The New Village School (NVS) is an independent school in Sausalito, California, from preschool through 8th grade.
The New Village School stands as a beacon of progressive education, equipping young minds with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world. By fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, we equip students with the skills they need to continue learning and growing throughout their lives. Our teaching methods instill a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
The New Village School embraces the vision of Austrian-born philosopher Rudolf Steiner and his application of developmental psychology, and a nature-based, arts-imbued, project-based curriculum in which children have ample time to explore with their senses.
The New Village School prioritizes small class sizes, meaningful and rigorous academics, media minimalism & a screen-free childhood, and an emphasis on social-emotional learning. Our curriculum includes our Classroom Without Walls (outdoor education) program across the Bay Area and on the school’s nearby farm and extensive class travel. Our curriculum prioritizes personalized, dynamic, and artistic learning experiences tailored to each child’s needs and potential.
Our holistic educational philosophy aims to instill a strong sense of self and community in our graduates. Through a well-rounded curriculum that imparts geographical, historical, and cultural orientation, we prepare our students for the challenges of high school and the journey of life itself.
Knowledge is constantly evolving in today’s fast-paced world. At the New Village School, our teachers are committed to bringing the freshest, most up-to-date content into the classroom. This approach ensures that students are learning the most relevant information and developing skills that are applicable to the modern world.
One of the cornerstones of our methodology is the "block" system of teaching, where students immerse themselves in a single subject each morning for an extended period, creating a deep and meaningful connection with the content.
At the New Village School, we recognize that the most meaningful learning occurs when students engage with the world directly. Our Classroom Without Walls program is designed to provide students with authentic, hands-on experiences that complement and enhance their academic studies. By venturing off-campus at least once a week, starting in kindergarten, students learn to see the world as their classroom, full of endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
In kindergarten, our youngest students begin their journey of exploration by walking to local harbors and beaches. As the students get older, their trips get longer and farther from home, starting with overnight campouts at local state parks to longer campouts in Mount Shasta, Joshua Tree National Park to three-week class journeys with their teachers to Europe (the students raise the money to cover that trip) and South America.
Languages offered include Russian, Japanese, Punjabi, and Spanish.
The New Village School offers a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community.
We recognize that parents play a crucial role in their child’s education. We encourage parental involvement through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and school events. By fostering a strong partnership between home and school, we create a supportive network that benefits the child’s overall development.
The school holds a Winter Fair, Festival of Lights, and the Cherry Blossom Festival, among other celebrations.