The Arthur Morgan School
"Founded in 1962, Arthur Morgan School (AMS) is a progressive boarding and day school for girls and boys in grades 7, 8 & 9. AMS is located on 100 acres of farm and wilderness in the Celo Community, about an hour north of Asheville, North Carolina."
Mission
"The mission of Arthur Morgan School is to provide a safe and loving environment where students in grades 7, 8, and 9 learn to question and evaluate, think creatively and work independently and cooperatively, while sharing in a community that honors simplicity, respect, responsibility and thoughtful consideration."
Vision
"The vision of Arthur Morgan School is to empower our students to make courageous choices that may create global change by developing awareness of our impact on social and ecological life."
Farm and Garden
"The philosophy of simple living, a large part of our curriculum, includes working with nature and cultivating an appreciation for the natural world. Our sustainable agriculture program connects students to the natural world in a direct way. In the fall students are involved in harvesting and storing vegetables. In the spring, they help with planting the garden crop which the next year’s students will harvest in the fall. "
Community Life
"Arthur Morgan School is a community, and in many fundamental ways the lives of everyone here — students and staff — are shared. Not only do we learn together, we cook, clean, hike, travel, build, plant and harvest together. Each year it takes time for the group to develop its sense of unity and direction. AMS strives to be a safe place for people to express their feelings. The group spirit that results from our endeavors is essential to the success of our community."
Unique Features Consensus and All School Meeting
"Arthur Morgan School is a staff-run school, meaning that there is no hierarchy amongst staff and that all of our decisions are made by consensus. Our weekly All School Meeting operates on a consensus model and serves as a forum for student voices to be heard. Students set the agenda, clerk the meetings, speak for themselves, are asked to be responsible for their own actions, and are encouraged to be honest with themselves and the community about the issues at hand. Our process offers an opportunity for students to make real and relevant decisions about the functioning of our community."
Outdoor Program
"While work on the land and walks in the woods are a part of our daily living, students also take three extended outdoor trips each year that prove to be highly valuable learning experiences. In preparation for these trips, we provide instruction on backpacking, safety in the wilderness, strategic food and gear packing and “Leave No Trace” camping ethics."
18-day Research and Service Learning Trips
"During February and March, the AMS program goes on the road, breaking into three different field trip groups. Each field trip has an educational theme, and students learn about the theme as their in-depth study class in the academic unit leading up to departure. Themes from past trips include: Coastal Ecology, Hunger and Homelessness, Environmental Impact of Energy Sources, Civil Rights and Blues Music, Hurricane Katrina Relief, Justice and the Prison System, and Immigration and Border Issues."
Academics
Educational Philosophy
"At AMS, we encourage a climate of intellectual curiosity inside and out of the classroom, encouraging students to see connections between their studies and the world around them. Our active and experiential approach to learning teaches self-motivated curiosity and discipline, laying the foundations for a life of inquiry and creative problem solving. Hands-on academic classes allow students to explore how the material they are learning relates to the world. Small classes (6-10 students) enable teachers to focus on individual needs and allow for frequent class discussion and debate."











