Theophany School Recognized

May 01, 2003

From the Word Magazine

Theophany School's excellence was recently recognized by a grant from the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. The Order, the organization of Antiochian Orthodox Christian leaders dedicated to the "promotion and propagation of the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the welfare of the Orthodox faith," was impressed with the School's commitment to Orthodox Christian ideals and its mission to educate young Orthodox Christians. In the nearly three decades since its inception, the Order has donated in excess of $11 million, with much of its philanthropy focused on programs for children and clergy. Interestingly, the Order of St. Ignatius was the first organization to recognize Theophany School's potential when, during the School's first fledgling year of operation, the Order awarded the School another significant grant, despite the School having no established history.

The Order's extremely generous gift of ten thousand dollars was awarded to assist Theophany with the expansion of its Orthodox educational efforts. The School plans to target these funds for several development programs. One major effort is the design and execution of a summer and enrichment program. Theophany is now in the planning stages of a two-week summer day camp for young Orthodox Christians between the ages of three and six in the Boston area. An enrichment program on Saturdays will also be implemented throughout the year to expose our children to the arts and area museums. Additional funds will be used to also expand recruitment and educational efforts.

Excellence has been the School's hallmark since opening its doors to seventeen students in September 1997. Excellence has been what has sustained the School, believed to be the first inter-Orthodox Christian school in the country, through its short history. Though small, the School is proud of the successes of its young students, focusing on its mission to develop the intellectual, spiritual and moral gifts and talents of the Theophany Family through the teachings and life of the Holy Orthodox Christian Church.

Currently, the School offers high-quality early childhood education through a multi-age setting that expresses our philosophy of "excellence in education." Following the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) approach in the early years, the multi-age classroom places the child in the center of the curriculum. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate for all children to address their developing skills and recognizes each child as a unique individual. Educators and parents alike have applauded the multi-age classroom, which is being increasingly utilized in various formats through-out the country.

The School is grateful for its strong contingency of generous supporters, which, in addition to the Order of St. Ignatius, includes the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, the Farah Foundation, and numerous individual supporters throughout the Boston area and across the country. Most importantly, the School is thankful to the many parents, both current and past, who have believed in the School's mission and who have had the confidence in the School's leadership to entrust their children to the School.

Theophany School invites families to visit the School to see for themselves the excellence in education that occurs at the School on a daily basis. The School and its staff are fully licensed by the Massachusetts Office for Child Care Services and the Town of Needham. For more information, please visit www.theophanyschool.org.