History

History

The Amherst Day School, a preschool on the campus of Amherst College, was first established in 1936. Since there was no school-building on the campus, classes were held in the Amherst College Gym.

In 1937, Amherst College alumnus James Turner and his family donated a small brick building located on the eastern part of the college's campus to the Amherst Day school so that children from the town would have their own place to learn and play together.

Today, the Amherst Day School operates under the name, "The Little Red Schoolhouse" and resides in the original building that Turner and his family donated to the community. The school continues the tradition of growth and play, offering a warm and loving environment in which children of Amherst and the surrounding communities can experience the joy of learning.

The Little Red Schoolhouse is administered by an independent Board of Trustees. The members of the Board are usually parents of children at the school.

The Little Red Schoolhouse Staff

Therese Ross begins her sixth year as Director of The Little Red Schoolhouse. She is Director certified by the Office of Childcare Services in Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Wheaton College and has previously taught in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and in the Boston area. She brings to the program her interest in conflict resolution, group games, and science discovery. Therese’s daughters, Tulsa and Ella Kipling, are LRSH alumnae.

Christine O’Donnell begins her third year of teaching at Little Red. She has many years of experience in early intervention and classroom teaching, having worked in Holyoke and Northampton. Christine is a graduate of Westfield State College and brings her enthusiasm for math and literacy to The Little Red Schoolhouse. Christine’s son, Zach, is a LRSH alumnus.

Sarah Hodgkins joins the Little Red staff this year. Sarah attended The Little Red Schoolhouse as a child. After many years in the architecture/design field, Sarah recently earned her teaching certificate from Greenfield Community College. Sarah's art and designs interests are a terrific addition to our staff. Sarah, her husband, and three children live in Amherst.

Wendy Plummer joins us as music teacher for her sixth year.

Janet Williams, twenty year veteran at Little Red, begins her first year as Librarian of the book collection named in her honor. Janet will join the class each week to share new books and provide literature connections for the curriculum.