“Coming from a competitive school in the city, I wasn’t sure what to expect at a Buddhist school in Upstate New York, was it going to be rigorous enough? Would my child remain on par? I could not be more thrilled to see how fully my child is learning and how confident he has become. He now enjoys reading and his handwriting has improved, he’s doing mental math above his grade level. And on top of that, his genuine kindness is shining through brighter than ever. Thank you!”
ABOUT
Founded in 2017, The Middle Way School of the Hudson Valley is one of the first Buddhist preparatory schools for children in the West. Our mission is to empower students to take their places in the modern world. Our pedagogy and school culture draw upon foundational Buddhist teachings and traditions as well as the latest research in child development, neuroscience, and technology. MWS offers an exceptional education, creating conditions for wisdom and compassion to flourish.
ACADEMICS
We view education as a natural learning process that engages children’s innate potential and provides a way to understand the phenomenal world with grace and humor. Our students play, contemplate, engage with text and numbers, and are encouraged to use inquiry as the foundation for academic achievement. Our developmental approach to teaching and learning is highly personalized so that each student is experiences a balance of challenge and accomplishment. The aim is to tap into students’ intrinsic joy of learning while supporting their social, emotional and spiritual growth.
ADMISSIONS
The Middle Way School thrives on the principle of inclusion. We actively seek to build a community that is rich with diverse cultures, races, talents, interests, learning profiles, and economic and ethnic backgrounds. MWS is a pilot school with the support of a global community of friends and foundations who wish to see us succeed. Because of their support, we are able to offer ample financial aid to meet families needs. More than $100,000 in aid was given in 2019.
DAILY AND WEEKLY HAPPENINGS AT MIDDLE WAY SCHOOL
It’s World Water Day—a great time to reflect on our #outdoorclassroom experiences. During a day on the Hudson River, we cast a seining net to see what life we’d discover. Students got a closer look at #macroinvertebrates with a magnified projection and loved pointing out the ones they recognized from their studies.
With the aid of a dichotomous key, our budding scientists learned how to identify the fish we encountered. Then, we took turns assessing the clarity of the water to better relate to the health of the entire ecosystem.
We’re not only forming meaningful connections to the fresh water around us—we’re helping to raise a global awareness of how connected each living being is to one another.
Thank you @sloopclearwater for all of the inspiration and @scenichudson for creating such a beautiful space to study the #hudsonriver. Visit the UN’s worldwaterday.org to learn more about how water connects the world.
#hudsonvalleyschools #independentschool #worldwaterday #worldwaterday
Empathy and understanding are skills that benefit from practice. Last week, Middle Way advisor Amy Brown-White led an evening conversation for families around diversity and inclusion. We gathered to discuss the questions: Why are diversity and inclusion important? In what ways do dharma and inclusion intersect? How can we shift our perspective around the topic of anti-racism? @amybrownwhite has been working with MWS for three years, shaping the teaching curriculum and sharing supportive resources for families. Thank you, Amy!
Spring is here! While everyone is enjoying signs of the growing season ahead, the Ravens have been studying trees that flourish all throughout the year. As part of their conifer study, they honed their observation skills with scientific drawing. Their writing practice was nurtured by nature journaling. They even had a cooking class: pine needle cookies! Who knew learning could be so fun AND delicious?!
#holisticlearning #needleknowledge #outdoorclassrom #wilderness #skills #hudsonvalleyschools #springequinox
At the Middle Way School, our goal is for each student to forge a friendship with reading.
How? Is there a single best way to help children learn to read? Many schools subscribe to a streamlined methodology, such as Whole Language, Balanced Literacy, or Phonics Based Instruction. While it’s a noble aim to serve everyone equally, it’s not always realistic.
Each child’s brain is wonderfully unique and pathways to reading are forged individually. Of course, there are fundamental components of reading instruction that need to be part of a strong literacy program. These components include: phonemic awareness (the recognition that words are made of separate sounds combined together), phonics (the integration of phonemic awareness with the printed word), vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The Middle Way approach encompasses all of these components, tailored to the individual.
Being a small school by design allows us to know our students well and to communicate with families readily, as often as needed. We’re committed to timely and effective intervention and we also feel it’s essential to provide high-quality professional development for teachers. By working together, we provide our students with all the help they need in developing important skills and confidence—and, by all means, a sense of wonder about the world.
#literacy #reading #hudsonvalleyschools #independentschool #progressiveeducation #ulstercounty #upstateny #upstateschools
Join us for a rare, one-time screening of the remarkable film this body is so impermanent… (open to the public!)
