Edgecomb Eddy School, in small town Edgecomb, Maine, is a healthy, thriving learning environment. For many years our students were educated in what was the oldest school in the state, but based on need, and thanks to local and state support, we are now housed in a beautiful 7-year-old building. Our new facility was designed to maintain the friendly, inviting environment offered in our former facility. It is not uncommon for visitors to mention how they love coming to our school, and feel welcome as soon as they enter the building. We think our students feel the same way.

Our long-standing theme of Respect, Responsibility and Reflection is evident in everything we do. Students begin learning about this important theme in kindergarten. Adults are expected to model the 3R theme in their interactions with all children. Our school song-written by our students, in collaboration with a well-known singer and songwriter-incorporates this theme.

Students in our kindergarten – sixth grade school are fortunate to be able to incorporate the great outdoors into their schooling. It is not uncommon for a class of budding scientists to be seen hiking a trail behind the school to access the shore. Or for recreational purposes, our students enjoy many hours building forts on the wood’s edge, and sledding, snowboarding or snowshoeing around our playground in the winter. It’s not unusual to find teachers, ed techs, the school secretary or the principal, participating in these healthy activities with the children.

We offer a rigorous curriculum for all students, taught by  knowledgeable, veteran staff members. We pride ourselves on the fact that all staff members get to know all children in the school, not just the ones s/he teaches. We work hard to be able to offer supports to our students, as needed, whether that be in-class support or pull-out services for 1:1 or small-group instruction. Our Title I, special education, and kindergarten-third grade teachers, as well as ed techs, work collaboratively to offer a daily literacy block for all students. These educators meet regularly to assess the program and make changes, as necessary. This literacy block, now in its second year, has proven to be very successful, and a wonderful way to best meet the needs of the learners.

Our fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers work collaboratively in a team-teaching capacity. This type of instruction has proven to be very beneficial to our students, and is a model of instruction for others. It affords each teacher the ability to concentrate on his/her area of expertise, as well as allowing them to get to know the children better, and over a longer period of time. Students in the upper grades also work on cross-grade-level partnerships with our kindergarten and first grade students, helping the younger children to progress as readers.

We have a dedicated Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) that offers wonderful support to our students and staff. This group donates free books to all our students three times a year; therefore, supporting our literacy program. The PTC sponsors book fairs, spaghetti suppers, family fun nights, artist-in-residencies, to name a few of the many benefits it offers our school. We also have a core group of reading volunteers who come to school regularly to either read to students, or to be listeners to the readers. It’s wonderful to walk through the halls and see adults of all ages enjoying a book with a youngster! This is a great win-win situation for all, and another reason why Edgecomb Eddy School is such a wonderful institution of learning!

At Edgecomb Eddy the school day doesn’t end when the bell rings at 2:45…many students are seen participating in after-school programs, offered by volunteers, whether they be staff members or community members who want to share their expertise. A sampling of the various offerings over the years are as follows:

·      Odyssey of the Mind

·      Garden Club

·      Writers’ Club

·      Knitting Club

·      Drama Club

·      History Club

·      World Cultures Club

·      Jump Rope Club

·      Debate Club

There are numerous reasons why Edgecomb Eddy School is such a wonderful place of learning; walk through the front doors and you will see for yourself.