Why the Hawthorn School?
Education is the process that prepares individuals to flourish as human beings from an intellectual, physical, moral and spiritual point of view.
Offering a premier education in the liberal arts for boys and girls grades K-8
in Bedford, New York.
Why the Hawthorn School?
Education in classic works
After students learn to read, they begin reading to learn. The books they read influence the kind of persons they will become, and the breadth of knowledge they will acquire. Our students read books whose worth is affirmed by the passage of time and the enduring appreciation of generations of readers: books that are classics by reason of their literary quality and thematic significance.
Excellence
At Hawthorn, we ask our students to reach for academic and personal excellence. In practice this means making an effort to do one’s best even when conditions are difficult. Our students learn this habit of studious diligence when presented with challenging subject matter and given encouragement to approach success through small but repeated efforts. This produces an eagerness to rise to challenges that is born of experience.
Education in freedom
The task of raising children comes down to getting them to want to do what is good, providing them with the intellectual and moral resources so that each one may be able to do what is good from his or her own conviction. Children also need to be given a prudent degree of autonomy to develop their own freedom responsibly. This may mean climbing a bit too high up on our trees and picking up some bruises on the playground, but under the direction of wise teachers it leads to the formation of good judgement in all areas of life.
Partnership with families
Parents are the primary educators of their children. Schools such as Hawthorn exist to partner with parents who share the school’s educational ideals and wish to cooperate with us in the integral formation of the persons entrusted to their care.
Moral and spiritual development
Our school values the innate dignity of each person as a son or daughter of God. Created in God’s image, the human person freely seeks to know the truth, love the good and appreciate the beautiful. All the school’s values are ultimately traceable to this foundational reality.
For Catholic students, the school offers classes in religion as well as regular opportunities for reception of the sacraments. Non-Catholics are welcome to participate as appropriate, if they so desire. The moral development of each student means gradually acquiring good habits (virtues) with the encouragement and good example of their teachers.
Mentoring
Each student is paired with a teacher who serves as a mentor. The mentor meets monthly with the student to listen and provide advice and encouragement. The work of full growth to maturity takes time and the mentor’s role is to help the student on the journey.
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We are pleased you are considering Hawthorn for your child's education. Our school offers the opportunity for families to partner with us in the integral formation of their sons and daughters. We provide dedicated teachers who impart rigorous academic instruction, mentor students in character formation, and strive to be good examples for the young people entrusted to their care. We aspire to create a community of families who will work together with the school in preparing their children for a life of fully human flourishing.
Our mentoring program is distinctive in that it pairs each student with a teacher who meets regularly with the student to encourage and support growth in character. Our liberal arts focus emphasizes a classic academic curriculum anchored in the great heritage of Western Civilization. We embrace all that contributes to authentic human flourishing and encourage our students to delight in the good, the true, and the beautiful. Our school recognizes the distinctive and complementary nature of boys and girls and affirms this through classes tailored to their developmental needs. For Catholic students, we offer religion classes and opportunities for regular reception of the sacraments.
We welcome your interest in our school and would be happy to schedule a tour for you or a day for your child to spend at the school. These are some of the best ways to fully experience all that Hawthorn has to offer. We look forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Dr. Joseph R. McCleary
Hear from some of our families:
“The Hawthorn school has gone beyond our expectations in providing an excellent, inspired & richly formative school environment.
Our children are loving their experience here & we are acutely aware of just how much they are learning each day, and being gently challenged, but they don’t feel pressure or stress, just enjoyment of the process. We also love the integration of subjects & the emphasis on nature study, art & literature, along with strong foundations in maths & sciences.
The teachers & staff are unparalleled, the peers are wonderful, and we have truly found the experience of the Hawthorn community to be unique & impactful for all of us.”
— Maddy and Joel Pidel, Hawthorn Family
“We love the Hawthorn School for its commitment to classical liberal arts education — one which values both challenging academics and character development. Our children are thriving in this environment where honorable expectation meets daily inspiration.”
— Allison Lee Pillinger Choi, Hawthorn mother
We are so incredibly happy to be part of the Hawthorn school.
From an academic standpoint it is unparalleled, appropriately challenging students and maximizing their potential. But the school goes far beyond academics, including by partnering with parents to help foster in our children a sense of responsibility, self-ownership and respect that ultimately sets them up for success by being the best person they can be. As our son said, “Hawthorn is a 10 out of 5!! They adapt to my learning and challenge me in a good way that helps me achieve more than I ever thought I could. I would recommend Hawthorn to anyone who wants to learn and have fun.”
—The Croke Family
Tour inquiry
If you are interested in having an in person tour, please complete this form and we will reach out to schedule a time that works for you.
Welcome to the Hawthorn School Podcast
Listen now on Spotify The Coffee with the President or The Hawthorn Guests episode
Join us on the third Thursday of each month in the Hawthorn School living room after drop-off for coffee and light refreshments. Our President, Dr. McCleary, sits down with parents to discuss what is happening at the school. While the discussion is often mission specific, questions from parents are always welcome and make for wonderful conversation.
The Hawthorn School - Bedford, New York
“The Hawthorn School is a unique opportunity for your children to grow into the fullness of their humanity.”
—Dr. Joseph R. McCleary