Bement is an oasis—a small, kindergarten through grade 9 school nestled below the Pocumtuck Range and flanked by the sparkling Deerfield River. We are a kind community that values happiness and hard work, and we teach our students to embrace challenges.
We want our students to feel excited and fulfilled every day, whether they are kindergartners chasing butterflies or ninth graders conducting science experiments. We prepare our young people for the next phase of life—from first learning to read to write a standout essay for entry into competitive secondary schools. We combine our local resources and global reach for a truly exceptional educational experience. Here is what we mean:
- We are local. The Pioneer Valley is rich with academic scholarship, stunning beauty, and agricultural heritage. Our street in Historic Deerfield (Deerfield Academy is our neighbor) is steeped in history. Kids explore our natural landscape and eat fresh, local food from nearby farms.
- We are global. We are a multicultural, buzzing, and innovative campus, with students from sixteen different countries. We intentionally ask our students to look beyond our Bement community to understand how to interact with and serve the world.
- We are exceptional. Our team of educators is among the best, and our curriculum helps students flourish—from dedicated play to experiential academics. Every day, students create art and music, frolic outside, study fascinating topics, and compete in a wide range of sports.
We invite you to tour our campus. We would love to meet you. (Do not be surprised if someone asks you to join their game as you walk by. It is just the type of school we are.) The Bement School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, ancestry, religious affiliation, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to its students. The school does not discriminate in the administration of any institutional programs.
A formative education invites students and adults to reflect on and attend to their self-identity. At Bement, that promise of openness to personal growth is extended to others as well. Each person is also aware, observant, and responsive to all individuals' well-being and perspective on campus and everywhere. This requires each person to be selfless, see beyond their personal needs, be grateful for what they have, and be kind so that others' needs are also attended to.
We choose to do the right thing, even if the right thing is hard. At Bement, we are confident that we are not standing alone. As a community that values integrity, we are responsible for our words and actions for our good and more so for the good of the world in which we live. Our students serve needs beyond the classroom, contribute to extended communities, and connect globally to help those without the same privileges and opportunities.
Each person gives their best in all they do regardless of adversity, hardships, or obstacles, perceived or real. With a vigorous, hearty spirit, we give everything we have, utilize every available tool and resource, ask others for support to learn from setbacks, and overcome struggles. We are courageous in facing short term challenges and patient in the pursuit of broader long term goals.
We are a diverse community comprised of students and families from broad cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, and we honor and are in awe of each person's story. We reinforce a positive message about who each individual is and admire the qualities that serve them well. We expect that all are included in the school's life and able to express and authentically contribute their strengths. We aim to instill meaningful connections across our K-9 grades, allowing upper school students to be models of inclusion for our lower school students. This ensures that each student feels valued and confident, and it is through this lens, our students view the world in which we live.
