For Bedford native Sarah Stone, education isn’t just a career. It’s a calling deeply woven into her life and community. As the Director and Co-founder of Gage Farm Schoolhouse, Sarah has turned a lifelong dream into reality, creating a place where children can learn, explore, and grow surrounded by nature. With more than 15 years of teaching experience and a heartfelt connection to Bedford, Sarah’s story comes full circle. She once attended preschool at the very location she now leads. Today, she’s raising her own family here in Bedford and inspiring the next generation of young learners. Learn more about Sarah and Gage Farm Schoolhouse below!
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! My name is Sarah Stone and I live in Bedford with my husband, Aaron, and our two sons, Andrew, who is in 5th grade at McKelvie and Blake, who is in 4th grade at Peter Woodbury. I was born and raised in Bedford and feel blessed to now raise my own family here and give back to the community that I have cherished for the past forty+ years. I enjoy staying involved with Bedford sports, spending time at Lake Sunapee, and being with my family and friends. I am the Director and Co-founder of Gage Farm Schoolhouse, which is a private Preschool and Kindergarten. In addition, we offer Theater and Tutoring programs for children ages 3-10 as well as Stone Brook Summer Camp for children ages 4-12. We are located on Wallace Road in Goffstown NH, which is five minutes from the Wallace Road and New Boston Road intersection in Bedford.
Can you tell us the story behind Gage Farm Schoolhouse? How did it begin?
I studied education at Denison University and received my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from UNH. I started my career as a Student Teacher at Riddle Brook Elementary School in Bedford and my first teaching job was through the Manchester School District, where I taught Kindergarten and First Grade for 15 years. Starting my own school was always a dream of mine but never thought it would become my reality.
That was until one day, my parents, David and Nancy Robator, proposed a business idea. They, being entrepreneurs themselves, who value small family owned businesses, came to me with the opportunity to purchase 215 Wallace Road in Goffstown. This property was the original location of New Morning School from the 1970s through 2006 before being converted to a residential property. I even attended New Morning School as a Preschooler at that very location in the 1980s!! It has remained a special place for me, and my parents as well, so I jumped at the opportunity to convert this location back to a school! Gage Farm Schoolhouse was born!
Our vision at Gage Farm Schoolhouse is simple: To create an environment where our young students learn both in a classroom setting and outside on our beautiful 15 acre property.
Our classrooms are filled with a rich curriculum, hands-on center-based learning, and dramatic play areas. Students learn what it means to be part of a school family, and to follow routines and classroom expectations which are invaluable tools they’ll need as they prepare for elementary school and beyond. We are unique that we can compliment the classroom curriculum with our outdoor learning and exploration programs that allow our students to engage in activities in areas including nature trails that lead down to a brook, a student inspired outdoor classroom, an outdoor arena for gross motor activities/games, raised garden beds, a sledding hill, and playground. For most of our students, Gage Farm Schoolhouse will be the first stop on their educational journeys and our goal is to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where we spark natural curiosity within our students and plant the seed of a lifelong love of learning into every one of our “Gage Farmers”.
I feel beyond blessed to have had this opportunity to start Gage Farm Schoolhouse and to be surrounded by my very talented team of educators. They go above and beyond for our Gage Farm families and we wouldn’t be where we are today without all of them!
What are Some Things People May Not Know about Gage Farm Schoolhouse?
- Our vision for the next five years is to continue to build up our outdoor space by adding a sound garden, reading hills, climbing walls, as well as more classroom space to help provide our community with more positive opportunities for quality childcare.
- We offer aftercare transportation from Riddle Brook School in Bedford (new 2025).
- We are proud to offer many options for before school and aftercare.
- We have many special events throughout the year including Family Fun Nights, Summer Fest, Under the Stars Nights, Improv nights with Queen City Improv group, and Parents Night Out.
- Tutoring is available year round for preschool through elementary school.
- Our Theater program has a fall and spring session for Preschoolers through Elementary School.
- At Stone Brook Summer Camp we offer fun, themed weeks for campers age 4-12 years old. We offer a 5 day, 3 day or 2 day per week schedule with extended hours options to meet everyone’s needs.
How can people connect with you and follow Gage Farm Schoolhouse?
If you haven’t already, please connect with us by visiting our website at gagefarmschoolhouse.com, following us on Facebook and/or Instagram or by emailing me at info@gagefarmschoolhouse.com. We look forward to hearing from you!