Life at Ambleside
At Ambleside, we believe in nurturing young minds in a supportive and loving environment. Our commitment to academic excellence is matched by our dedication to community and character building. Join us as we create a vibrant space where families can connect and grow together.
Our Mission
While the primary commitment of Ambleside School is to students and their families, its mission extends beyond simply being a local school. Ambleside School trains and equips parents and teachers who seek to benefit from the insights of Charlotte Mason as they are given a living expression at Ambleside. To this end, Ambleside School of Boerne (ASB) partners with Ambleside Schools International (ASI).
In order to fulfill this mission, Ambleside consistently applies the pedagogical insights of the British educator, Charlotte Mason (1840-1923). Charlotte Mason did not claim to be an innovator, but rather a compiler of the timeless, practical insights into the nature of children and education that guide the practice of great teachers throughout the ages. Through the teacher training college she founded, the hundreds of schools which adopted her methods, and the voluminous publications of the Parents National Education Union, thousands of students were shaped by her ideas.
To better understand these ideas, which form Ambleside’s foundation, parents are strongly encouraged to watch the videos on our website or read For the Children’s Sake, by Susan Macaulay, When the Children Love to Learn, by Elaine Cooper or A Charlotte Mason Companion, by Karen Andreola. All are available for purchase from Amazon.com. Parents are also invited to participate in the Charlotte Mason study groups periodically offered by the school.
Charlotte Mason's Distinct Approach
Charlotte Mason, whose principles guide Ambleside Schools, offers an entirely different perspective to behaviorist and constructivist principals, which guide many Christian educators today. Her philosophy is grounded in the conviction that all that is True, Good, and Beautiful reflects the Eternal Logos—Christ Himself. Therefore, all knowledge is, in essence, knowledge of God.
In an Ambleside classroom:
- The Holy Spirit is the preeminent teacher, guiding both students and educators.
- Every subject—whether grammar, history, poetry, science, or art—is an opportunity to encounter the Creator through well-chosen texts, ideas, and experiences.
- The role of the teacher shifts from being a lecturer to a facilitator, enabling students to engage in a “mind-to-mind” meeting with ideas.
This approach rejects the notion of students as blank slates or as inherently self-sufficient. Instead, it acknowledges the active role of the student in the learning process. Each student must independently perform the act of knowing, encountering ideas directly through primary texts, art, music, and more.
"The question is not, how much does the youth know when he has finished his education, but how much does he care? And about how many orders of things does he care?"
— Charlotte Mason
Get to Know Ambleside
Choosing a school starts with knowing what matters most to your family. During your Educational Consultation, we’ll talk about what you’re looking for in a school and answer your questions. Then, we’ll take you on a tour so you can get to know our campus.
