“Our task here – whether children arrived at PreK or have just joined us this year – is to help them to acquire the dispositions and habits of mind that will, YES, get them into the high school of their choice, and that will, YES, get them into the right fit for college but more importantly that will lead to their eventually being adults who are personally happy, professionally satisfied, and ethical.”

—Sharon Lauer, Head of School

Why Unquowa?

Inspired expertise

Since our founding in 1917, we have been inspired by the joy, wonder, and discovery that make indelible impressions on children specifically during the PK-8 years. Our mission of cultivating confident, well-rounded, lifelong learners unafraid to reach for their personal best has also inspired us to expertly design a learning environment to capture the amazing opportunities for life-shaping growth that happens during this crucial time.

 We see every moment whether inside or outside the classroom as a valuable chance for students to experiment, create, learn about their world, and begin to identify their own emerging talents and strengths. We bring academics vividly to life at all levels by interconnecting subjects, embracing ideas, igniting critical thought, and building the meaningful relationships between teachers and learners that deepen every experience.

By concentrating on providing the ideal conditions, curriculum, environment, and energy needed at each level, we’re proud to offer an extraordinary education that is truly specialized for your child’s most special time.

Flexible excellence

We believe each child has their own unique potential for individual excellence. We work to identify and nurture the strengths, skills, and passion students bring to school with them naturally by shaping academics responsively. Our innovative approach to flexibility and individualized focus builds personal connection between students and their experiences—they genuinely love what they’re learning, because it is based on more than just what they can achieve, but who they are, and who they can become.

Engagement everywhere

The Unquowa culture is all about immersive, experiential, enthusiastic learning that isn’t just enriching, but also fun. Each moment and every interaction are chances to find out more, try something new, build, create, connect, or laugh together. All day, in classrooms or in any of our other dynamic spaces, every corner of the campus buzzes with energy. Meaning the concept of learning isn’t limited to academics: learning is part of the very atmosphere and ecosystem of our campus and community.

Real relationships

Whether among peers and friends, between mentors and mentees, or between teachers and students, strong relationships enhance experiences and give them deeper meaning. By sharing each moment presenting, performing, practicing, or simply playing, our students get the most out of each moment. With the support of each other and through our child-centered philosophy of wellbeing, students learn to embrace challenges, take chances, and become unafraid to be extraordinary.

The Future is in Our Care

Our school’s motto – The Future is in Our Care – guides our goal to take our students to the next step in the journey to becoming adults who are personally happy, professionally satisfied and ethical in both arenas. Our high school placement conversations with families begin at the end of seventh grade, and our High School Placement Coordinator and Head of School work closely with families throughout the eighth grade year to insure a smooth high school application process and an outcome that provides our graduates with the best fit for the next stage of their education.

“The Mission of The Unquowa School is to develop, educate and prepare our family of children with an unafraid spirit to achieve their personal best in a changing world.”