physical education class 3 times a week
world language classes begin in Kindergarten
orchestra begins in Grade 2; band begins in Grade 4
diversity: 38% students of color; 20 towns represented
class size generally 20 students; less in K and Grade 1
accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States
need-based financial aid available
Emerson School is an independent, co-educational day school for gifted and for academically talented students in grades Kindergarten through eight. There are approximately 2000 independent schools across the United States. As part of the private school community, these schools provide more than 700,000 students with a unique and high quality education.
Independent schools are “independent” because they have distinct missions and are primarily supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions and endowment revenue. Each school meets high accreditation standards through regular review and assessment, and is held accountable by its Board of Trustees.
The Students:
There are 380 students, 145 in Middle School and 235 in Lower School.
The Campus:
Emerson is located on 20 acres west of Ann Arbor with nature center, playground, sports fields, and garden.
Six new Lower School classrooms were built in 2006.
The Library Media Center, remodeled in 2009, has 13,500 volumes and an online catalog.
The Community:
Our families bring many voices and experiences to Emerson. We are a DIVERSE COMMUNITY, in religion and race, in custom and habit, in gender and socio-economics. What we share is a belief that the education of our children is vital to their personal development today and to their place in the world tomorrow. Emerson’s Multicultural Committee sponsors speakers and programs that recognize and celebrate diversity. The Library, Art, and Music programs work together to develop activities that follow a multicultural theme that runs throughout the year. Emerson faculty attend professional development cultural immersions offered by the University of Michigan Musical Society, and selected middle school students take part in Diversity Workshops offered by the Association of Independent Michigan Schools.
36 percent of the Emerson community describe themselves as non-Caucasian.
Our families come to Emerson from 20 different towns/cities. Emerson's Grandfriends Day is the school's annual generation-spanning celebration of music, sharing and thanksgiving.
Community Service:
We believe that responsible engagement in the life of the school, in the local area, and in the world is a lesson worth teaching. More information on community service can be found on the Service Learning and on Emerson in the Community pages.
