By the numbers

87
years since the founding of Long Ridge
221
musical instruments on campus
14
beautiful wooded acres for learning and exploring

Celebrating Childhood, Preparing for the Future at Long Ridge

Discover a unique environment where young children flourish through an education designed just for them. With an exclusive focus on nursery and elementary students, and a progressive, individualized approach, Long Ridge nurtures each child’s strengths and interests, engaging and challenging the youngest learners in a safe, joyful setting. On our expansive, idyllic campus, we offer an experiential, interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages inquiry and creative thinking inside and outside the classroom.

Since our founding over 80 years ago, social-emotional development has been at the core of our mission. Our multi-age, two-year classrooms and low student-teacher ratio foster meaningful relationships. As older students learn alongside younger ones, they develop confidence, empathy, cooperation, and leadership skills.

Our graduates are well prepared for whatever comes next—from the secondary schools of their choice to careers that build on the passions they first explored at Long Ridge.

As our founder Harriet Rowland said, Long Ridge is a place where “loving kindness prevails.” That philosophy extends to our students’ families. We welcome all to be part of our inclusive, down-to-earth community of parents, teachers, and students who value education and help build a foundation for a fulfilling future.

Two Long Ridge students study microscope slides.

Strong Academics in a Joyful, Safe Environment

With an exclusive focus on early childhood and elementary education and all resources directed to providing opportunities for young children, collaboration with teachers and students fosters excellence in science, arts and math, encourages risk taking, and builds confidence, all while cultivating a love of learning for a lifetime.

Two Long Ridge students explore different types of rocks and gems.

Theme-Based Interdisciplinary Approach

Our inquiry-based approach helps children learn to grow as leaders, express themselves as artists, think like scientists, and gain the confidence of athletes. Through our specialty class offerings, our students are challenged to take on diverse perspectives as they communicate and represent their thoughts and ideas in multiple ways.

Long Ridge students explore nature surrounding campus.

Expansive Wooded Campus and Inclusive Community

Our students enjoy learning in and about nature on our 14 acre wooded campus and our flexible, intentional interior spaces are tailored to engaging learning experiences. Our close-knit, inclusive community is warm and unpretentious, with faculty, leadership, and families bringing a wide breadth of life experiences and perspectives.

A bulletin board titled, "Emotions Matter" with emotions displayed in quadrants.

Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

Long Ridge incorporates the Yale RULER approach to social-emotional learning consistently across all grades, helping students recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate emotions. Through daily practice, children build empathy, self-awareness, and communication skills—nurturing emotional intelligence and developing thoughtful global citizens

Long Ridge students perform in a choreography concert.

Performing Arts

In twice-weekly music classes, students are introduced to a wide variety of instruments and sounds; they learn to read music and perform in groups, sometimes making their own instruments. Through frequent performances, students have opportunities to act in plays and musicals, participate in instrumental ensembles and perform in our annual all-school production.

Three generations of Long Ridge alumni pose for a photo.

Life After Long Ridge

Our fifth grade graduates are accepted into the area's best middle and high schools, and experience seamless transitions. Our school placement team supports and guides families and students every step of the way through the exmissions process in finding the best fit for their next school. Our alumni remain in touch through alumni events and campus visits.

Real Talk

Long Ridge’s philosophy of open tolerance and thoughtful intellectual and emotional growth served as a uniquely powerful foundation for success in adult life. It was at The Long Ridge School that I first fell in love with my career field, science.

~
Ben I., former student
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Aaron Miller '09

One of the things I treasure most about Long Ridge is the palpable love the teachers and staff have for the community and each student. When I send our daughter to school in the morning, I know she is going into a warm and loving environment with educators that are personally invested in cultivating her social, academic, and emotional development.

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Aycha S., current parent

The Long Ridge School set the standard for the rest of my children’s educational journeys. Here they developed the love of learning and how to respect and be respected.

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Louise H., former parent

One of my favorite aspects of a Long Ridge School education is the dual-age classroom. Our family has seen firsthand how this format allows the teachers to really individualize each of our child’s learning. This approach makes their intellectual experience more robust and dynamic and fosters their social and emotional growth.

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Shanti H., current parent and trustee
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