A Charlotte Mason School practicing The Gentle Art of Learning

For Positive and Creative Students in Grades 1 - 8

June 14, 2025

Dear Plumfield Academy Friends,

The Board of Plumfield Academy, have engaged in deep, honest, and heartfelt conversations about the school’s future. We are writing now with difficult news, the result of prayerful deliberation and our best efforts to discern a way forward.

 

After much consideration, the Board has made the decision to stop operating with students effective immediately. This decision was not made lightly.  We’ve been wrestling with fundamental questions: Can we responsibly continue? Do we have the enrollment, the resources, and the energy needed to sustain the mission of Plumfield for another year? 

 

There are three key pillars that have always guided us: our commitment to pastoral care, to a Charlotte Mason education, and to a sound, sustainable business model. Our enrollment for the upcoming year stands at 13, a significant and unexpected downturn that occurred at the end of May. Despite the gratitude and support expressed by families, it became clear that the board and current leadership cannot ensure sustainability, nor can we expect John to continue to hold the primary responsibility of leading so many aspects of the school moving forward.

 

Some families stepped up with willingness to write reviews, offer coordination support, and contribute financially. These generous gestures moved us deeply. Still, we are also mindful of the burden that exists on a small group of individuals (staff and board members) and the toll it is taking. We have considered the potential of gaining a few more students. We’ve talked about various scenarios, including combining age groups, working in partnership with homeschooling families, and reorganizing staff responsibilities. Ultimately, the board came to an agreement to not operate with students for the 2025-2026 school year. 

 

We offer our deepest gratitude to John and Nina Pension, whose unwavering dedication, vision, and care have shaped Plumfield for over 30 years. 

 

We are grateful to each of you for your trust and your faith in Plumfield. Many of you expressed what this place has meant to your family—your words were not lost on us. You reminded us why Plumfield started and why it has lasted so long. 

 

For now, we honor what was built together, and we close this chapter with tears, yes, but also with profound gratitude.


The Plumfield Academy Board of Trustees

Steve Dalton, Alumnus Parent, Christine Deloury, Alumnus Parent, Denise Gluckert, Alumnus Parent, Christopher Griebel, Alumnus, Mary Beth Katzounos, Alumna Parent, John Kwiatek, Community Representative, Matthew Mahoney, Alumnus, Jay Pension, Alumnus, Nina Pension, Alumnus Parent, John Pension, Alumnus Parent, Ruth Pension, Community Representative

Is Plumfield Right For Your Family?

Partnership with Families

As a Charlotte Mason school, Plumfield Academy seeks to work in partnership with families who share a common vision of education.
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Content Rich Education

Plumfield is for parents who want a challenging, stimulating, and content rich education for their children without the stress, anxiety, and pressure so often seen in present day academics.
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For the Children's Sake

Plumfield is for parents who enjoy their children and want them to experience an unhurried childhood while at the same time being carefully guided onto the path of wisdom and maturity.
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A Day At Plumfield

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Founded in 1993, Plumfield Academy, situated in a wooded setting in Danvers, Massachusetts, offers an intimate learning environment for positive and creative students in grades one through eight. Fill out the form below for a private tour.

 

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(978) 304-0273

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Happy Parents & Students.
True Testimonials.

My son’s self confidence and academic motivation are soaring, along with his capacity to empathize with other people – all this in the context of an inspiring curriculum, steeped in our rich literary and historical heritage.

Cyndi W., Plumfield parent

Plumfield is where I found my voice to express my thoughts freely and confidently

Micaela, Sophomore at Dean College

I wanted to drop a note to say that (our son) is doing very well at St. Johns Prep – academically he’s at the top of all the classes, and he seems to have made the shift to a very different system rapidly (he sits there and does homework for several hours every night). I’m kind of amazed. I think he misses the unique environment of Plumfield, but he’s doing fine – you all prepared him very well. Wishing you both a very merry Christmas!

Michael L., Former Plumfield parent

Plumfield is a hardworking place. We build projects for science, create displays for the Topsfield Fair, and build machines as a challenge to learn about physics.

Alec, 14

After we read a chapter, we usually write a narration. By writing it out on paper in our own words, we remember it and get a better understanding than if we only read it. Because I work for the satisfaction of success and learning, I do as much as I can.

Abbie, 12

When I first came to Plumfield, my least favorite subject was math. I was not good at it at all. I felt as though I was the only one who didn’t understand, but then I saw that other people also struggled with some parts of math. With practice, I am now at high speed in my math.

Aria, 10

Everyone has points to make, facts to tell, and questions to ask . . . if you are having a hard time, someone will help you. It’s inspiring to know that everyone cares about your education and wants to make it better.

Gunnar, 13

At Plumfield, students have time outside. We go sledding in the winter; in nice weather, we build forts. Because we have time outdoors, we’re not bored and are able to focus when it is time to study.

Quinn, 13

The Charlotte Mason method introduced me to great works of literature . . . through the process of writing narrations, I learned to be a great reader and built my confidence as a student.

Matt, Sophomore at Boston College

Contact Info

Address

123 Dayton Street
Danvers, Massachusetts 01923

Hours

Mon - Fri ………… 8:30am – 2:30pm
Saturday, Sunday ……… Closed

Call us

(978) 304-0273

Email

info@plumfieldacademy.org
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Plumfield Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Plumfield Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.