Our Story
Alice Mendham Powell would shake her head as she watched school children sitting at desks, listening to teachers lecture from atop their pedestals, and only occasionally sneaking a peek out the window to get a glimpse of nature and the world around them. It all seemed so disconnected. “They’re ruining kids making them sit at tables,” Alice would say. “Think of what they could be learning!”
Alice wanted to change the world and believed that education was the engine of social change. She wanted to create a school where children formed a community to learn from experiences and make connections between school and the larger world. Everyone, even children, would have ideas others listened to and respected—a concept that was virtually unheard of in schools in 1934.
Today, 90 years later, Green Acres School remains a beacon of intellect, joy, and lifelong learning, a unique gem among educational institutions.
Explore our history through the decades.
From the beginning, Green Acres has been committed to making learning hands-on and engaging.
Our practice of calling every community member by their first name is one of the reasons Green Acres students are so comfortable talking to adults, advocating for themselves, and taking intellectual risks.
Field trips, outdoor education, and experiential learning are our bread and butter. (Fun fact: We still take this trip to Chincoteague, VA in Middle School!)
In spring 1990, Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood visited Green Acres, calling it a "superb school" and noting the "engaged children." Mister Rogers knows a great community when he sees one!
The gully is our picturesque outdoor amphitheater, a place for all-school gatherings like assemblies and our annual Olympics.
Green Acres teachers aren't just well-versed in child and adolescent development and best teaching practices—they find genuine joy in learning alongside students and watching them grow.
Having a 15-acre campus provides ample opportunities to foster a strong sense of environmental stewardship. Easy access to the outdoors from every classroom is key!
While our outdoor excursions might not look quite this risky anymore, the creek is still an important setting for lots of lessons, activities, and projects.
As the oldest students in the school, Middle Schoolers have unique opportunities to be leaders and role models for younger students—a responsibility they take seriously.
We place a high value on play, which is why students have two recesses per day all the way through Middle School. Time for self-directed play and activities gives students the opportunity to collaborate, problem solve, and gain independence.