Hello!

What is Apple Orchard School?

Apple Orchard School is an independent preschool and kindergarten in Brookline, Massachusetts, serving children ages 2.9 through 6. Founded in 1971, the school is located in a renovated barn in the heart of Allandale Farm, where children learn through play, relationships, hands-on exploration, and daily experiences in nature.

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What makes Apple Orchard different from other preschools?

Our setting is an important part of who we are. Apple Orchard is located on 100 acres at Allandale Farm, giving children opportunities to learn in fields, woods, gardens, around the pond, and alongside animals. Our curriculum combines this extraordinary outdoor environment with intentional classroom learning, creative play, strong relationships, and attention to each child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

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What ages does Apple Orchard School serve?

Apple Orchard serves children from 2.9 through 6 years old. Our program includes the Chicken Coop for our youngest children, followed by Class I, Class II, and Class III, our kindergarten year.

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What is Apple Orchard's educational philosophy?

We believe young children learn best through play, movement, exploration, meaningful relationships, and direct experience with the world around them. Our program draws from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, socio-dramatic play, and other developmentally appropriate practices. Rather than asking young children simply to memorize information, we create opportunities for them to wonder, experiment, solve problems, communicate, collaborate, and discover.

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Is Apple Orchard a nature-based preschool?

Nature is central to the Apple Orchard experience. Children spend a significant portion of their school day outdoors throughout the year. The farm, woods, fields, pond, rocks, plants, weather, and animals become natural extensions of the classroom and provide countless opportunities for learning.

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How much time do children spend outside?

A great deal! Outdoor learning is part of everyday life at Apple Orchard rather than an occasional activity. Depending on the weather and the needs of the children, students may spend time running through fields, exploring the woods, visiting animals, observing the pond, climbing, building, gardening, sledding, jumping in puddles, or simply noticing what has changed on the farm since the day before.

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Do children go outside in cold or wet weather?

Yes. We believe children benefit from experiencing the outdoors throughout the seasons. With appropriate clothing and gear, cold, mud, rain, and snow become opportunities for exploration and play. Teachers adjust activities and provide warm-up breaks as needed when temperatures are particularly cold.

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What does play-based learning mean at Apple Orchard?

Play is one of the primary ways young children learn. Through play, children develop communication, problem-solving, creativity, flexibility, empathy, cooperation, independence, and confidence. At Apple Orchard, teachers thoughtfully create environments and experiences that allow children to develop these skills while also building the foundations for later academic learning.

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Do children learn traditional academic skills?

Yes, but in ways that are meaningful and developmentally appropriate for young children. Early literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, language, and other foundational skills are woven throughout classroom activities, projects, conversations, stories, games, and outdoor experiences. Counting might happen while jumping from stump to stump, science while observing pond life, and problem-solving while constructing something with friends.

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How does Apple Orchard support children's social and emotional development?

Relationships are at the center of our program. Teachers help children learn to communicate their needs, listen to others, solve problems, navigate friendships, participate in a community, and see themselves as capable learners. We want children to develop confidence in themselves while learning how to care for and work with others.

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What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

Apple Orchard's average student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 7:1. Our teachers work closely with children and families and get to know each child as an individual learner.

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How large is Apple Orchard School?

Apple Orchard currently serves approximately 98 children. We are large enough to offer a rich school community while maintaining the close relationships and sense of connection that have been central to Apple Orchard since its founding.

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What are the school hours?

The Morning Program runs Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Apple Orchard also offers extended programming through Sandwich Club on select afternoons. Program schedules vary by class and day, so families should check our current Schedule and Tuition pages for details.

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Does Apple Orchard offer kindergarten?

Yes. Class III is Apple Orchard's kindergarten program for children ages five to six. It builds on the social, emotional, cognitive, creative, and physical development begun during the preschool years while continuing Apple Orchard's play-based and outdoor approach to learning.

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Does Apple Orchard offer tuition assistance?

Yes. Apple Orchard is committed to making the school accessible to a diverse community of families. Approximately 20% of students currently receive some tuition assistance through the school's scholarship program. Families interested in financial assistance can learn more during the admissions process.

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How does the admissions process work?

The admissions process gives families an opportunity to learn about Apple Orchard's program, philosophy, and farm setting while allowing the school to get to know prospective families. The process generally includes a tour and parent or guardian interview before an application is submitted. Specific dates and application deadlines vary by class, so families should visit our Admissions page for current information.

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Can prospective families visit Apple Orchard?

Yes. Apple Orchard offers opportunities for prospective parents and guardians to tour the school and experience the farm setting. Because tour dates and admissions schedules change from year to year, families should check the Admissions page or contact the school for current availability.

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Does Apple Orchard have animals?

Absolutely. Animals have been part of the Apple Orchard experience since the school's earliest years. Children may encounter our miniature horse, goats, donkey, chickens, and other farm animals as well as the many wild creatures that share the farm environment - from ducks, turtles and frogs to deer, foxes, hawks and herons.

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How does Apple Orchard approach diversity and belonging?

Apple Orchard is committed to creating a community in which children, families, and faculty feel welcomed, connected, and valued. Teachers help children notice and appreciate differences, challenge stereotypes, develop empathy, and learn about people, families, cultures, and experiences beyond their own.

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Where is Apple Orchard School located?

Apple Orchard School is located at 282-D Newton Street in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Allandale Farm. Our location allows families to have the convenience of a school close to Boston while giving children daily access to an unusually large natural learning environment.

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What do you hope children take with them when they leave Apple Orchard?

We want children to leave Apple Orchard seeing themselves as curious, capable, confident learners. We hope they carry with them a love of learning, comfort in the natural world, strong relationships, the confidence to ask questions and try new things, and an understanding that they are important members of a larger community.