Here at The Village Green, we provide wall-to-wall coverage of the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which educates more than 6,600 children in the towns from kindergarten through 12th grade.
However, some local parents do choose other options for their children’s education.
Village Green is profiling those options. Last week, we featured Montclair-Kimberley Academy. This week, the focus is on Far Brook School in Short Hills.
Village Green will also be profiling individual schools in the South Orange-Maplewood School District.
Far Brook School
52 Great Hills Road
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973-379-3442
https://www.farbrook.org
Head of School: Amy Ziebarth
Motto: “They shout for joy, they also sing.”
Founded in 1948, Far Brook School is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian day elementary and middle school for Grades Nursery through Grade Eight. Far Brook students live in 34 communities in Essex, Hudson, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties. The student body totals 235 students.
“Our innovative approach to learning through the arts provides children a classical liberal arts education at an elementary and middle school level. A Far Brook education stimulates curiosity and creative thinking,” wrote Far Brook School Director of Communications and Volunteers Jennifer Barba.
The student-faculty ratio is 6 to 1.
At Far Brook, the year is anchored by longstanding, student-centered events called “Traditions.” These include a daily Morning Meeting and annual events such as Thanksgiving Processional. All students participate in sports and all students in grades five through eight represent the school on inter-scholastic teams.
Students undertake a themed study in nursery through grade three. Fourth through eighth graders study historic civilizations, which become the touchstone of their academics.
Additionally, students in grade eight present a Shakespeare play for their graduation — either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Tempest.
Far Brook offers after-school enrichment and after-school care until 6 p.m. daily. The school offers assistance in high school placement for graduating eighth graders.
Financial aid is available. In the 2012-2013 school year, more than $700,000 was awarded to 17% of students. Awards were granted in every grade level.
Tuition and fees for 2014-15:
PreK-Half Day — $16,900 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $17,250
PreK-Full Day — $23,500 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $23,850
Kindergarten — $28,650 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $29,000
First Grade — $29,900 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $30,250
Second Grade — $29,900 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $30,250
Third Grade — $29,900 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $30,250
Fourth Grade — $31,275 tuition plus $350 activity fees = $31,625
Fifth Grade — $31,275 tuition plus $600 = $31,875
Sixth Grade — $31,275 tuition plus $600 = $31,875
Seventh Grade — $33,200 tuition plus $1,700 = $34,900
Eighth Grade — $33,200 tuition plus $1,700 = $34,900
