Our Founding Mission

The Branch School was founded in 1977 by Helen Shaner Hankins in the Christian Science tradition—a faith that teaches us not to proselytize, but instead to welcome all with love and respect for their existing beliefs and traditions. Today, Branch educators continue to view each child through a divine lens, as unlimited beings who can learn more, go farther, and become braver, more resilient, and more ethical every day.

Originally established for preschool children, the school has grown through the years to include kindergarten to eighth-grade students. Our strong academic program emphasizes project-based learning and critical-thinking skills and our school atmosphere is differentiated by its nurturing environment, where peacemaking and leadership capacities take root and the natural world is respected as a place of learning through our Outdoor Classroom.

The Branch School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, fully accredited private school, governed by a Board of Trustees.