Charlotte Mason New England
We are a network of faith-based educators using Charlotte Mason's principles of education in our homes, families, and co-ops.
We closely follow the principles of timeless, literature-based education outlined in Charlotte Mason's book Toward a Philosophy of Education.
We exist to provide fellowship for Christian Charlotte Mason teachers, schools, and co-ops in New England.
About Us
We are an intergenerational group of homeschool mothers who apply Charlotte Mason's principles in our home schools and co-ops.
We originally bonded over our love of Charlotte Mason's methods for a literature-based, whole-person education. As time went on, we realized there was a need for greater connection and mentorship for CM educators in the New England area.
In 2024, we put on our first Spring Conference, Meet Charlotte Mason, and were surprised and delighted to connect with so many women interested in using Charlotte Mason's methods in their home schools. After the conference, we kept in touch with with many of these new friends. Eventually we were convinced of the need for a support structure for mentorship, fellowship, and further study of Mason's methods.
So we founded Charlotte Mason New England, a faith-based Charlotte Mason collaborative that helps CM educators find one another and provides regular opportunities to connect.
A Whole-Person Education
We believe, with Charlotte Mason, that children are born with minds that are fully ready to encounter all that is fit for them. We also believe that children are, like us, embodied souls from the very beginning, so they should be nourished on the best and most beautiful things that the world has to offer. We throw our students into the "deep" end, immersing them into high art, high music, and the highest-quality literature we can find from the getgo.
Faith-Based Collaborative
We are unapologetically a faith-based organization. Though some have tried, it is impossible to separate Charlotte Mason's methods from her deep faith in God. Her respect and love for children was developed and deepened by years of studying the Bible, and this is explicitly clear from her writings. Further, the CMNE Advisory members unapologetically believe that Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world, and as recipients of God's radical love and mercy, we continually strive to change the way we think and act as we learn more about God through his word. In our meetings, faith will just be a natural part of what we talk about.
Mother to Mother
We believe the need for in-person friendship and mentorship runs deeply in all of us. While there are many ways to learn and connect online, we find that in-person, intergenerational friendships do something for the soul that the internet cannot. Being able to sit with a friend, drink a cup of tea, brainstorm about education, and ask practical questions can be one of the most helpful ways to learn and develop new ideas. For this reason, we require our members to attend our semi-annual meetings in-person. We also encourage conference attendance and communication through our Discord server throughout the year.