Progressive Roots

Progressive education is experiential, active learning that honors the developmental ages and stages of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Students at Lowell take an active part in their learning and develop the initiative and self-direction that will prove vital no matter where the future takes them.

Although progressive education enjoys a long and rich history, its principles are more relevant than ever in preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. A progressive approach emphasizes skill-building, multi-disciplinary knowledge, collaborative effort, and deep conceptual understanding—all things that individuals need to make a difference in the world.

In addition to nurturing these abilities with a hands-on, student-centered approach, a central aim of progressive education is to develop informed, critically-minded citizens who will become active participants in a democratic society. At Lowell, we cultivate a learning environment that develops awareness of topics and issues that affect daily lives and how society functions. Students soon recognize that they and their peers are part of many communities, and we encourage them to apply their knowledge and skills to serve the greater good.