About Stone School

Our Mission

Stone School Cooperative Preschool exists to nurture the whole child — socially, emotionally, and cognitively — through joyful, play-based learning in a warm and inclusive environment. As a nonprofit cooperative serving children ages 33 months to 6 years old, we believe families are essential partners in education, not just observers of it. By welcoming parents and guardians into the classroom, we build an affordable, accessible program rooted in genuine community. For over 65 years, we've helped children grow into confident, independent learners while forging friendships and connections among families that last well beyond their years at Stone School.

About Stone School

Stone School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that has been a cornerstone of the Ann Arbor community since 1959. We are one of the area’s longest-running early childhood programs, utilizing a mixed-age classroom model that brings children together at different stages of development to encourage peer learning, empathy, and independence. We offer flexible scheduling options designed to fit the varied needs of modern families.

How We Learn

We believe that play is the real goal of childhood. Our curriculum is rooted in play-based learning, where children build social, emotional, and cognitive skills through exploration, creativity, and hands-on discovery. Our experienced teachers help guide each child’s natural curiosity through different types of play, while incorporating age-appropriate academic curriculum to help prepare children for Kindergarten/Young 5’s and First Grade.

About Our Cooperative Preschool Model

A cooperative preschool is a school run with families, not just for them. Rather than dropping children off and stepping back, parents and guardians at a co-op take an active role in the classroom and the life of the school — assisting teachers, helping with activities, and pitching in on the day-to-day tasks that keep the program running. This hands-on involvement isn't just a nice-to-have; it's what makes the model work.

By sharing the responsibilities of running the school, families help keep tuition affordable and the program accessible, while also gaining a front-row seat to their child's early learning and development. There's no single "right" way to be involved, just a shared commitment to making the school work for everyone.

Our cooperative family requirements each year include:

• Participating in one outdoor and one indoor weekend clean-up with other families

• Attending two all school general meetings

• Holding a school job for half of the year

Life is busy, and we know a hands-on classroom commitment doesn't fit into every family's schedule. So classroom assistance isn't required — no guilt, no pressure, no strings attached.

That said, if you ever have the time and want to spend a morning finger-painting, reading stories, or just soaking up your kid's classroom world, we'd love to have you. It's one of the best parts of the cooperative experience — our teachers welcome the extra hands, and the kids think it's the best thing ever when a parent shows up!

A look at Our Day

While no two days are exactly alike — children's interests, weather, and the season all shape what unfolds — our daily rhythm gives families a sense of what to expect. We balance structure with flexibility, so activities and timing may shift a bit day to day, but the schedule below is a representative example of how a typical day flows at Stone School.

Learn more about our daily Curriculum here!

Example Daily Schedule: