AVONDALE — After a successful first year, a Roscoe Village private school is relocating to Avondale to accommodate its blossoming student population.
Greenfields Academy will move to Avondale in the fall, relocating one mile west from its previous location, 1933 W. Belmont Ave. The school, which expects to enroll 50 students for 2015-16, is moving to 3232 N. Elston Ave., across the street from Brands Park.
"We are excited to be a part of this vibrant community and to take advantage of the beautiful park and field house, which includes a gymnasium and a wood shop," said founder and head Rob Huge.
The new building will undergo renovations over the summer, but the end result will be anything but a traditional school. Huge said the school plans to create "some cozy, quiet learning and meeting spaces" and enhance natural lighting with skylights.
Greenfields prides itself on a nontraditional approach to education, with a student-driven curriculum in mixed age groups. Educators focus on Montessori and Socratic teaching models, with apprenticeships and — as students will be thrilled to hear — no homework or grades.
After opening last year for students up to 10 years old, the school will expand to include children 4-14 years old in the fall, with plans to further include students up to 18 years old by 2016.
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