Stevens Cooperative Education

Stevens is the oldest Cooperative school in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States.

Our community is built on a simple, but powerful idea: Deep family engagement leads to high student achievement. Your family, your child and the school all benefit from a strong partnership between home and school.

The Cooperative at Stevens is a collective endeavor in the service of our students. We know from experience that students thrive when we are deeply engaged in partnership with our families, and our model helps that partnership reach new heights.

The Cooperative model is deeply rooted in our history. Stevens was founded by parents who approached education together, understanding that everyone has a role to play. Read on to see what that model looks like today.

How Cooperative members contribute

Everyone has a role to play

Every family at Stevens chooses a Cooperative job. The job can change from year to year. And it can be a long-term commitment (serving on the Board of Trustees) or a short-term engagement (working the snack table at Movie Night). The point is that it gets you engaged with the school on your terms, in a way that plays to (or expands!) your interests. All Cooperative jobs make an impact — on you, on our students and on our school.

Everyone has a voice

Our families serve as stewards of our school. Each family elects Board members, votes on amendments to the school’s bylaws, and may serve on committees that work with senior administrators on major aspects of the school. The Cooperative represents shared stewardship of the school’s future. By casting votes and sharing your experience, you’re helping to make Stevens better, now and in the future.

Everyone is welcome

One of our most beloved traditions is Helping Parent/Guardian Day, when we invite a family member to experience and participate in a day in their child’s classroom. Family members might read a book or bring a special snack from home, give a presentation on their family’s favorite activity or a place you’ve visited together, or simply observe the class in action. It’s an affirmation that we all belong here — our stories, our experiences and our families.

Ask a Cooperative member: David Chang P '28

What do you enjoy most about your Cooperative job?

How does your Cooperative job help you feel more connected to the school and your student’s experience?

In a few ways. First, my job allows me to feel like part of a community of parents and educators instead of just an outsider looking in. Second, knowing that each parent has a Cooperative job assures me that we’re all in this together— we all want the best for the school. And third, I’m modeling engagement for my daughter. She gets to see what active participation in a community looks like.

Toggle Menu Close Container

Mobile Search

Mobile Utility

Mobile Main Nav

Header Holder

Header Logo

Header Right Column

Header Utility Nav

Search

Main Nav

Toggle Menu - container

In this Section...

Horizontal Nav

Breadcrumb