An artistic collage of music, dance, and calligraphy, the film unites a range of meditations on the Vimalakirti Sutra, a Buddhist text from the first century CE.
Please support this special event by purchasing $10 tickets through the EVENTS link in our bio.
Children are invited to attend a simultaneous screening of Kiki’s Delivery Service, the 1989 Japanese animated classic by Hayao Miyazaki.
See you there!
Today was so much fun! At lunchtime, students learned how to make #buttercandles from… you guessed it… butter! After clarifying and melting, the butter was carefully poured around wicks by the oldest students. The younger friends eagerly observed, and then practiced their own pouring skills with tea. What a fun way to spread a little light!
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#chötruldüchen #butterlamp #ghee
Where do animals seek refuge? To better understand #biodiversity, the Dragons class crafted their own Biome Museum! Parents and schoolmates received a special invitation to visit the exhibition, featuring animals of the rainforest, arctic tundra, desert, ocean, pond, and grassland. Visitors were welcomed by an amazing collaborative mural, and students refined their presentation skills by sharing facts and answering questions. What gracious hosts!
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#biomes #refuge #museumstudies #buddhisteducation #dharmascience @natgeo
When Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche suggested that we start a school in the Hudson Valley, one of his pith instructions was to “create déjà vu” for the children—imprints or memories that might one day come back to them and help lead them to practice wisdom and compassion.
On this Losar we thought we would try to imprint a memory of a magical moment in time, when infinite bunnies sat and chatted with infinite Buddhas in a spellbinding forest in a tiny little box. With the help of @litebriteneon and artist Erika de Vries, we were able to realize that vision at our Lunar New Year celebration.
Students made their way to the "Palace of a Thousand Bunnies" behind several curtains in our pavilion. There they crouched down on the furry carpet and peered into another world. Exclamations of “that was awesome” and “wow” mingled with raga music and wind chimes. Students left the palace with a special blessing cord and hopefully a very good memory.
Happy Losar, everyone!
kyentse @kyentsefoundation #losar #buddhisteducation #dharmaforkids #childhood #fun
The Tibetan Lunar New Year (Losar) is a very special time at Middle Way! We’ve been welcoming the year of the Water Rabbit with arts and crafts, festive activities, joyful songs, and delicious foods. On Friday, students crafted their own rabbit masks for a parade, and served each other traditional Tibetan treats in the classroom. We’ve been practicing generosity and inviting abundance in the new year.
Want to learn more? Hop over to @middlewayedu to read more about #losar — you’ll find lots of fun ideas on how to celebrate this delightful holiday with children!
#BuddhistEducation #DharmaKids #WaterRabbit #LunarNewYear
In anticipation of Tibetan Lunar New Year (Losar), families gathered at school for an early morning smoke offering. Leading the ceremony were special guests Lama Drime and Lama Karma Drodhul, MWS parent and former president of @ktdmonastery. Offerings of flowers, juniper branches, and rice were tossed into the fire, with aspirations for a harmonious and fruitful year ahead. We bid farewell to our obstacles and welcomed what is to come!
#losar #firepuja #blessing #outdoorschool #yearoftherabbit
This week at the Middle Way School, we’ve been celebrating love! We’ve been exploring questions like, “Why is love just celebrated at this time of year? Why not all the time?”
Some of our students read The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by @selinaalko and penned love letters addressed to the ideas which guide their own hearts—like happiness, humor, equity, friendship, freedom, nature, and peace. By sharing love with the world, students grow to understand its limitless nature.
On this day and every day, let’s radiate boundless love!
#thecaseforloving #boundlesslove #radicalvalentines #metta
Thank you @chronogram readers for nominating the Middle Way School as “Best Elementary School” and “Best Independent School” in the #hudsonvalley. Last year, we held the FIRST-PLACE honor for both.
Only the top 5 nominees advance to the voting round. Will you support us? NOMINATE US DAILY THROUGH FEB. 15 by visiting the link in our bio.
#chronogrammies #chronogrammies2023 #upstateschools #hudsonvalleyschools
Our admissions window for 2023-2024 is open! All applications received by February 5 will be reviewed for early admissions.
To schedule a tour or to get the application process going, visit our admissions page for details: www.middlewayschool.org/admissions (link in bio).
“I came for the dharma and stayed for the high quality education. I could not be happier.” -- MWS parent
Come and join the Best Elementary School in the Hudson Valley (2022 Chronogrammies).
