k - 8 Elementary School
Growth Discovery Community
outdoor inspired, experiential learning on 740 acres of protected land in the CT river valley.
A place where everyone belongs, students are heard, and ideas are fostered.
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Our Story
Steward is a place where learners are engaged through a holistic approach with the teachings of nature as our guide. A program of Incarnation Center, we thrive on a 740 acre classroom with a 135+ year legacy of delivering life-changing education and recreation programs.
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Curriculum
We believe that learning is innate. It happens fastest and lasts longest when done through play, exploration and discovery. While we do follow the CT Core Curriculum standards, our students find themselves marveling over nature and gaining a better understanding of themselves and the world through our hands on experiential teaching model.
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Creative Concepts
At Steward, we know the importance of finding and developing individual passions. Elective courses rotate throughout the year and allow students to explore their personal interests while also learning new worldly skills. Specialty areas include art, music, Spanish, wood working, cooking, and farm.
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A day in the life
We believe every day should begin with a positive and welcoming start. Each morning, students greet one another in our morning circle, which is inspired by the Responsive Classroom model. Our daily schedule provides time to learn, explore, find adventure, connect with peers and nature, and recharge
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Steward Outdoor Day School is a program of Incarnation Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) with a 130+ year legacy of delivering life-changing education, retreat and camping programs to thousands of youth and adults from across the country and around the world each year.
Students who learn outdoors develop:
Confidence
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independence
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problem-solving skills
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creativity
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critical thinking
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empathy
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fine & gross motor skills
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self-discipline
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initiative
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resilience
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Confidence • independence • problem-solving skills • creativity • critical thinking • empathy • fine & gross motor skills • self-discipline • initiative • resilience •
What People Are Saying about steward
“I think the learning is better especially because of the range of all ages. A lot of time the “olders” help the “youngers” - sometimes I’m learning from other kids and sometimes I’m teaching others, it just depends who really knows or understands a topic. Sometimes it’s confusing the way a teacher explains it but kids know how other kids think and can explain it in a way that makes sense when you’re struggling.”
- E.V. 4th grade
“My son get's so much out of the Steward School. First and foremost, an appreciation and connection to the natural world. He deeply cares and understands more about plants and animals than an average adult. Steward is raising human beings that will be good stewards to the planet. He learns about how Indigenous People lived and function and takes those "back to basics" practices with him in everything he does in and out of school. In addition, the quality and depth of what he learns is greater than my experience at some public schools. He is a learner, so seeing and hearing different perspectives and levels of teachings gives him the opportunity to absorb more content than what might be shared with him in a traditional first grade classroom. He is reading at a third grade level and trying all sorts of elevated math and science work. He loves the art program as well! They work on unique and diverse art projects throughout the year that really speak to him. He loves to move his body and is able to naturally do that at Steward”.
- Parent of a 1st grade student
“We have learned so much from our son! He has taken us on hikes and taught us to identify all the rocks we find. He wants to teach us about math because it's fun for him now! This has been a great experience for him, and us.”
- Parent of a 4th grade student
Located in Ivoryton, CT
“Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the younger, it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart.”
-Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods
Follow our adventures in learning!
