Who We Are
The New River Gorge Learning Cooperative (NRGLC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 holistic community school registered with the WV State Department of Education that aims to give each child the opportunity to rise to his or her own level of excellence. NRGLC offers a nature-based, student-driven, academically rigorous program with an equal emphasis on critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Our carefully prepared environment, with specially trained teachers using Montessori principles and other innovative and complementary educational practices, empowers independent thinkers, creators, entrepreneurs and learners for life.
NRGLC’s current programs consist of a Primary program (Children’s House), open to ages 3-6, which is a state-approved Kindergarten program; a combined elementary program (the Beehive): lower elementary, ages 6-9 and upper elementary program for ages 9-12; a middle school program (the Chrysalis) for ages 12-14; and an after school care program open to all students. Our specially-trained teachers use Montessori principles, along with other innovative and complementary educational practices that empower independent thinkers, creators, entrepreneurs, and learners for life.
We value and strive for diversity of all types in our school. In an effort to ensure more families have access to our unique model, we use a sliding scale tuition rate and have a Tuition Assistance Program for low-income students, which covers up to 75% of the annual tuition for families who demonstrate significant and real financial. The New River Gorge Learning Cooperative does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion in its educational, admissions, and hiring policies and practices.
If one word could sum the approach of NRGLC, it would be respect. Respect for the mind of the child, combined with teachers trained to connect with students on an emotional level, to cultivate mutual respect between teacher and student, and to employ both kindness and firmness at the same time. NRGLC produces children who are confident, curious, capable of peacefully resolving conflict —and most likely to succeed.
To uphold this approach, we practice Positive Discipline as the foundation for behavior management. This means we are non-punitive and have zero tolerance for shame, blame, pain, or humiliation. We also base all of our programs on the principles of Montessori education.
NRGLC emphasizes critical thinking and emotional intelligence through nature-based, student driven and academically rigorous programs. We provide each child the opportunity to rise to his or her own level of excellence. We create an encouraging and positive environment where children can learn the skills they need to become responsible, independent, productive and caring citizens of the world.
NRGLC’s current programs consist of a Primary program (Children’s House), open to ages 3-6, which is a state-approved Kindergarten program; a combined elementary program (the Beehive): lower elementary, ages 6-9 and upper elementary program for ages 9-12; a middle school program (the Chrysalis) for ages 12-14; and an after school care program open to all students. Our specially-trained teachers use Montessori principles, along with other innovative and complementary educational practices that empower independent thinkers, creators, entrepreneurs, and learners for life.
We value and strive for diversity of all types in our school. In an effort to ensure more families have access to our unique model, we use a sliding scale tuition rate and have a Tuition Assistance Program for low-income students, which covers up to 75% of the annual tuition for families who demonstrate significant and real financial. The New River Gorge Learning Cooperative does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion in its educational, admissions, and hiring policies and practices.
If one word could sum the approach of NRGLC, it would be respect. Respect for the mind of the child, combined with teachers trained to connect with students on an emotional level, to cultivate mutual respect between teacher and student, and to employ both kindness and firmness at the same time. NRGLC produces children who are confident, curious, capable of peacefully resolving conflict —and most likely to succeed.
To uphold this approach, we practice Positive Discipline as the foundation for behavior management. This means we are non-punitive and have zero tolerance for shame, blame, pain, or humiliation. We also base all of our programs on the principles of Montessori education.
NRGLC emphasizes critical thinking and emotional intelligence through nature-based, student driven and academically rigorous programs. We provide each child the opportunity to rise to his or her own level of excellence. We create an encouraging and positive environment where children can learn the skills they need to become responsible, independent, productive and caring citizens of the world.
Our Mission |
The 6 Pillars of NRGLC |
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New River Gorge Learning Cooperative (NRGLC) is a Montessori-inspired private school whose mission is to educate the minds, hearts and bodies of our students in a challenging, vibrant experiential learning community.
By working together with our members we will create an encouraging and positive environment where children can learn the skills they need to become responsible, independent, productive and caring citizens in our world. |
1. Social Justice
Our vision of social justice is one which begins with the self: loving yourself, treating yourself well, learning to stand up for your fair share- and spirals upward, developing into a sense of compassion for all living beings and a belief that all lives have value as a part of an interconnected system. 2. mindfulness
Our students will develop mindfulness practices to support their emotional, physical, and educational needs during a life period of great internal change. Our practice of mindfulness- of being aware of our emotions, of our surroundings, and the living beings in the world around us- will be integrated into daily lessons in a way that holistically develops well-rounded thinkers and workers. 3. nature based learning
4. community service
All of our students participate in at least 1 community service project each month. 5. montessori principles
6. positive discipline
We are a Positive Discipline school, meaning we are non-punitive and have zero tolerance for shame, blame, pain, or humiliation. We combine respect for the mind of the child with teachers trained to connect with students on an emotional level, to cultivate mutual respect between teacher and student, and to employ both kindness and firmness at the same time. NRGLC produces children who are confident, curious, capable of peacefully resolving conflict—and most likely to succeed. |
Our VISION for Our Graduates includes embodying the following characteristics:
- Critical Thinker
- Empathetic Peer
- Life Learner
- Brave Creator
- Embracer of Change
- Socially Aware & Socially Active
Our VISION for EDUCATION includes a focus on:
- Equal emphasis on academic and emotional intelligence
- Mastery-based, hands-on experiential and project-based learning
- Outdoor and environmental education
- Physical fitness
- Community engagement and service
- Arts, music and languages
- Child-centric support for a natural desire to learn
- Room to pursue individual interests
- Small student-to-teacher ratio in mixed-ages programs
