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Head of School

A portrait of Head of School Sarah Johnston

Welcome to Old Trail School!
 
Your interest in an Old Trail education illustrates your desire to immerse your child in deeper learning experiences and closer relationships with expert teachers. These intangibles are the core of our approach at Old Trail School and how we expound on our mission to develop intellectually curious, independent-thinking students.
 
Our picturesque 62-acre campus in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers students access to learning experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Our faculty and students regularly go beyond the classroom to explore the outdoors as an asset to their academic endeavors and their overall wellness. And because we believe it’s our responsibility to teach environmental conservation, we integrate sustainability into all aspects of the School, including the curriculum.
 
Since our founding in 1920, Old Trail School has preserved important traditions built on the philosophies of John Dewey and Maria Montessori, while simultaneously creating programs that embrace the future. We moved our campus to our present setting more than five decades ago, and although our school has evolved over the years, one quality has never changed: our commitment to academic excellence.
 
I’m proud to say that the best way to distinguish our students is by their lifelong love of learning.

They are curious. They think. They question. And we offer them numerous academic opportunities and a varied curriculum, from early childhood through eighth grade. Our location, our facilities and our technology, arts and athletic programs all contribute to a well-rounded and rich academic community.

Our students raise their voices to ask bigger questions and go on to scale bigger obstacles. That’s because, from the moment they join our community, they begin gaining the confidence, knowledge and skills to thrive—not just at Old Trail School, but also in high school, college and the rest of their lives.
 
Old Trail School is truly a special place. I invite you to contact us to schedule a visit to our campus. We would be delighted to welcome you to our school.

All my best,

Sarah Johnston Signature