Clonlara School Campus Program

Specialties

Clonlara School’s two educational programs provide services that recognize each learner’s curiosity, strengths, interests and talents as the foundation of his or her educational experience. We have both a Home Based Education Program and a Campus Program located in Ann Arbor, MI. Both programs serve K-​12 students.

Clonlara Campus School is a small, progressive, K-​12 day school offering alternative education. We focus on each student’s curiosities, strengths, interests and talents when we design their educational plan. We have three programs: youngers (K-​5^th grade), middles (6^th-​8^th) and olders (9^th-​12^th). All programs focus on experiential, hands-​on, project based learning.

In addition to the day school, we also have a home school advising service which supports students/​families around the world who have chosen to get their education outside of a classroom/​desk. Our home school program is accredited by Advanced Ed.

History

Established in 1967.

Pat and Jim Montgomery founded the school in 1967 as an alternative to existing schools. They envisioned a place where children might learn and grow unhurried in a relaxed atmosphere. Students would be taught the ways to handle problems and resolve conflicts which inevitably arise in the workings of the group. Children are free to make mistakes, to learn by their mistakes, and to grow in the process. Pat and Jim wanted Clonlara to be a place where students would be respected as thinking, feeling human beings and treated as such.

In 1979, Clonlara School added a Home Based Education Program which was established to serve students all over the world and support families in their choice to education their children outside of a classroom or desk.

Today, the campus enrollment is approximately 45 and the home based education program serves over 600 families that reside all over the United States and in 25 foreign countries.

Meet the Business Owner

Chandra M.

Business Owner

Chandra Montgomery Nicol is the executive director and the first student of the school. She continues to lead the staff and students in her parents mission and philosphy.