Middle Way School marked the winter solstice in a celebration full of candlelight, song, families, friends and a magical dragon.
Today’s winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere ~ we join with you all again to celebrate the suns return and brighter days ahead!
We reflected on this thought from our friend Gaylon Ferguson:
“We're joining in that really large stream of humanity, of human beings all over the world since ancient times, right up to 2022. Here we are, standing underneath these two great luminaries of the sun and the moon, those bright, luminous bodies in the sky. Everyone on the planet at some point, can look up and see. There's a sense in which there's a sun in our heart, that can shine with warmth, and wisdom and compassion. And all around the world there are rituals and ceremonies done on this day.”
–Gaylon Ferguson on noticing the cycles of the sun and moon.
With mastery of fire building comes opportunity! The Garudas cooked an egg in a paper cup IN the fires they built! Best eggs they’ve ever had!
They delighted in the warmth of fire and teamwork- and the successful completion of a challenge.
The Ravens class made their own compasses to determine the four directions in their classroom! They magnetized a needle, stuck it in a piece of cork, and set it in a bowl of water. The needle wiggled and moved back and forth but eventually, the magnetic North Pole pulled the needle around! Oohs and Ahhhs filled the room. Delight!
Dragons are working on their Hudson Valley family story. We love this project as a way to explore lineage, storytelling, collage, and the history of our shared home in New York State.
Oge Mora’s stunning book SATURDAY was our collage inspiration. Thank you @oge_mora!
Today is Giving Tuesday. Your contribution to our general operations fund will support things like PE equipment, art supplies, and campus upkeep and upgrades. Every donation helps, no matter the size. It’s also tax deductible. Link in bio. THANK YOU.
#givingtuesday
Introducing the Fawns Joy Jar! "Snowflakes on pinecones.” "My cat, Sprout.” "Stegosaurus and cheetahs and lions – their sharp teeth make me happy."
Each spark of joy is written on a slip of paper and dropped into the jar, followed by reflections on the myriad ways to bring joy to our ourselves, our family and friends, and communties. This is the beginning of our exploration of Bodhicitta, or awakened heart/mind.
TODAY is Giving Tuesday. Consider supporting Middle Way School with a tax deductible donation to support our operations. We’ll add you to our joy jar:) Thank you! 💙💫☀️
From our sister organization @middlewayedu: We are happy to announce the publication of a new book by Harry Einhorn, who is a composer, artist, meditation instructor, and Dharma Learning Specialist for MWE. Published by Bala Kids, this book is a simple story that describes the aspirations and activities of Lokeshvara, and how he came to have a thousand arms and eyes.
Harry presents Avalokiteshvara (Lokeshvara), the bodhisattva of love and compassion, with simple yet evocative language. Khoa Le’s illustrations are elegant and invoke the mood and beauty of compassion itself. We see the world through Lokeshvara’s gentle gaze. Lokeshvara serves beings in multiple forms, but the text does not address reincarnation explicitly. For this reason, the book is accessible to a variety of audiences who wish to introduce the idea of compassion. Importantly, Harry touches on the essential practice of taming or resting one’s mind in order to benefit others, as well as the value of interconnection.
The experience of trying to help others, but becoming discouraged when it’s not working out as one hoped is a common human experience. Through the story we see how Lokeshvara himself feels such sorrow upon seeing beings’ continued suffering that his heart bursts, and we see how his teacher, Amitabha then helps him to become even more capable in serving others than he was before.
“It is so important for children to know about Lokeshvara. I welcome this book as one that is not only timely but long overdue.”—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist
From the publisher:
Lokeshvara shows us that with compassion,
we can always pick up the pieces of a broken heart, and be stronger, more loving, and more wise than before.
Available now from Shambhala Publications, (link in bio)
#buddhisteducation #dharmareading #buddhistbooks #dharmabooks #harryeinhorn @khoa.le.artwork
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. On this global day of generosity, we ask you to support progressive Buddhist education for children by making a tax-deductible gift to the Middle Way School.
This year we have 90 students and have expanded into 6th grade. Needless to say our campus is bustling and alive! We’re so grateful for our fantastic teachers and staff and the incredible quality of education they provide each day. Our goal is to raise $20,000 by December 31 to help us meet our daily needs, remain flexible when inevitable change throws a new challenge our way, and maintain stability for our entire school community.
Every donation helps, no matter the size. To give, go to middlewayschool.org, or send a check to 268 W. Saugerties Road, Saugerties, NY 12477. Thank you!
