On Friday, Sept. 6, drivers passing along Biscayne Boulevard near NE 6th St. might have been unaware of the excitement hidden among the homes and greenery. There, The Cushman School was not only marking the dawn of a new century, but also celebrating with an extraordinary pep rally that brought the community together.
Children, staff, alumni, and parents gathered at the school’s Play to Learn Center, a versatile facility for events that opened last year. Dr. Arvi Balseiro, the head of school, began the ceremony with an inspiring speech centered on perseverance and community. Holding a wooden acorn as a symbol of potential and growth, Balseiro set the tone for a celebration that honored the school’s rich heritage and bright future.
Balseiro emphasized that fostering a positive spirit is a deliberate and essential part of the school's philosophy.
“It is a happy attitude. That's the first aim. Joy is intentional,” she proudly exclaimed. “It was by design, and Dr. Cushman states that as the most important thing in her philosophy, a ‘be happy’ attitude. We take that seriously,” Balseiro said.
(Paloma Pimentel)
Pep rally image of Cushman School founder Dr. Laura Cushman, former head Dr. Joan Lutton, and current head Dr. Arvi Balseiro.
The school’s history was projected onto a big screen with black and white pictures of students from the 1920s practicing the same traditions that contemporary students cherish today. Alumni played wacky games and children were delighted to learn nostalgic dance moves from decades past. The air buzzed with joy and excitement, as star-shaped confetti rained down, capturing the spirit of celebration that united generations in a shared sense of pride and tradition.
HISTORY
Confronted with educational challenges similar to those today, Dr. Laura Cushman was driven to open her school in 1924, beginning on the modest setting of her front porch.
Cushman started her career as a public school teacher in Iowa, where cuts to kindergarten programs conflicted with her strong beliefs about early childhood development. She believed that a solid educational foundation must start early, sparking her determination to create a school that nurtured young learners from the very beginning. Her passion led to the creation of an ideal learning environment, one that prioritized early development as the cornerstone of lifelong success.
The Cushman School began in a single building and expanded by converting nearby homes into classrooms. In 2008, it built a middle school on newly acquired land, and by 2016, opened a high school on Biscayne Boulevard, marking a major step in its growth.
(Paloma Pimentel)
▶ Community members brought a vintage 1924 Buick vehicle as a symbol of The Cushman School's start.
Around the time of the school’s inception, Cushman associated herself with expert minds such as Maria Montessori, the creator of the Montessori method of education, and developed a progressive curriculum for her school.
According to Sheri Rentzepis, The Cushman School’s director of admissions, the school incorporated some of the same elements, such as mixed-age play and fostering a sense of responsibility among students. Older students also mentor younger ones, guiding them in good conduct and community values in the classroom.
EDUCATIONAL MISSION
Cushman’s mission was to create a joyful, inclusive learning environment that shapes children into engaged, positive members of society. The school focuses on teaching children to be kind, courteous, empathetic, and industrious, which are seen as conducive to both academic success and personal growth.
Rentzepis explained how this philosophy is put into practice with programs like Society and Me, that teach students about community contribution. Over four years, high schoolers identify local issues, and by their senior year, they work with experts and leaders to develop real-world solutions.
(Shannon Zalman )
Young children pumped with joy over the pep rally.
Balseiro highlighted how the advancement of technology in the classroom helps teachers understand each child’s learning style so they can offer a personalized curriculum that helps them succeed. The school was one of the early adopters of the “anytime, anywhere” learning approach that started a laptop program for upper-grade students 27 years ago.
“We continue to integrate new technologies, including AI, and use various software for curriculum design and student learning, always considering developmental research on how children learn,” said Balseiro. “Our school blends high-tech tools with hands-on, developmental approaches, carefully selecting technologies to fit our needs.”
RECRUITMENT
Rentzepis highlights the school's selective recruitment process as essential to preserving the vibrant culture and core philosophy of a character-driven education.
Cushman’s largest intake of new families each year is welcoming 45 new pre-K3 students who must be 3 years old by Sept. 1. After that, admissions stay steady as students progress through the early grades. They also accept a slight increase in admissions for sixth grade and see another increase from eighth to ninth grade for high school.
Rentzepis takes a thoughtful approach to understanding parents' needs and ensuring they align with the school’s core values. Instead of testing young applicants, many of whom may not yet speak fluent English, the school focuses on observing good character, parental involvement in the child's development, and their willingness to engage in school activities.
She emphasizes that a parent’s commitment to being actively involved in their child’s early development is crucial for acceptance into the school.
“There was a mother who was also a photographer, and she came into the class, took a portrait of each child’s head, and then we painted them Andy Warhol style,” she said. “Another mother, right after that, loved to make quilts, so she came in with her sewing machine and fabric and, with the children, created a giant Andy Warhol-style quilt featuring the whole class.”
While Cushman has high aspirations, Rentzepis acknowledges that it may not be the right fit for every family.
“We're not that tucked-in school. We're not wearing ties,” she says, “We focus on learning through play, exploring objects, showing empathy, and being kind to others. The little ones are looking for ladybugs or chasing lizards, they're getting painted, they've got chalk on their hands. A good day is a dirty day.”