Down a short gravel driveway in Floyd, through a grove of forsythias, and into a small clearing surrounded by a dense deciduous forest, sits Blue Mountain School, a 43-year-old alternative school which has recently expanded its offerings to include a program focused on children the ages of 10-14, traditionally known as the middle school years.
According to Blue Mountain School Director Tammie Sarver, the need for alternative education is increasingly recognized as essential to meeting the diverse needs of all learners. Tailored educational opportunities are key to helping every child reach their full potential. Blue Mountain School (BMS) offers a holistic educational approach that nurtures the mind, heart, creativity, physicality, and spirituality of every student.
Building on the success of their contemplative progressive early childhood curriculum, Blue Mountain School launched their middle school program in 2023 and the children have thrived under the guidance of teacher Susan Cordell, who brings 25 years of middle school teaching experience to the school.
Enrollment is currently open and Blue Mountain School is accepting applications for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
At BMS, alternative education goes beyond traditional learning models, providing robust support tailored to each student’s unique needs. With smaller class sizes, personalized learning plans, and a nurturing environment that celebrates diversity, promotes empathy, and fosters collaboration, Blue Mountain School works to ensure every learner thrives.
BMS students also benefit from the integral component of family involvement in school activities. Both family and student involvement help foster a strong sense of community, partnership, and togetherness throughout campus.
With classes named after precious gemstones, all Blue Mountain grade levels benefit from age-appropriate curricula that nurtures real-world needs and experiences to enable student success in the dynamic, interconnected world we live in. For instance, Middle School students enjoy learning activities that feature a weekly language course along with Geography/History and Natural Science lessons. They actively engage in community service at local non-profit organizations like Plenty! The class also takes regular learning based
field trips, including learning ventures with NRV Land Trust, Floyd Center for the Arts, Plenty!, Red Rooster Coffee, and Sound to Sea in coastal North Carolina. Guest speakers are also hosted to encourage the exploration of diverse occupations. This year speakers will include a herpetologist, a veterinarian, the artistic director of the SWVA Ballet, and many more.
Designed for students approximately aged 10-14, the Blue Mountain Middle School Program offers a unique educational approach that fosters individualized learning and holistic development. With multi-age classrooms supporting collaborative learning, looping teachers for increased continuity, and a focus on intrinsic motivation, BMS ensures each student can progress confidently at their own pace. BMS supports individual growth without comparisons between students and emphasizing deeper learning experiences, with the intention that BMS students benefit from stronger self-esteem.
Reflecting on the inception of the BMS Middle School Program, Tammie Sarver, Director at Blue Mountain School, commented, “As a leader at a nonprofit school that has served the Floyd community for 43 years, I apply a service-oriented lens in all my decision-making. Recognizing the community’s needs, we identified an unmet need for an alternative middle school education option. We addressed this gap by welcoming Susan Cordell, Middle School Program Lead, to our team in 2022. Originally from Texas, Susan is a talented educator with decades of experience and a Master’s degree in Inquiry-Based Math and Science Learning. Her community immersion and educational partnerships significantly contribute to the success of our middle school program’s success.”
Meg Alton, a parent of a recent middle school graduate, noted that her son’s “social emotional wellness was supported in ways that only Blue Mountain School can do while still providing a thoughtful education. His middle school experience has prepared him academically for the next chapter… and more importantly, his spirit has remained intact as he continues to grow into a kind, aware, and curious individual. The stresses of middle school that we were concerned about when he was younger weren’t present at Blue Mountain School and watching him grow into himself has been even better than I could have wished for.”
Blue Mountain School celebrated its largest class of graduates this June at their annual Bridging Ceremony, marking the successful completion of the pilot year of its Middle School program. This achievement underscores the dedication of its educators and the effectiveness of its innovative approach.
Blue Mountain School