Giving Tuesday is November 29. This global day of giving serves as an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities. As a Buddhist school, we love #GivingTuesday for its focus on interconnection during the Holiday season.
Giving Tuesday and the end of the calendar year are an important time for our school to raise funds including much-needed donations to help cover our operational costs. As you plan your year-end giving please consider supporting Middle Way School. We are a young start-up and your help is especially valued. THANK YOU!
Video by @chase.c.bauer
Sharing knowledge about the wild edible foods of our forest at Middle Way delights our students. They enjoy the work of learning to identify the gift giving plants, the collection and work of processing and preparing the leaves/roots/nuts into a tasty treat. Learning to forage is certainly fun - but it also offers a means of sourcing healthy, local, natural, nutrient rich, free food! There is power in connecting to nature as a means of radical self sufficiency. We hope our students will always carry with them a deep knowing that their(our) own lives are so inextricably connected to the lives of plants. And that plants are just awesome!!
Here are our Middle Way Owls processing red oak acorns. We shelled them, and we are currently cold leaching the tannins out, before we dry and grind the acorns into delicious nutritious naturally gluten free flour.
Our acorn flour cooking class and recipe experimentation to come!
Last week the Owls class had a glorious retreat day. They stepped away from their daily schedule to spend time in the woods. Their time was spent building a fire, cooking lunch, sharing a meal, and exploring at Plattekill Creek. The larger purpose was community building, connection, collaboration, and communication. Fun was had by all!
There’s a lot happening in this photo… This day in the Snow Lions classroom was being documented by our sister organization, Middle Way Education, as part of their action research. Students are delving into the concept of lineage in an experiential way, with parents and grandparents visiting the classroom to share family traditions. Here the Snow Lions (kindergarten) are learning about the English Christmas tradition of crackers while @chase.c.bauer captures the moment. As MWE leads the research and development of a full k-12 curriculum, MWS teachers are the true artists, finding ways to bring Buddhist ideas to children in age appropriate ways. Lesson plans developed at the school are made available on the @middlewayeducation website. #buddhisteducationforchildren #curriculum #lineage #christmascrackers
This week in PE (in the most perfect weather) we SWOOSHED into our basketball unit including learning the lineage behind the sport. Questions we are curious about this week:
What are basketballs made of?
Where did the sport originate?
Why is the ball orange?
Why is it called a basket-ball?
Where is it most popular?
Why is it called dribbling?
How do you spider?
Who invented basketball?
Who’s the best known basketball player?
We love this opportunity to have fun, leap high, and dig deep into the history of a favorite game.
SHWOOSH!
More than 60 humans gathered last night to be lit up by Gaylon Ferguson’s inspiring Full Moon Dharma Talk on basic goodness and cultivating enlightened society. The children had a blast too! Many thanks to the parents of the Dharma Committee and especially to Matt, Erika and Sequoia for their gracious hosting at Lite Brite Neon. @fancyswanpants @litebriteneon @mattdilling
Our friends at Sunflower Market in Woodstock recently selected Middle Way School as one of their businesses of the month, which resulted in a generous donation. We are so grateful for this support - it will be put to good use! Some of our Garuda and Owl students wanted to express their appreciation in technicolor. @sunflower___market
A moment of glee in the Ravens movement class “dancing with scarves” // a moment of quiet as a Raven puts the finishing touches on a piece of writing.
Garudas explore lineage and systems through multiple lenses. Nature, math, science, writing, community, and social and emotional learning take center stage throughout!
Happy Halloween!
In our Lineage unit, we investigate where things come from and where they go. This week the Fawns class explored the amazing marigold flower! They learned about where seeds come from, harvested them, and made seed envelopes to keep them safe until spring. The Fawns also explored the petal pigment, making a beautiful work of art by using a block to transfer the pigment to cloth.
The Snow Lions are beaming after a fascinating visit with Ryan and Lilly of @ZenaFarmstead as part of their yearlong investigation of farms in the Middle Way School community. Thank you Ryan and Lilly!
Afterward, they created still life drawings of heirloom corn in art class with Diana.
