Engaging 21st Century Learners
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Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children
Miss Sugarman's School
for Extraordinary Children
617 Water Street, Gardiner, Maine
Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children provides engaging extended day, after-school programs, summer camps, and workshops for students ages 5-14 from every corner of Maine! Every child possesses unique gifts waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Our experienced educators create personalized learning experiences that meet each student exactly where they are—whether they benefit from additional academic support, thrive with grade-level instruction, or require accelerated learning opportunities. At Miss Sugarman's, learning differences aren't obstacles but growth opportunities. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child develops confidence in their unique abilities and discovers their extraordinary potential. Because here, we don't just embrace diversity in learning—we celebrate it as the foundation of true educational excellence. ​
We hold a State of Maine Childcare License!
Why extraordinary?
Extraordinary (Collin's Dictionary): ADJECTIVE: If you describe something or someone as extraordinary, you mean they have some extremely good or special quality.
Every child is extraordinary and has their own special quality! At Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children, your children's STRENGTHS are paramount, while their perceived weaknesses are supported! Bringing children together to form a community of like-minded peers while experiencing fun academic and arts enrichment is what we do! Imagine how empowered and invigorated your child will feel when they learn at their own pace and ability level! All offerings embed current educational pedagogy proven to engage 21st-century learners.
All of our staff are background checked and CPR First Aid Certified!
"I’ve never met an educator as capable of capitalizing on students’ strengths as Ms. Sugarman.
She has a keen ability to assess students’ skills, connect personally with them and invite them into learning projects.
Frankly, it is the kind of educator that I would aspire to hire across the program—one who does not perceive
subjects in silos but helps students connect with learning across disciplines."
Bridget Mullen
Employer, Bowdoin Upward Bound
Mission
Our mission is to invigorate children's minds through engagement in interdisciplinary academic and arts enrichment, developing individual talents, practicing applicable creative problem-solving skills, exposure to global sustainability goals, access to STEAM and PBL learning activities, social and emotional growth, and community-building.
Vision
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children envisions a world where youth have equal access to learning experiences that embrace their intrinsic needs, allow them to follow their instinct to explore the world around them, learn at their own pace, help them envision a global community, and embed their interests with concepts applicable to their everyday lives.
Curriculum
Children’s interests, strengths, and areas for growth will shape what we decide to explore academically and socially. Developing these new skills will strengthen their foundation for learning fostered in the home and brick-and-mortar school environment.
Our services
Early release extended day program,
Wednesdays and Thursdays 12-5:30 pm
The extended day program will serve 24 children ages five through fourteen. Participants will dive deeper into core content through interdisciplinary lessons, inquiry-based learning, gamified learning, and hands-on learning activities. We will focus on identifying and developing specific interests, talents, creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and community and social skill support. Children will have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively as a group. Students will often have polished work to share with families.
Afterschool Enrichment Program, Monday through Friday, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
The afterschool program will serve 24 children ages five through fourteen. Participants will dive deeper into core academic content through interdisciplinary lessons, inquiry-based learning, gamified learning, and hands-on learning activities. We will focus on identifying and developing specific interests, talents, creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and community and social skill support. Children will have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively as a group.
2025 Vacation and Summer Camps
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children’s camps will offer academic and arts enrichment to 12-24 children aged five through fourteen. There will be five one-week sessions each summer, Monday through Friday. Participants will embark on specific learning journeys involving various educational missions, creative and problem-solving challenges, maker space tinkering, gamified learning, STEAM challenges, and hands-on learning activities. Children will have time for physical activity, motor breaks, rest, socializing, and meals.
Academic and Arts Workshops
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children’s workshops will offer academic and arts enrichment to 24 children aged five through fourteen. Workshops will fall on school workshop days and at the beginning and end of the summer (depending on staff development and snow days). Participants will embark on specific learning journeys involving various educational missions, creative and problem-solving challenges, maker space tinkering, gamified learning, STEAM challenges, and hands-on learning activities. Children will have time for physical activity, motor breaks, rest, socializing, and meals.
Academic Enrichment
Arts Enrichment
Social Development
Co-curricular Activities
Our academic enrichment is designed to challenge and engage bright and gifted learners. We offer a range of learning opportunities in subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Arts enrichment will allow students to explore and develop their creativity in various visual and performing arts forms including music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Arts enrichment will be integrated with academic learning.
We believe in fostering a sense of community and belonging among our students. Through various social development activities, we encourage our students to form meaningful connections with like-minded peers.
We offer a range of co-curricular activities to complement our academic and arts enrichment program. These activities include debate, game design, coding, robotics, low impact sports, and mindfulness.
