Build a Common Understanding
A progressive school in Amherst, MA • Nursery through 6th Grade
At The Common School, we empower children ages 3 to 12 to become critical thinkers and joyful learners. Set on 140 acres of conservation land in Amherst Massachusetts, our progressive, Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum turns the outdoors into a classroom and big questions into lifelong discoveries.
At the heart of our learning is a deep dive into the many ways we connect as humans. In this supportive circle, we encourage you to try the unfamiliar and trust in the power of your own perspective.
The Common School by the Numbers
Enrollment: Average 100–112
Communities Served: 20 towns, 3 counties
Students of Color: represent about 46% of the student body
Tuition Assistance: 60% of students receive awards of 40–60%
Choose Your Path
Play & Wonder
Nursery
Ages 3-5
Community & Literacy
Primary
Ages 6-8
Depth & Leadership
Elementary
Ages 9-12
Discover Common Ground
At The Common School, we treat nature as an essential classroom, recognizing that research-backed "green time" is fundamental to reducing student stress and enhancing cognitive focus. Our unique partnership with Western MA’s very own Bramble Hill Farm provides a 140-acre laboratory where academic rigor meets emotional wellbeing, allowing students to ground their learning in the physical world. From the sensory discovery of the Nursery Tea Garden to the scientific inquiry of the E1 Pond Study and E2 River Study, our place-based curriculum fosters a deep sense of stewardship and mental clarity. By stepping outside, our students don’t just observe the environment—they build the resilience and curiosity necessary to thrive within it. Take a tour today to see if our independent school is right for you!
The Admissions Roadmap
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Inquire
Chat with us to see if it’s a good fit
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Visit
Discover what the The Common School has to offer
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Apply
Learn about our application requirements and deadlines
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Afford
Learn about our tuition assistance
Question Common Knowledge
Our progressive curriculum and In-Depth-Studies challenge students to explore big questions using an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach. Inside and outside the classroom, students use their reading, math, science, and social studies skills to engage deeply with these questions over weeks and months. Learning is joyful because it is driven by a sense of purpose and a delight in discovery, and it opens up new ways of understanding the world.
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