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Co-founded by Diane Goudie and Eleanor Moore, The Linden School opened its doors
to 37 students in 1993. This courageous move was long
overdue. Despite considerable research and theory about girls, their learning
styles and development, no school had attempted to put theory into practice. Even
proponents of the girl-centred movement worried that a stand-alone school designed
as an environment in which girls learn in the most effective way possible would
involve so many administrative, financial and political obstacles that its founders
would be constantly bogged down by administrivia. Today,
The Linden School -- with over 130 students -- is testimony to Diane and Eleanor's
determination that this would not happen.
The Linden School, a non-profit charitable
institution, is a unique combination of the research, experience
and passion of its founders. Understanding Linden requires
understanding its cofounders and what they set out to accomplish.
After decades in both the public and private school systems,
including stints as teachers and administrators at an established
private girls' school, both grew concerned that these schools
were not meeting the needs of today's young women, and that
they were modeled to reflect 19th century British boys schools.
When the two women met with resistance to their ideas, they
decided that it was time to start a school of their own.
Never ones to rush into anything, Diane
and Eleanor spent a year conducting research. They visited
The Emma Willard School and Wellesley College and interviewed
U.S. academics at the forefront of the girl-centred movement.The
Emma Willard School, founded in the 1820s, was the locus for
Harvard psychologist Carol Gilligan's ground-breaking Dodge
Study which became the basis for a book, Making Connections,
text which has been instrumental in shaping the modern girl-centred
education movement. Next they spent time with Peggy MacIntosh,
head of Wellesley College's Centre for Research on Women,
and solicited her views on their plan to open a school entirely
devoted to the learning needs of girls.
Back
in Toronto, Diane and Eleanor found key supporters who were willing to put fear
aside and help make this dream come true. However, ultimately, Linden would not
exist without the generous and unflagging support of philanthropist and activist,
Senator Nancy Ruth.
Linden started life in September, 1993,
with grades four to eight at 10 Rosehill Avenue, a gracious
old house-turned-school tucked behind a tiny courtyard near
the corner of St. Clair and Yonge. In 2001, Linden purchased
the building that houses the school. This purchase cleared the
way for more renovations and repairs, including an overhaul
of the front gardens and greening of the roof-top playground,
as well as a major reorganization of internal space to accommodate
Linden's primary school.
In 2007, Diane and Eleanor were recognized for their groundbreaking work in girls' education with an Honourary Doctorate from York University. This was also a landmark year for Linden as the school celebrated its fifteenth birthday and new leadership. |
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