Circle Preschool opened February 14, 1966. Our mission was "To develop new techniques and materials for furthering the intellectual and emotional growth of children.”  The curriculum was inspired by the work of Maria Montessori, (much out of favor at that time) and based on research showing that the child's experiences (or lack of them) actually create the structure of the growing brain.

The original name, Alpha Plus Nursery School, seemed not to convey the intended image.  We thought of it as just  suggesting an enriched beginning.  On the practical side, the name would be high up in the phone book listing.  However, we soon discovered the name was misleading. Parents (or perhaps proud grandparents?) ask, "How smart do they have to be to get in?"  Some asked if the school was for "special" children.  One woman insisted on speaking to "Miss Plus" herself.  So we decided to change the name of the school to something more IQ-neutral.  The name of the non-profit corporation remained Alpha Plus, but the school became Circle Preschool.  (On the practical side, classified ads were cheaper by the cost of two words in the heading.)

The first site of Circle Preschool was in the Sunday School Cottage of the Plymouth Church, corner of Lake and Oakland Avenues in Piedmont.   The Plymouth Church itself and most of its other properties are in Oakland, but the Cottage was in Piedmont.   Although we didn't realize it at the time, this location would have enormous significance for Circle's future and eventually for its closing in 2002.

NEXT:  Civil Rights, Civil Disobedience, CO’s, Head Start, and George, Terrell and Krissy.