When Maryellen St. Cyr first dreamed of Ambleside School, what was it that she sought to bring to life? With 25 years of our life’s work behind us, I want to bring us back to the foundation of our movement.
Charlotte Mason’s principles reveal profound truths about the nature of the world, the person, and education itself. Embracing these counter-cultural implications unveils the beauty and necessity of an Ambleside education.
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.
The recognition of must is another human principle at work. Must in living means, I live under authority, I live in relationship, and I live responsibly.
In the home, parents are responsible for creating and maintaining a healthy atmosphere where children can experience love, joy, and peace.
Kaleb recounts how he and Sarah discovered Ambleside and fell in love with its transformative approach to education and life.
Like so many of Charles Dickens’ wonderful characters, Thomas Gradgrind is a caricature but a caricature with a point.
Parents today encounter a modern problem when looking for living books, but the solution, which Miss Mason identifies for us, is ages-old, just the same as it’s always been.
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.