🌽 🌱 🎨
Update from the Dragons: Our major news revolves around a discovery that has taken us on a mini detour! Dragons found a stick bug by our classroom door and have given it a new home for now as we study this creature. As one Dragon put it, "We are scientists, we need to see real things to study!" One student and his family built a magnificent habitat for our stick bug (who we recently found out was female because she just laid some eggs!) This stick bug has really brought the classroom together in a new way. The children are connecting on a new level over a passion they all have. We've watched videos, read stories and articles, observed and went searching for more as well as built our own out of sticks using the correct anatomical parts of a stick bug or walking stick. We have learned a lot so far and will continue to follow the Dragons' passion for this creature. We can use this stick bug for so many areas of study and it is a natural way to bring in the Dharma theme of Lineage. We talked about the life cycle of a stick bug and asked questions about the life before she became a member of our community. When some Dragons wanted to name her, one child said, "But we do not know her story, she might already have a name." This study has also allowed us to dip our feet into many Dharma themes as well including Refuge and Impermanence.
Garudas *delighted* in discovering the macroinvertebrates in the Plattekill during their weekly stream visit!
A frog in child’s pose on the MWS campus as discovered by children during recess // child’s pose in movement class, inspired by the frog:)
"The school is a treasure, the children can be themselves in a positive, mindful and joyful environment. I really like it so much - the values, the environment, and most of all the community of people." — Esther, MWS parent
“The Middle Way School is truly a blueprint for the future of education. The school's ethos centers each child's unique experience, while simultaneously holding the health of the whole community at its core. The educators wonderfully combine and support a sense of curiosity, gratitude, and creative embodiment in our children, that continuously humbles and excites us as parents. The education provided at Middle Way is awe inspiring; cultivating a creative and playful lens into the learning of math and science, while also holding an equal appreciation for the natural world through art, music, play, and nature based education. As a family, we continually feel a deep sense of gratitude and peace in knowing we are a part of such an intentional and thriving school.” —Words from a MWS parent
Join Us for our Open House Saturday, October 22, 2022
"Middle Way is everything I could hope for as a parent. They combine education with social and somatic development through a Buddhist lens seamlessly and in a way that is fun and nurturing for our daughter. I have watched her take leaps in her confidence, independence, and sense of self just from going to school here for one year. My only complaint is that there isn't an adult version." MWS parent Luis Mojica. Learn more at our open house Saturday October 22 10-noon at the MWS campus. #buddhisteducation
JOIN US | OPEN HOUSE
THE MIDDLE WAY SCHOOL
of the Hudson Valley
* Voted Best Elementary School in the Hudson Valley 2022 *
October 22, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
268 West Saugerties Road
Explore our beautiful campus, meet our teachers and curriculum team, visit classrooms, and learn more about the Middle Way history, approach, and admissions process.
Middle Way School’s innovative model is a blend of modern education and timeless Buddhist wisdom, developing the excellent qualities of intelligence, contemplation, and discipline.
Preschool to 6th Grade
Parents at Middle Way are invited to explore the dharma through whichever pathway suits their interest and learning style - intellectual, embodied, artistic, cultural, and/or contemplative. The program is called the Five Wisdom Pathways. This week a group gathered in our pavilion with master calligrapher Barbara Bash to experience contemplative big brush calligraphy. “Thank you for bringing this to the school and for this most wonderful eye opening opportunity.” “I was truly awestruck. Such a pure and direct meditation straight into the connectedness of heaven, earth and heart.” “Loved it so much. I was giddy watching the group and the concept of beginning middle end…” “I enjoyed the beauty and letting it go. Just being together and settling into space together is beautiful.” “The programming has felt so rich this year, appreciate all the care you've woven into these offerings. Much gratitude to Barbara, the school, and the community of parents who participated.”
Taking Your Seat is the first unit of a MWS school year. After slipping out of the palace by the light of a full moon, Prince Siddhartha spent several years doing intense yoga and meditation until he realized it was extreme. He began to ponder his path. Svasti, a perceptive ox herder boy who sensed something important was brewing, wished he could support Siddhartha’s contemplations. All he could do was offer a mat that he wove from kusha grass, similar to our local cat tails. That evening, Siddhartha took his seat on the mat under the Bodhi tree, went into a deep meditation, and reached a state of such deep awakening that to this day we call it enlightenment. That night Siddhartha became the Buddha. One could say that Svasti's kusha grass mat played a small part, maybe even a big part, in that awakening. And so we honor the cushions we sit on still.
At MWS, the students learned this story at the beginning of the year as a way to encourage appreciation of the small objects and gestures that enhance our learning community. Gillian worked with the Fawns on caring for their cushions, making name tags and learning how to keep them zipper side down.
