Approach to Education

The Pathfinder School is committed to educating the whole child, and recognizing that each student learns at their own pace, and in their own time.

Multiple Intelligences

In our classrooms, we emphasize deep understanding of varying concepts through experience-based learning, while employing the Multiple Intelligences pedagogy developed by Howard Gardner. There is a constant flow of new information on how the human brain operates, how it differs in function between genders, how emotions impact intellectual acuity, and also how genetics and environment, each impact our children’s cognitive abilities. While each area of study has its merits, Howard Gardner of Harvard University identified different kinds of intelligence we possess. This has particularly strong ramifications in the classroom, because by identifying children's different strengths among these intelligences, we are able to accommodate each child according to their perceived strengths and weaknesses.

At Pathfinder

Teaching with this understanding has been a primary focus at Pathfinder since the school's inception in 1972. Several of our faculty attended Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero where the Gardner pedagogy is taught. As a result, our veteran educators continue to develop a responsive and engaging curriculum based on the most current research in teaching and learning. By staying on the cutting edge of education, we develop higher achieving students who are inspired to become more active learners, as a result of their natural curiosity and joy in finding success.