts 4-6 project cycles during each Idea Lab to the world -- we've had more than
school year. Within these cycles, students 160,000 participants in our Education Idea
are choosing a topic on which they are inde- Lab, which is a free professional development
pendently working with in-depth research for opportunity for educators and others. Now all
two months. During this time, the students of these Education Idea Lab participants from
are provided with several ways to learn, re- six continents have heard about the town of
search, and understand their topics. “For North Haven, Connecticut. It is essential that
a significant portion of each day, students Kindergarten students decorate journals we recognize the places that support innova-
read, take notes, write, build, think about tive and excellent education in the world."
the mathematical relationship to their topic, When asked what they enjoy the most about
collaborate with peers, and contemplate the being part of Slate School, Clark stated, "It
important questions they develop.” Project has been remarkable to develop Slate School
topics that have been selected in the past year from a small idea into a remarkable com-
have ranged from Green Mythology to South munity of student and faculty learners and
Korea and Dyslexia. collaborators. I have the gift and privilege of
working with the most incredible people ev-
Since Slate School’s initial creation and foun- ery day here at Slate School, and I marvel at
dation, they have received much support the phenomenal learning environments that
from the town and surrounding communi- they have created for the children. It is be-
ty. “We are grateful to collaborate with many yond what I could have ever imagined when I Guided Discovery on the 40-acre campus
volunteers from The Agency on Aging, wel- first hoped to create a curiosity-driven school
come friends and neighbors for campus and here in North Haven." Mountcastle had a very
nature conservancy tours, and share our similar sentiment, adding, “...I would have to Slate School offers children the opportunity
campus with representatives from local or- say though, that the single most incredible to learn their way. Through nature, curiosity,
ganizations such as the Regional Water Au- part of teaching here is the dramatic effect and hands-on experience, the students now
thority, United Illuminating, Boys and Girls of working in and through the diverse and are integrating their education into what fits
Club, and WTNH. We have also developed thriving natural environment of our amazing them. Through the idea of Jennifer Staple
a consortium with three local colleges and campus. Finding the connections between Clark, the experience of Julie Mountcastle,
universities (Quinnipiac, Albertus Magnus, the children's interests and our rich environ- and the loyal help of parents, teachers, stu-
and Southern Connecticut State University) ment, and mining those to learn about and dents, and the community involved, Slate
to jointly host education thought leaders to appreciate our world, is the most life-affirm- School has blossomed into an international-
advance curiosity-driven education.” Slate ing work I have ever experienced." ly known child-centered learning experience
School has also won an award from the VELA unlike anything else.

North Haven Magazine - Winter Issue 2023
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