The Miquon School

About

Miquon is an independent, co-educational school with a 90+ year commitment to Progressive education. We enroll approximately 150 students, ages 3 through 12, in mixed-age groups of 18-22 children. Each group, including nursery, has two co-teachers who are dedicated to innovative, student-centered teaching practices and all participate in Spanish, science, music, art, library, and physical education classes. Time spent outdoors on our 10+ acre wooded campus is an integral part of every child’s Miquon experience.

A strong sense of community is deeply important at Miquon. Children are paired-up between grades to help build community and mentoring across the age groups. We value racial, ethnic, economic, religious, gender, and social diversity and work hard to ensure that every child feels known for their authentic self.

Awards or Certifications:

Accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools. Member of the Progressive Education Network, the Greater Philadelphia Diversity Collaborative, and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools.

What is your teaching or educational philosophy?

Miquon offers a Progressive educational program that intentionally provides children with a balance of structure and flexibility. Structure is provided through clearly articulated goals, age-appropriate expectations, adherence to national education standards, and close observation of individual needs. Flexibility is necessary for children to develop independence, self-motivation, and a passion for learning, and is provided by giving children the space to experiment, make choices, and take risks.

We value independent thinking, varied individual and collaborative approaches to learning, proven assessment methods, and creative, child-focused approaches to curriculum development. Teachers are the heart of Miquon and why many of our graduates say they felt truly known as a learner and individual while a student here. Play is central to our teaching philosophy because of its strong correlation with physical, emotional, and social well-being. Children are guided as much by one another as by the thoughtful, reflective, intellectual team of staff who intentionally shape their days.

We have defined and prioritized ten Progressive philosophies that hold meaning for us, and we frequently use them to reflect upon our professional practice, goals for students, and hopes for the future:

1. Children learn by doing.
2. Helping children learn to think is as important as teaching any specific subject matter.
3. Learning occurs in ways unique to each child.
4. Children’s curiosity and initiative are integral to their education.
5. Independence is a vital part of every child’s development.
6. Working with others enhances children’s growth in every domain.
7. Every person is a thinker, creator, and contributor.
8. The natural world is a place to learn.
9. Childhood should be fun, and children should find joy in learning.
10. Children can be upstanders and agents of change.

What is your mission statement?

The Miquon School treasures and celebrates childhood. We give our students time to play and grow. Our program and our environment encourage wonder, inquiry, independence, and discovery. We seek to create confident, life-long learners who will move out into the wider world with strong academic and social skills, intense personal interests, a love for the arts, and a commitment to building inclusive and peaceful communities. We are dedicated to learning together in the rich tradition of Progressive education that is our founders’ legacy.

Enrollment

155