Chelsea Day School
In 1980, The Fifteenth Street School, a Summerhill elementary school located in Chelsea, was struggling to stay afloat. It was experiencing a drop in enrollment as the prevailing point of view in education was that testing and traditional practice was the means to a good education. The Fifteenth Street School was a free school where creativity and process, individuality within a community, and self-regulation were guiding principles.
Jean Rosenberg was a teacher/ administrator when the Board of Trustees of the Fifteenth Street School voted to close the school. They endowed a new program, under her direction and on a September morning in 1981, Chelsea Day School opened its doors for the first time. Founder and current director Jean Rosenberg greeted twenty-three two and three-year olds and their parents at the door.
Our school, from that first day until today, remains a place where children can grow in a natural way. British educator A.S. Neill’s concepts of freedom, not license and self-regulation inspire our practice. We strive to foster independence, decision-making and self-confidence through a curriculum that is child-centered and child-initiated. Our focus is on each child’s individual style, needs and development. By balancing teacher-directed and child-selected activities, we are able to stimulate each child’s natural curiosity and encourage the growth of the whole child.
Chelsea Day School has grown from one class to 8 classrooms in four consecutive locations over its 38 years. Our dedicated staff of 27 teachers is committed to the founding principles in their daily practice. Over the years, the voices from the Reggio Emilia Schools in Italy have resonated with us and enhanced these progressive principles.
Professional affiliations within the educational community at large have grown. They support our growth and collaboration with colleagues. Chelsea Day School is a member of NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools), ISAAGNY (The Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York), Early Steps and the Parents League of New York.
