Kindle Farm School: Every Kid Deserves a Chance

Certain students aren't best-suited to the public school environment, which can make for some significant challenges. But as long as those same students maintain a straightforward social contract, Kindle Farm School will show them the world can be their oyster.Kindle Farm is a non-profit, independent state-approved school in Newfane, Vt., that provides an educational program for boys in grades 2 through 12 from Windham and southern Windsor counties in Vermont and Cheshire and Sullivan counties in New Hampshire (more than 12) with a variety of emotional, behavioral, neurological and learning needs. Kindle Farm provides a unique combination of academics, recreational activities, and vocational training to ensure a holistic approach.Most of the students at Kindle Farm receive special education services in accordance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans that are created in collaboration with their home school districts by which they are referred.The creation of the school, which opened its doors in 1996, was a response to the need for alternative educational approaches for boys and young men who do not succeed in the traditional public or private classroom structure. Founder Bob Bursky believed vision was for teachers and students to build relationships from shared experiences and mutual respect to facilitate academic achievement and social and emotional growth.The student-to-staff ratio today is 50 to 40."It's a high-interaction private school for public school families," said director Drew Gradinger.The school's unique curriculum is comprised of academics including STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art and Math) and Humanities (Language Arts and Social Studies) for upper-middle and high school students; art and music; life skills such as household management and personal finances; interpersonal skills; employment skills; certifications in such areas as wilderness first aid, hunter safety and drivers' education; and outdoor adventures including rock climbing, camping and primitive survival skills. There is also an organic farm on-campus for students in training around organic agricultural practices, forest management, carpentry and maple syrup production."We designed all our own curriculum," said Gradinger.While the school does offer a state-certified high school diploma, Gradinger said the goal is for each student to return to the public school system. On average, five students graduate from Kindle Farm each year, and five students transition back to public school.Emphasis is placed on honoring individual learning styles and meeting students where they are."The traditional academics end at noon and then there are kids going to the Boys and Girls Club or to go mini-golfing in Keene," said Gradinger. "Two kids are DJs at the radio station and another does therapeutic horseback riding. We try to honor what the kids are good at and what they are drawn to to engage them in the learning community with more gusto."There are 50 students enrolled at Kindle Farm School, and Gradinger said there is often a wait list. The pandemic led to increased need for their services, he added.In 2010, Kindle Farm partnered with Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southern Vermont (HCRS), of which it is a school program."It's been a dream," said Gradinger of the partnership. "We have a stronger clinical component. We have three clinicians tied into the agency in Windsor and Windham counties."As relationships between students and staff are crucial at Kindle Farm, the most significant piece woven through everything the school works for is building awareness of each person's role in the greater community.That means exposing students to ideas to expand their awareness of the world around them, challenging them to take risks and find their own voices in a democratic society and learn from their mistakes.Gradinger looks forward to the future at Kindle Farm School."Coming out of COVID we're able to focus on education," he said. During (the pandemic) we couldn't find staff. Now we have choice again and staffing is high; student morale is high. It took 25 years of experience and maturity, but now we're at the top of our game."