Philosophy Day School provides a rich Classical education incorporating knowledge and approaches to life from Eastern and Western civilizations. The School’s curriculum integrates academics, arts and physical education, while the philosophy of educating “the whole child” places emphasis on character development and a life-long love for the pursuit of wisdom. The Early Childhood Program (Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten) is a half-day program which provides a gentle, easy transition from home life to school. The program incorporates NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Best Practices, emphasizing learning through play. The daily student teacher ratio of 6:1 enable students to engage in individual, small group and whole class activities where they can explore their interests, gain appropriate social skills and develop a love of learning. The 8:30am to 12:45pm school day incorporates lunch into the schedule as a way of building community. Philosophy Day’s innovative curriculum develops with the child, allowing a seamless move from Pre-K into the Elementary Program (K - 4). Here the School builds upon literacy and mathematic skills as a basis for learning. The enviable student teacher ratio of 7:1 guides students to articulate their ideas and feelings, to understand the ideas of others and to confidently question and explore their subjects and the world around them. The structured, unpressured environment encourages students to value themselves, their classmates and their teachers. School runs from 8:00am to 3:15pm (Kindergarten until 3:00 pm). With the School’s proximity to Central Park and Museum Mile, neighborhood resources enhance the curriculum in an age-appropriate manner. The afterschool program is based upon parental demand and includes activities chosen to introduce the students to a breadth of multicultural activities- academic, artistic and physical. Formerly known as the Ark Nursery and the Abraham Lincoln School, the new name more clearly acknowledges the School’s principles and origins as one founded by parents who were students of The School of Practical Philosophy. Philosophy Day School is part of an international network of schools providing a similar education.