Mustard Seed School

One Parent's Perspective on Choosing Mustard Seed

One Mustard Seed parent reflected recently on what it's been like to be part of the Mustard Seed community for the last eleven years. She offers these thoughts for parents about to choose a school.

Our experience at Mustard Seed School

Eleven years ago we were in your spot, deciding where to send out daughter to school. I remember it like it was yesterday. What we looked for in a school was - at minimum - a high-quality academic program, and the public schools just weren't right. Fortunately, however, there were a number of good quality private schools, and today a number of Charter schools to choose from, and we looked at them all.

At MSS we found a challenging and well-crafted curriculum that focused primarily on building a foundation of knowledge from which children can excel in HS and succeed in life. MSS does this with both conventional and very innovative and creative programs including its award winning shared-space program in the lower school and its newly implemented Student Exhibitions in the Junior High. I encourage you all to ask questions about these and other programs.

And while the learning environment at MSS is challenging, it is also fun with a big emphasis on celebrations of all different traditions and cultures.

It is also a safe environment. I don't mean physically - that goes without saying - I mean a safe environment where the children are able to and encouraged to take risks. MSS creates a safe place for children to discover their own talents and weaknesses - where ridicule is not tolerated and respect for the teachers and students alike is demanded.

One aspect of the school environment I find amazing is - no matter what time of day you come to this school, and I have been there at all different times - it is always quiet. Not that the children are zombies at their desks. They are all over the building - in the classroom, in the library, in the hallways, in the shared space, in the music room - wherever, but it's quiet, and orderly, even at dismissal.

OK, so we were looking for a school with good academics and we found one here and this was reinforced by the school's reputation in the community, by the recognitions it has received and by the caliber of HS its graduates attend. But as I said earlier, there are other good-quality private and charter schools in Hudson County. So why MSS?

What distinguishes MSS from all the other schools in the area is its sense of itself. MSS has a mission. Every teacher and staff member is committed to its mission and every aspect of its programs seeks to fulfill its mission.

The school views each student as having inherent value that comes from being a child of God. The children are treated this way and grow to see themselves and others this way too. The idea that each child is a precious gift is one of the cornerstones of the school. This is very different from other schools. It was important for us to find a school where our children would be encouraged to do well, not just for the grade, but for the sake of serving God.

When children internalize that sense of self-worth, they come to know that they have responsibilities - to themselves, to the school and to society. They have the responsibility to develop their talents and skills to be as good as they can be at whatever they do. Ultimately I believe this leads to happiness.

And these values are taught and reinforced not just by words, but by traditions, ceremonies, and service projects that the children come to love such as Los Posadas, Passover, Field Day, Chinese New Year, to name only a few.

And there is one tradition that is particularly moving to me. Before the school year begins the staff conferences about the upcoming year, and at that conference, they pray. They pray for each child. Individually. By name. What a great comfort it is to all parents - to know that we are sending our children to a place where they are so loved.

This community was developed intentionally - every worship service, every ceremony, every field trip is measured against an objective to teach what is good. And that focus is essential to its success. Many schools teach virtues of civic duty, responsibility, etc. But there is not much behind it. It's not sufficient to say this is how you should live because we say so. That's good. It is a start. But it won't survive the first real test of character. At MSS, the children's self-worth is rooted in the knowledge that they are inherently valuable because God created them. And that will stay with them always. With each and every test.

You may be thinking that this is all well and good, but that these values are things that are most effectively taught at home and at church. And it is true. They should be and they are. We teach our values to our children and we take them to church for one hour each week, and then we send them to schools for eight hours a day where in many instances our beliefs are undermined. So how great is it to have a school reinforce the universal truths.

Earlier today, I was reading over these remarks, and it occurred to me that I am focusing a lot on religion, and I wasn't sure how appropriate that was for this talk. This is, of course, a religious school made up of dedicated and committed Christians, but it appeals to a broad spectrum of families. Some are deeply religious, but some families are not. Some are not Christian, some are agnostics and I am sure there are some atheists out there too. What brought them here? I think it comes down to this: we live in an age where children grow up so fast. They are exposed to so much media that focuses on the wrong stuff and exposes them to adult themes way too early. This is especially true in an urban environment where not all children are appropriately supervised and can be poor role models and bad influences. At MSS, you have a place where your kids can be kids surrounded by loving teachers who are committed to developing their minds and character.

I want to close with the teachers, for none of what I have talked about would be possible without the wholehearted investment and commitment of the teachers. After eleven years here, I get a sense from them that they view their work not just as a job or profession, but as a mission - they have made a decision that preparing their students both academically and spiritually to live the "good life" is what they are called to do. And MSS provides a perfect environment to fulfill that calling.

To put it simply, if your child goes to MSS, that child will leave a better person.