Mulberry School is an independent, private, non-profit school that provides children with the opportunity to learn in an environment that values curiosity and natural development. We work to “nurture the innate love of learning” by teaching children how, as opposed to what, to learn. Serving the Bloomington-Normal community since 1971, Mulberry School is a cooperative institution where parents have the opportunity to participate in nearly every aspect of the school. It is support and input that allows us to provide a unique learning experience for our students.
Mulberry Offers:
- Full and half day preschool classes for 3 through 5-year-olds.
- Full day Kindergarten.
- Full day first/second/third grade.
- Before and aftercare programs.
- A low student-to-teacher ratio (approximately 12 to 1).
The Mulberry School, formerly the New School, was founded in 1971 by a group of parents and students who were interested in establishing an alternative school which would offer an individualized, open program modeled after the British Infant School concept. Mulberry School has endured over fifty years of social change and has, without interruption, provided meaningful child-centered education to a diverse student body of two through eight-year-olds. The longevity of Mulberry School is a tribute to the dedicated teachers and parents who actively participate in the school’s functions.
Today Mulberry School offers a morning class for two-year-old’s, half day and full day preschool options for three, four, and five-year-old’s, a full-day Kindergarten, and first/second/third-grade education. Mulberry School’s academic program provides children with the opportunity to learn in an environment that values curiosity and natural development. Mulberry’s classes are led by certified, experienced teachers with four-year degrees who encourage children to make choices that lead to independence, a sense of responsibility, and self-confidence. Classes follow Illinois Core Standards as guidelines for curriculum development. At Mulberry School, we do indeed “nurture the innate love of learning” by continuing to teach children how, as opposed to what, to learn.
Mulberry School is a parent-cooperative academic institute; parents and teachers work in tandem to ensure the school’s successful operation. Each family is required to contribute 35 hours of service per family during the school year, which both enables the school to function and offers many opportunities to participate in and contribute to the learning environment for your child. At Mulberry School, your child’s education truly is a collaborative effort.