The Manhattan School for Children is modeled on the philosopher John Dewey's concept of a community of learners. Our fundamental premise is that children learn by doing.
Some children best absorb information when they read it.
Others need to see or hear what they are studying. Our school provides time for exploration and experimentation and invites children to become involved in their own education. As a community, the school values process over product and nurtures creativity and critical thinking skills in ways that encourage children to become life-long learners. Rather than being teacher centered, this kind of school provides a democratic atmosphere that stresses learning as an interactive process. We believe that our school community is connected to the larger community of the school's neighborhood, and we seek to use the wealth of options in our immediate neighborhood to supplement our academic program.