I love the kids that come here,

and the work is fun. 

I’m very glad my parents

send me to Brown School.”       

Grade 5 student

OUR MISSION

while striving for academic excellence.

Brown School’s teachers work to identify and develop the strengths of individual students, thereby stimulating discovery, imagination, and critical thinking. Small classes, a dedicated staff, and an innovative curriculum, combine to motivate children to reach their potential both academically and socially. The school’s nurturing environment supports a diverse student community and encourages confident, articulate learners, who are disciplined, responsible and respectful of others.

OUR HISTORY

Brown School was founded by Helen “Nellie” Brown in 1893. The school's objective was to offer an alternative to public schools, where small class sizes and an individualized approach to learning would foster self-confidence, intellectual curiosity and a life-long love of learning. Students who attended Brown School would be well prepared for further studies, having received a solid foundation in fundamental subjects.

More than a century later, Brown School's objective is still the same. Though we continue to stress academic fundamentals, our students also receive outstanding instruction in vocal and instrumental music, art, physical education, computer skills and foreign language study. We place a strong emphasis on scholastic excellence in an atmosphere that encourages personal and social growth. We value the development and appreciation of individual talents and achievement rather than competition. Our children acquire self-discipline and responsibility, while learning to recognize how their actions affect the nature and functioning of the school community and the larger community in which they live. We encourage the children to develop a sense of self-worth as well as a sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. The school population is heterogeneous, providing opportunities to stress respect for individual differences, be they cultural, social, economic or other.

Brown School is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and meets all the requirements of the State Education Department.  Brown School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and is a member of  National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and Capital Region Independent Schools Association (CRISA).  The Brown School Board of Trustees has fiduciary responsibility for the school and responsibility for the determination of school policy. The Board consists of parents, friends, administrators and a representative group of teachers.  All voting Board members are volunteers.  

Our tradition of small class size affords enormous flexibility in classroom instruction and enables us to provide a high degree of individualized instruction. Although the scope of the material to be covered is clearly defined by grade level, teachers have a great deal of autonomy regarding the methods they use in their classrooms. Student progress is measured through ongoing observation and assessment.

There is a close relationship among students, teachers and parents, and parent consultations occur frequently during the school year.

All teachers at Brown School are qualified in their fields and committed to the philosophy of the school. They devote a large amount of personal time to their jobs, and work as a team to solve problems and improve instruction. Our staff keeps abreast of current educational trends and research by attending graduate courses, conferences, workshops and in-service programs.