Dignity
We stand in awe of the courage of the beginning learner. We aim to create a secure, caring educational atmosphere where respect for the emotional and intellectual needs of our young learners is held as our highest value.

Education
A developmentally appropriate curriculum in all subject areas provides the most flexible framework for encouraging our students to develop lifelong skills as critical thinkers, self-motivated learners and independent decision makers. While building a solid academic foundation, we seek creative approaches to educating our young and search for innovative responses to meet the varied needs of our students.

Community
The Island School is a community of children, teachers, parents, grandparents, and friends working together so that each child has the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential as an individual and as a group member. Adults and children do their best learning and living together when respect and consideration for others are valued and honored by all members of the community.

Responsibility
We set high standards in non-academic areas such as being sensitive to others, caring for our various learning tools, and respecting our school's physical environment. We introduce the children to a larger community and encourage them to question what roles they can play in caring for their world.

Fun
Wise people before us have proclaimed play to be children's work. The heart of our school lies in our efforts to keep the joy of learning alive by filling our children's days with wonder, play, good humor and discovery. We reserve space and time for children to BE children.

We believe that the best learning in early childhood takes place in a secure and caring environment. At The Island School, children are friends with adults as well as with peers. Our students enjoy coming to school. We maintain a small, close-knit family atmosphere, small class size and a talented, committed faculty and administration.