EASTHAMPTON — Founded on the principles of an Italian preschool model, Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School was among the first charter schools in the state when it opened in 1995 in Williamsburg.
The school has since moved away from the Reggio Emilia approach, though community engagement, parent involvement and artistic modes of learning are values that continue to run through the veins of the school, now located in Easthampton.
Those values might be best illustrated at Hilltown’s weekly “all school,” an assembly of its 218 kindergarten- through-eighth-grade students, who join in song and take turns speaking publicly.
“We think it’s a really important skill for kids to have,” administrative coordinator Amy Aaron said. “It’s a big deal to get up and address your whole school.”
Additionally, parents are welcome to stop by and see what their child is up to at any time during the school day.
“The doors are literally not open anymore,” said Daniel Klatz, the school’s educational coordinator. But “a parent is welcome to show up any time.”
Parents often help teachers, who might put out a call for assistance. And parental efforts are coordinated by one of three top leadership positions at Hilltown. Deirdre Arthen is the community coordinator, Klatz is in charge of education, and Aaron heads administrative functions.
The school is governed by a board of trustees, primarily parents, who are elected by the school community.
Classrooms look quite different from traditional public schools. Each classroom consists of two grades (except sixth grade), so students have the same teacher for two years. Math is separate, while older children are partnered with younger ones for reading activities.
There’s no cafeteria, so students eat lunch in the classrooms, which are mixed up in kindergarten through sixth grade.
“We think if you have those experiences and feel connected to the community, that makes you feel more known and present and helps with individual achievement,” Klatz said.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com