Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm

“It is absolutely essential that before we think, before we so much as begin to set our thinking in motion, we experience the condition of wonder.”  — Rudolf Steiner

Lakeside School is located in the heart of the Champlain Valley in northern New York. The surrounding Adirondack mountains, rivers and fertile farm land of the Boquet River valley provide a spectacular and enriching foundation for our holistic approach to education.

A place based Elementary School where academics are integrated into Farm work and the surrounding forest lands. Each lesson, be it Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies or Science is woven with artistic activities and movement giving time for individual and collaborative learning. Students create their own text books from the lessons the teacher presents as a record of their learning. Beyond the academics, Elementary students have lessons in farming & animal husbandry, French language, music both instrumental and singing, knitting and crocheting, movement (gym), painting, drawing, cooking, poetry recitation, and drama.

In the Early Childhood programs (Sprouts & Kindergarten) a daily rhythm of creative play, caring for the land and farm animals, household chores, nature exploration, story telling, music, and arts and crafts, helps children develop their natural ability to imitate and their power of imagination in a warm, beautiful and loving home-like environment.

Lakeside School runs from early September to mid-June and is a developing member of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. It is located on the corners of Cook and Leaning Road in Essex, NY at Black Kettle Farm.

Our Mountain Tots Program for ages birth to three gathers once a week on Friday mornings. Our Sprouts Program for ages one and two year olds is offered five days a week from 8:30am – 5:00pm, while our Mixed-Age Kindergarten Program for ages three to six year olds also runs Monday through Friday.  Our Multi-Age Elementary Classroom meets daily from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm and includes a First Grade and Second Grade curriculum for ages six through eight.  Both our Kindergarten & Elementary Programs have options for extended after-care until 5:00pm.

Lakeside invites you to explore our school and our community through this website.

Welcome to Lakeside School!