Head of School's Blog

Growing Our Place-Based Learning at Fayerweather

10/9/2025

Kim Ridley, Head of School

School officially began just one month ago, and what a month it has been! In such a short time, our students have jumped right into the kind of vibrant, hands-on learning that defines Fayerweather. They’ve built community with their classmates, ventured out on field trips, created beautiful art, launched new writing projects, and even explored physics by designing solar-powered cars.

One of my favorite moments came when two students excitedly invited me onto the balcony in the big yard to watch their creations in action. Their faces lit up as the sunlight hit the batteries and their cars began to move. In Stacy’s science class, I saw every student fully engaged, working together, troubleshooting, and celebrating when their designs came to life. These are the kinds of moments that remind us just how powerful learning can be when students are curious, invested, and connected.

Looking ahead, one of my top priorities this year is to advance the strategic goals in our 2030 plan, Fayerweather 2030: A Future of Purpose. At the heart of this work is elevating our experiential learning model, something that has always been central to Fayerweather’s mission. For nearly 60 years, this commitment to learning by doing, following student interests, and creating space for exploration and critical inquiry has defined who we are. Now, we have the exciting opportunity to take this model to the next level together.

Our first goal in the Strategic Plan is to “Elevate Fayerweather’s Experiential Learning Model.” At its core, this goal is about enhancing what we already do well by intentionally integrating a Place-Based Learning approach. So, what does Place-Based Learning mean? Simply put, it involves using the world around us—our community, culture, history, and environment—as a living classroom. Students don’t just learn big ideas through books or lessons; they experience them in real-world settings where they can see, touch, and interact directly. This type of learning helps children make meaningful connections between people, places, and knowledge. It sparks curiosity, sharpens academic skills, and demonstrates how learning and action come together in powerful ways.

We already see this approach in action across various parts of our program. For instance, our PreK–2 students deepen their curiosity and wonder through nature-based learning at the Fresh Pond Reservation. Similarly, the 3–4 project studying the Mystic River gave students the opportunity to explore science, history, writing, and culture on-site, making the learning both memorable and meaningful. Students invited multiple environmental activists and city council members to speak to the school community. They wrote, published, and sold poetry to the school community, with proceeds going toward caring for the Mystic River. This is what it looks like when we elevate experiential learning: students not only gain knowledge, but also see themselves as connected, capable, and engaged citizens of the world.

A Generous First Step

We are thrilled to share that a generous donor has already stepped up to support this vision by funding an incredible opportunity: three of our teachers and one administrator will travel to New York City this fall to attend PBL in the City, a three-day Project-Based Learning conference hosted at the United Federation of Teachers Building in partnership with NYSCATE and PBLWorks.

This foundational workshop is nationally recognized as one of the best ways for educators to begin or deepen their learning. Over the course of three days, our team will:

Design a Gold Standard project to bring back to our students.
Learn equity-centered teaching practices that ensure all learners can thrive.
Experience the PBL process themselves, modeling the kind of inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving we want for our students.
Leave with a personalized project planner and clear next steps for implementation at Fayerweather.

Why This Matters for Our Students

This opportunity directly connects to our strategic plan’s commitment to elevating experiential learning, creating more exciting opportunities that link social justice, vigorous academics, and real-world engagement. By investing in Place-Based Learning, we are helping students not only master important skills but also see how learning lives in the world around them, and make a positive difference in the lives of other human beings.

We can’t wait to see how this experience will inspire our teachers, shape our curriculum, and bring new energy to classrooms across our school. And this is just the beginning. With your partnership, generosity, and enthusiasm, we’ll continue building a learning environment where children spread their wings, try new things, and see their world as a place of possibility. More to come!

In partnership,

Kim

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