The Reggio, Italy-style of teaching inspires TriBeCa Community School, which has expanded to Ridgefield. Photo courtesy of TriBeCa Community School
RIDGEFIELD – After more than two decades of serving families in New York City, TriBeCa Community School has opened its first Connecticut campus at 66 Grove St., bringing its award-winning, Reggio, Italy-inspired approach to early childhood education to Fairfield County.
Founded in 2006 in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, the school has earned a reputation for creating thoughtful learning environments where children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate ideas, express themselves creatively, and develop the habits of thinking that support lifelong learning. The new Ridgefield campus serves children from ages 6 weeks through 6 years, offering full-day, year-round programs with flexible scheduling options.
For co-owner Doug Schachtel, the opening is also a personal homecoming.
“I grew up in Ridgefield, so bringing Tribeca Community School to my hometown is deeply meaningful to me,” Schachtel said. “Over the past 20 years, we’ve built a school in New York that families trust because it treats childhood with the seriousness and respect it deserves. We’re excited to bring that same philosophy to a community that values education, the arts, and strong family connections.”
Inspired by the educational philosophy that emerged in Reggio Emilia, Italy, TCS believes children are naturally curious, capable learners whose ideas deserve to be explored. Teachers observe closely, ask thoughtful questions, and design learning experiences that encourage children to think deeply, collaborate with others, solve problems, and make meaning through exploration.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum, learning emerges from children’s interests and investigations, creating classrooms where curiosity drives discovery and every child’s thinking is valued.
TCS has seen its graduates thrive as they move on to elementary school, demonstrating the curiosity, independence, resilience, and love of learning that set the foundation for long-term success.
The new Ridgefield campus has been purposefully designed to support this approach, featuring light-filled classrooms, carefully curated learning materials, dedicated art and atelier spaces, and expansive indoor and outdoor environments that encourage movement, collaboration, and creative exploration.
“The relationships children build with their teachers, classmates, materials, and environment become the foundation for everything that follows,” said Melissa Barissi, program director of TCS Ridgefield. “Our goal is for every child to feel seen, heard, respected, and capable. When children know their ideas matter, they develop the confidence to ask questions, solve problems, and discover who they are as learners.”
Throughout its history, Tribeca Community School has welcomed educators from around the world to observe its classrooms and has contributed to professional conversations around inquiry-based learning, documentation, and the Reggio Emilia approach.
Families can choose from a variety of scheduling options, including half-day and full-day programs, with extended care available to support modern family schedules.