The Grove School celebrates 25 years with special event at Footlighters Theatre

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Grove School in Redlands is marking its 25th anniversary with a unique celebration that ties its history, curriculum, and community partnerships together.

Raven Night at the historic Footlighters Theatre offers a chance for Grove School students, staff, and families to enjoy a production based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, including his famous poem, "The Raven."

The original production, "Nevermore: The Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe," holds special significance, as the raven is also the school’s mascot. The show, which opens Oct. 11, brings the iconic author into his own haunting stories, adapted and directed by Katharine Buffy Henshaw.

Expanding community partnerships: Raven Night at the Footlighters on Oct. 24 is part of a larger effort by The Grove School to integrate with the local community, as emphasized by Dr. Michelle Sweezey, the Head of School. "We always strive to connect with the community, and our collaboration with Footlighters Theatre is a perfect example," Sweezey said. "We rented out the theater for the night and invited our families to enjoy the show. It’s also a great way to raise funds for our theater program, which usually relies on our own fall production."

This event marks a new chapter in The Grove School’s relationship with the local theater group, which Sweezey hopes will lead to longer-term collaborations. "We’re excited about exploring future projects, especially in support of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, where we aim to offer theater as a formal pathway. Having Footlighters so close by allows our students to learn directly from professionals in the field."

The Grove School, founded in 1998, offers a Montessori education to students in grades 7 through 12, one of the few Montessori high schools in the country. Its Montessori framework emphasizes student-led inquiry and hands-on learning, a philosophy reflected in its unique farm campus. The school's farm, acquired in 2002, is an integral part of the students' education, offering experiences in environmental care and even farm animal management.

Dr. Sweezey, who has been with the school since June, highlighted the school's commitment to expanding its CTE offerings, with plans to add business and entrepreneurship coursework in the coming years. However, she emphasized the importance of building these programs "strategically and sustainably."

Sweezy says students thrive on a variety of paths after high school, including Ivy Leagues and state colleges, owning businesses and pursuing technical degrees. The owners of two local businesses, Parliament Chocolate and A La Minute Ice Cream, are Grove graduates.

The anniversary celebration is also a chance for the school to showcase its growth and future plans. Sweezey noted that the school is working toward consolidating its split-campus setup and exploring ways to expand its facilities. However, efforts to grow are currently hampered by complex regulations under the Surplus Land Act, which limits the school's ability to fully utilize its farm property.

"Though there are challenges, we’re optimistic about the future and eager to continue providing a unique and enriching experience for our students," Sweezey said.

The Grove School, with its deep community roots and commitment to innovative education, remains a pillar of Redlands’ educational landscape. As Sweezey concluded, “We look forward to growing alongside our community in the years to come.”

The Raven Night event for the Grove community offers a rare opportunity to celebrate the school’s past while also looking forward to the next 25 years.

Community members interested in seeing the Footlighters Theatre production on other nights can attend shows open to the public.

Poe’s darkest tales come to life at Footlighters in October

“Nevermore: The Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe” brings the iconic author into his own haunting stories, adapted and directed by Katharine Buffy Henshaw. The original production opens October 11, promising an immersive theatrical journey just in time for Halloween.

Community Forward RedlandsContributor