Dorothy brought cat tail grass in and taught the Dragons learned to weave. She also went into a discussion of the caste system “We had a great conversation about bias with our 8 and 9 year olds stemming from the kusha grass story and the role of Svasti as an ‘untouchable’. We talked about characteristics and labels. Perhaps the true gift was from Siddhartha to Svasti, offering a different perspective, being critical of observed norms. The story breathes life into the idea that labels are not always correct but limiting or even oppressive. To me the grass was less of a seat and more of a thank you. Accepting it and using it made Svasti feel like he was worth something and dispelling some illusions that came with the label ‘untouchable'." #oldpathwhiteclouds #takeyourseat #buddhisteducation
As part of our exploration of place value in math, the Owls used their knowledge of base ten blocks to conceptualize and create 'ten thousands rods.' This activity was a hands-on way to foster deeper understanding of large numbers!
This week in P.E. Fawns conquered the first of many obstacle courses for the year.
Wild Horses employed teamwork to finish their task: get through hula hoops from start to finish, using their bodies and not letting go of their hands.
Ravens used one of our newest additions to P.E… our kindness ball! With the kindness ball, we bring harmonious speech and kind language. We go around with the ball, either complimenting or naming one thing about or friends we have noticed. This is now how we start every P.E!
As a way into our Lineage thematic unit, Fawns talked about what they do with their families. We all agreed — we *love* to eat together.
With Yinan we read “The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round” by Wendy Wan-Long Shang, and made delicious Chinese egg noodles with sesame oil and soy sauce (cucumbers and chives were optional!). Fawns had a chance to practice fine motor skills using chopsticks - or fingers- to slurp up the yummy goodness.
“Sharing food is sharing love” as the proverb goes. Thank you for sharing your tradition, Yinan!
A glorious day at the river with the Garudas class spent foraging, exploring, and learning about the vast interconnected waterways of the Hudson Valley 🌊 💙
SCENES FROM TODAY
A new year brings new traditions. Today was our first Full Moon Fancy Dress Day, and some of our friends really came through to celebrate September’s Harvest Moon. This is just a small glimpse of the finery on show.
Nearly forty parents showed up for our first full moon dharma talk of the year to hear from Bethany Saltman about attachment, parenting, and dharma. There were sighs of relief from the audience as Bethany spoke about the challenges and delights of parenting. “I feel like some deep need was met today,” said one parent. One main take away is that we are all attached one way or another but we must know our selves and be in touch with our own minds in order to have healthy, secure attachment. Thank you @bethany_saltman ! And to the parent-led dharma committee who helped make this such a meaningful event. More to come! #attachmenttheory #dharma #parenting #strangesituationbook #buddhistparenting
Interested?
Interested in enrolling? Want to learn more? Fill out this simple contact form (link below) and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Middle Way School holds regular open houses. We also can arrange individual tours. This form will automatically sign you up for important notifications regarded enrollment.
Thanks for your interest in Middle the Way School!
ORIGINS
All major religions of the world have systems of educating children in their traditions, beliefs, rituals, and values. There are maktab and madrasas for Muslims, Catholic schools, Jewish day schools, Sunday schools, Catechism classes, all kinds of afterschool programs, camps, and specialized schools meant to teach children to become the stewards of their respective religious traditions. Buddhist education for children has, for the most part, been offered to monastic communities with grassroots initiatives few and far between. Because Buddhism is not culture bound, there are few broadly accepted holidays, festivals and customs to introduce to children. Often, the transference of the Buddhist view happens in the home. Some Buddhist parents have independently created programs for children, but there is no generally accepted content or method for teaching the dharma to children.
To bridge this gap, a team of educators and active Buddhists, inspired by the vision of Bhutanese Buddhist master Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, began exploring the possibility of creating such a model of education. It became clear that the model had to be developed in situ, in an actual school. Middle Way Education was established to spearhead this effort.
In 2017 after exploring options in Bali, Indonesia, India, and Taiwan, it was decided that the Middle Way pilot school should be located in Upstate New York. The Middle Way School opened in 2018 with 17 students in West Saugerties. In 2020 we enrolled 55 students in 6 classes.
The Hudson Valley is an ideal location for our pilot school. The welcoming and independent mindset in this area, along with supportive communities like Zen Mountain Monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Omega Institute, and other centers of study and practice, makes this a fertile ground for a new model of education to come into being.
We hire and enroll without discriminating against any identifying factor which may include race, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. We will make accessibility accommodations for individuals with disabilities to the fullest extent possible. As an institution and as individuals we recognize that we have the responsibility to actively change the power differences that perpetuate biases against historically underrepresented groups. Our inclusion efforts are a dynamic process. We welcome your experience and invite your input on how our school community can continue to evolve.
