Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences

Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences is a charter public school serving students from PreK through grade 8, drawing families from approximately 28 towns. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Fiddlehead is committed to educating the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically, academically, and artistically — and grounds its work in five core values: honesty, empathy, adventure, relationships, and diversity. The program grows with students, moving from an emergent, play-based curriculum in the early grades to inquiry-based learning in the elementary years and project-based studies in grades 6–8, culminating in an 8th-grade Capstone. Learning extends well beyond the classroom through place-based education, climate studies, and a social-justice lens, with hands-on outdoor experiences and partnerships with local farms, conservation groups, and community organizations. Rather than relying on traditional grades, Fiddlehead uses a portfolio-based assessment system that makes each student's growth visible to families, complemented by standardized measures and tiered academic and behavioral supports. Backed by an engaged Board of Directors and a strong, family-centered community, Fiddlehead offers a distinctive, nature-rich, arts-infused education.