Ambleside Schools International’s mission statement calls for the renewal of Christian education. This renewal goes beyond merely teaching a Christian worldview—it reorients the entire process of teaching and learning to be deeply rooted in this worldview.
Every subject, whether history, science, or language, is approached with curiosity and delight. Even the hardest lessons are infused with joy because the children see learning not as a chore but as a living, breathing pursuit.
We all have experiences that shape and form us. It could be the passing of a loved one, a serious illness, a book we read, a conversation with a mentor, or a teacher who profoundly impacted our life.
In a world where education often feels like a competition, the Ambleside Method offers a refreshing perspective: a school should be a sanctuary of belonging, joy, and disciplined harmony, where students learn not for rewards, but for the sheer delight of discovery and shared growth.
Our brains are made to run on joy. A joyful brain functions much better than the anxious, agitated, or depressed brain. Joy supports brain growth. Specifically, it contributes to the generation and reinforcement of new brain synapses.
Charlotte Mason identifies three primary human desires: the desire of knowledge, the desire of society (belonging), and the desire of esteem (to be held in high regard).
I think schools often focus on information as the outcome of what they’re trying to do. Test results. What makes a “living education” is that we focus on the work of formation. It’s not just passing the test. We’re trying to form the child for every aspect of their future life.
Charlotte Mason understood the potential of the littlest of us and then made it her duty to cultivate a way of education that respects our children as persons; worthy to be given the BEST ideas to nourish their minds upon.
Charlotte Mason talks about “seeing eyes” – truly looking and observing deeply the world and God’s creation in front of us.
One of the first things you notice in an Ambleside classroom is its distinctive timeline spanning the top of the room. Pictures, names, dates — all linked together by a seamless cord.
