Four Winds School is an independent middle school where students in grades 6 through 8 learn at their own level and pace.
Our small size, combined with our focus on social skills, mental health, and social justice, creates a safe learning environment for students of any race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
In addition to these valuable life skills, our students learn self confidence, time management, and most importantly, they learn how to learn.
Explore the information, links, pictures, and videos on our website to learn more!
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Alternative School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 12 students
- Yearly Tuition: $17,400
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School News
- Emphasis on academic independence benefits Gill’s Four Winds School amid pandemic - 10/22/2021While many schools around the world have been debilitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Four Winds School teachers feel the 14-student school has managed to stay in its element.
- Greenfield Recorder: Four Winds students raise money for Mashpee Wampanoag tribe - 11/04/2020Vincent Craig, Effie Paxton and Juna Gradick participate in a walkathon at the Four Winds School in Gill to raise money for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe on Columbus Day. Staff ...morePhoto/PAUL FRANZ hide
- Mashpee Enterprise Article: Central Massachusetts School Holds Fundraiser For Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - 11/04/2020About 25 people were involved with the walk-a-thon fundraiser the Four Winds School held to raise money for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Gifted, 2e (twice exceptional), autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression
Year Founded
1999
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
12 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
13%
State avg.: 29%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
3:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
We encourage bodily autonomy, including what students choose to wear to school
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,400
Tuition Notes
Four Winds School is committed to offering financial aid to students who need it.
% on Financial Aid
85%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,000
School Notes
- Our curriculum provides a balance between independent study, one-on-one instruction, group classes, community building, and the freedom for students to explore their own interests. We encourage social justice, empathy, and social skills, and provide a flexible and open environment for students to learn and grow.We work with students to help them build an individual course of study that suits their specific needs. This individualized program is organized and implemented through the use of the biweekly system. Learn more on our website:https://fourwindsschool.info/program/
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Four Winds School cost?
Four Winds School's tuition is approximately $17,400 for private students.
When is the application deadline for Four Winds School?
The application deadline for Four Winds School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 3/21/2022
The care taken by all students and staff at this school is remarkable, as is their approach to learning. It is student-centered, allowing middle-school-aged citizens to make their own decisions and to be held accountable for their own progress. The students are supported with knowledge, guidance, and care, and the community that is built within the school is intentional and supportive. We love it.
5 2/3/2022
I can't tell you how appreciative I am of Four Winds School! My son has come so far - both academically and socially, in the years he's attended Four Winds. Executive function is bolstered like no other school I know of, academics are geared to your child's personal abilities (there's no such thing as "grade level"), there is kindness and understanding, but also a lot of personal accountability. And maybe most importantly, the students are happy. Imagine that... really happy middle schoolers! It was absolutely the very best choice for my kid; I don't have a single regret about sending him here. 5 stars!
5 12/6/2021
Four Winds has given my middle schooler the opportunity to work at his own pace in a supportive and caring environment. He is not being pushed ahead or left behind with any curriculum. He is also developing critical management and executive functioning skills which will serve him well in high school and beyond. We are absolutely positive we made the right choice to bring him to Four Winds.
5 10/27/2021
Four Winds is one of the best things that happened to my son. Our mornings shifted from dragging him out of bed and long faces and sighs to a perfectly content teenager getting up and happily going to school. The smaller and quieter environment let him explore his interests, get to know his fellow students, and gain confidence. The staff was amazing and we could tell they knew him so well. I cannot rate this school highly enough.
5 10/20/2021
I spent 3 years at Four Winds, and I can say with confidence that my life would be worse if I went anywhere else. I was a very anxious kid, and I struggled greatly with interpersonal relationships, but this school helped me come out of my shell. My confidence was bolstered, and my academic and social success was bolstered along with it. Despite the non-traditional school structure, I was able to smoothly integrate into a more traditional school environment and achieve success there.
5 10/13/2021
I love working at Four Winds School. As a teacher, it's so wonderful to have an opportunity to make deep, years-long connections with my students, and to know that they are truly in an environment where they can learn and grow at their own level and pace. Unlike when I taught in a traditional public school setting, I can honestly say that each and every student learns every single day, which is extremely heartening to me as an educator. If I had children, I would absolutely send them to Four Winds School because I know they would not only receive an excellent education but that they would be supported socially and emotionally. Please don`t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions about our small school!
5 10/13/2021
Four Winds was the best place we ever could have found for our son. The 3 years he spent there helped him gain confidence and competence, they gave a quieter, less overwhelming middle school experience focused on allowing his own talents to emerge. He set his own academic pace and learned self-discipline and time management all under the expert guidance of some of the finest teachers in the Valley. The program includes much-needed time for art, music, physical activity, and the essential downtime kids need to refresh and reset. I wish we'd found it sooner so our other two kids could have gone there!
5 11/23/2020
Four Winds allow students to thrive in a way larger academic programs could only dream of. The "bi-weekly goals" model allows students to work at their own pace while gaining skills in time management that most students don't gain until college. This model also allows gifted students to accelerate as fast as they'd like, while simultaneously supporting students who struggle academically by moving at a pace that doesn't overwhelm them and lets them feel accomplished, whereas other pedagogical models can hinder their confidence. This is a school that feels academically enriching and emotionally safe for all students.
5 12/27/2017
This school is the best! It is small enough that you constantly get one on one time with the teacher, you go at your own pace for most of your work, everyone is really supportive, and there is no bullying. It is like one big family, mainly because it is such a tight nit community.
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