Red Oaks School Celebrates 45 Years

New SMART Boards and Kindles, with access to an electronic school library, join other 21st century technologies to energize the learning process within the classrooms at the Red Oaks School building at 21 Cutler St. These tools enable a globally focused curriculum, enhanced by visiting educators and artists, and a commitment to providing a rigorous and dynamic education. It is this mix of tradition and innovation that the Red Oaks community celebrates during this 45th anniversary.

The Red Oaks School story begins in 1965. Originally named The Montessori Children’s House of Morristown (MCH), Red Oaks was the brainchild of a group of local university grad students and their families seeking a more progressive educational model for their children. The new school’s curriculum was based on the Montessori Method, which emphasizes active learning in a carefully designed environment. From the time of its inception, the school’s objective has been to encourage a love of learning, and empower students in the development a strong social conscience, and a spirit of discovery This small group of Morristown area families began holding classes in their homes.

In April of 1968, the rapidly growing community needed a permanent home, so school officials purchased and began to renovate the historic Cutler Homestead at 21 Cutler Street in Morristown. The original structure, which formed the heart of the building, had been erected by Joseph Cutler for Silas Condict in 1799. Condict was a 19th century farmer, surveyor, Revolutionary War patriot, and a member of the Provincial Legislature and Continental Congress. The building that stands at 21 Cutler Street today has been a beloved work-in-progress for several generations of MCH and Red Oaks parents and administrators. A 1989 capital campaign funded the 1990 renovations, and in 2000 a dilapidated garage became the school’s Art Studio.

In 2006, Montessori Children’s House changed its name to “The Red Oaks School.” With its new name and fresh identity Red Oaks further established itself as a premier independent school whose mission is to prepare students to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. The Red Oaks School provides a 21st Century curriculum focused on critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

With the understanding that all learning is interrelated, a yearly school-wide cultural focus encourages students of all ages to look at science, math, social studies, language, art, and music from a shared vantage point. This year students are studying the many countries, regions, and cultures of Africa. Through this lens they have received lessons in environmental and earth science, compared social and political structures, discovered the connection between art and craft, learned about oral traditions in history and literature, and explored the important role of music to all.

The school’s focus on Africa is also shared by the wider community including Red Oaks parents, grandparents, alumni, founders, and friends who will gather on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, More than 250 attendees will help celebrate the 45th anniversary at the school’s annual Circle of Friends Gala & Auction with, of course, an African theme! Special guests will include students from the 2001 sixth grade class, many who are just finishing up at colleges and universities across the country. Current head of school Marilyn Stewart explains, “This anniversary is especially meaningful for me because my first sixth grade class when I joined Red Oaks in 2001 graduates from college this year. As is the case with many students and their families who graduate from Red Oaks, we stay in touch across the years.”

After 45 years, it is the traditions of The Red Oaks School that keep families and alumni connected. At the start of a new decade the school’s commitment to providing students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to meet the many challenges associated with these transformative times is stronger than ever.