After 46 years serving the town’s young children and families, I regret to announce that the Barn School will not open in the fall. After multiple years of struggling with low enrollment, we no longer have the student base needed to run our programs. June 18, 2015, will be the Barn School’s last day providing preschool and extended care to children in Harvard.
Over the last few years, the Barn School has become dependent on student tuition to pay for our operating expenses. Although we have held multiple fundraisers, we have been unable to raise enough money to allow for the financial flexibility we need to open the school with continuing low enrollment.
This decision is not one we have made lightly. The board of directors and I recognize the place the school holds in Harvard’s history. Originally started by Katherine Hildreth in her home, the Barn School was first operated in the estate’s barn, where it earned the name Barn School, and later moved to the carriage house where it is still housed today. The Barn School has operated continuously over the last four and a half decades, and during that time we have held close to Hildreth’s own values of education and exploration through play. We pride ourselves on the nurturing, homey feel of our school, a loving and safe environment that encourages our students to use their minds and imaginations to discover and grow. We are sad to see it close.
The decision to close does not affect any of our programs for the 2014–2015 school year. We will be holding a yard sale on Saturday, May 30, to help the school prepare for our transition. If, like many families in Harvard, you have a history with the school and would like to say goodbye, please feel free to stop by.
On behalf of Barn School board of directors (President Kara Kendrick, Vice President Teresa Jardon, Treasurer Amy Stoller, and Secretary Lucinda Bowen) and the dedicated teachers at the Barn School, it has been a privilege to care for and educate your children.
Heather Warren, director
Sutton, Massachuests
