School House
Long Island, New York
The School House is a multi-methodology private school that unifies five evidence-based approaches into a single, vertically aligned curriculum where mixed-age learners build real skills—like starting companies and engaging in civic action—in an environment designed for how children actually learn.
About
The School House is a private Pre-K–7 model reimagining early and elementary education through a human-centered, research-aligned approach that restores curiosity, engagement, and meaningful learning. Its instructional system integrates Montessori, Reggio Emilia, project-based learning, Socratic dialogue, and traditional standards into a single, vertically and horizontally aligned curriculum developed over 14 years. Students learn in mixed-age classrooms guided by the American Emergent Curriculum—more than 6,000 pages of lessons and over 500 instructional videos that the school also licenses to others—creating a coherent, hands-on environment designed around how children actually learn.
Their Story
Founded in 2019 by Mimosa Jones Tunney, The School House emerged from her effort to design an elementary model based on pedagogical science rather than tradition. After careers on Capitol Hill and in writing, she developed the American Emergent Curriculum and built a multi-methodology model that aligns developmental stages, hands-on learning, and student autonomy. Her leadership established a school recognized for its ability to deliver strong academic and developmental outcomes through an integrated, evidence-driven approach.
Mimosa Jones Tunney
Founder & President
“We are the only elementary school in the nation that uses pedagogical evidence in a multi-methodology curriculum. We’ve combined Montessori, Reggio Emilia, project-based learning, and Socratic seminar with standards in a vertical and horizontal curriculum made for children.”
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Why they stand out
The School House stands out for offering the only fully integrated elementary curriculum that merges five proven methodologies into a coherent, research-aligned system. Mixed-age classrooms operate as structured learning communities where students work through hands-on materials, structured work cycles, and real-world tasks—including entrepreneurship, civics, art, design, and outdoor learning. Tools such as the augmented-reality sandbox, nature-based studies, and studio-based projects help students build mastery across subjects while reinforcing autonomy and collaboration. By combining the close-knit feel of a microschool with the breadth of a full private program, The School House provides a comprehensive learning environment grounded in how children truly learn and develop.
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How they STOP for education
The model is Transformational because it replaces traditional elementary structures with a research-aligned system that unifies five pedagogies, supports mixed-age mastery, and delivers strong academic and developmental outcomes grounded in hands-on, real-world learning.
What makes The School House Outstanding is that its students receive individualized, developmentally aligned instruction supported by hands-on materials, structured work cycles, art and design studios, nature-based learning, and classroom ecosystems where older and younger students learn together and apply knowledge in authentic tasks.
Built outside traditional public systems, The School House model is Permissionless, designing and implementing its own curriculum, assessment structures, classroom models, and digital learning platforms without relying on bureaucratic approval.
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Winning their award
Winning a STOP Award will support The School House in its efforts to expand into education-freedom states, strengthen its American Emergent Curriculum licensing program, and accelerate development of its AI-enabled School House Anywhere platform to reach more families nationwide.
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