{"id":343391,"date":"2026-09-11T00:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T00:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/343391\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T00:30:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T00:30:48","slug":"new-school-that-fosters-creative-thinking-to-open-in-connecticut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/343391\/","title":{"rendered":"New school that fosters creative thinking to open in Connecticut"},"content":{"rendered":"

A school that runs contrary to the traditional one-size-fits all classroom model is opening its first school<\/a> in Connecticut.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a place where learning emerges from children\u2019s interests and investigations, creating classrooms where \u201ccuriosity drives discovery and every child\u2019s thinking is valued,\u201d according to the school\u2019s co-owner.<\/p>\n

Tribeca Community School, for about 20 years operating only in Manhattan, is expanding to open a school in Ridgefield<\/a> at 66 Grove St. School opens Sept. 21<\/a> and the ages are six weeks to six years old, with expanded hours for working parents.<\/p>\n

The award-winning, Reggio-inspired approach to early childhood education is one that owners Doug Schachtel and his business partner, Babur Habib, deeply believe in, they said.<\/p>\n

\"TribecaTribeca Community School in NYC. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n

For Schachtel it\u2019s all the sweeter that the new school is located in Ridgefield.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Ridgefield, so bringing Tribeca Community School to my hometown is deeply meaningful to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past 20 years, we\u2019ve built a school in New York that families trust because it treats childhood with the seriousness and respect it deserves. We\u2019re excited to bring that same philosophy to a community that values education, the arts, and strong family connections.\u201d<\/p>\n

The school in New York City, now three campuses on a city block, was founded in 2006 and started with seven pre-school students.<\/p>\n

Schachtel and Habib visited Tribeca Community School often and took over in 2018 when the original owner retired.<\/p>\n

The program in Manhattan now has 135 students, and is full, with admissions opening up for fall of 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith families in Ridgefield there seemed to be a nice marriage between what families wanted and what we have,\u201d Schachtel said, of choosing a Connecticut location.<\/p>\n

The school is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Schachtel predicts classes will fill in October.<\/p>\n

\"TribecaTribeca Community School in NYC. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not inexpensive, but many schedules are offered at different prices.<\/a> Full day for an infant, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is $2,900 per month for five days a week. For 4 to 6 year old students, it\u2019s $2,100 monthly for those same hours. Half days are available for less and extended hours for extra fees.<\/p>\n

The academic readiness begins at 2 to 3 years old, but the learning and self-direction begin much younger at Tribeca Community School.<\/a> The school is inspired by the educational philosophy that emerged in Reggio Emilia, Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a caregiver sees a child at 3 months old is interested in an activity she\u2019ll surround the kid with that material,\u201d Schachtel said.<\/p>\n

The way it\u2019s done is different here, he said, as there is a lot of interest in following the child.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll both get to the same place in academics,\u201d Schachtel said, but the people who have gone through the program are \u201cwell prepared, confident, collaborative. they persevere and have good outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Connecticut they are drawing enrollees from Ridgefield, Wilton, Danbury, Pound Ridge, and New Canaan.<\/p>\n

Schachtel spent years in a creative field as a filmmaker and project manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love working with children wanted to start a school for a long time with good friend,\u201d he said. \u201cMy wife said this is your passion. You should do this . Every day is fascinating to see children.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the environment children learn in is important and the school is filled with natural light.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a beautifully designed environment,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to be in Ridgefield.\u201d<\/p>\n

The way the staff work is through \u201cprovocations\u201d to spark curiosity, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s planned,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Something that happened accidentally in New York, for example, is that children were fascinated with the birds on a walk.<\/p>\n

The children asked, \u201cHow do we communicate with birds?\u201d and the staff told them to think of ways to get them messages.<\/p>\n

They started to talk about pulley systems to get messages to the birds, tied notes to tree trunks and started to write letters to them, which fit in with the curriculum.<\/p>\n

\"TribecaTribeca Community School in NYC. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n

It all sparked fun observations, he said.<\/p>\n

Early childhood veteran Melissa Barissi will lead the new school.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe relationships children build with their teachers, classmates, materials, and environment become the foundation for everything that follows,\u201d Barissi said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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