New School founder Linda Zola to retire next month
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
The Nantucket New School began in 1985 with six children and two teachers, one of whom was the school's founder, Linda Zola, who secured use of Prenny and Patty Claflin's Polpis basement as a classroom she shared with teacher Connie Umberger.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent file Linda Zola started the New School in a basement on Polpis Road 23 years ago.

Over time, approximate grade levels were initiated, and as the student population grew and the faculty remained small, there were often two or three grades in one class until levels Pre-K to eight were established seven years ago. What started in a basement moved to The Old Spouter in 1988, then in 1990 to a building at 45 Surfside Road that accommodated its 25 students and, finally, in 2002 relocated to its new home on Nobadeer Farm Road where 130 children are educated.

Zola, who listened to the original six families who wanted more choice in how their children were taught, is retiring next month. While she is pleased with how the school has flourished over the past 23 years, she names others for its success.

"It's gotten bigger and better," said Zola. "Dave [Provost, Head of School] and the faculty deserve the credit. It is an exceptional faculty and Dave is an exceptional Head of School. I think the combination is what has made it so wonderful."

Zola, who on May 4 was given the Advocate for Children award by the Community Network for Children, will be honored again at 5 p.m. on June 5, Nantucket New School's graduation evening.

In a letter of invitation to the event sent to the students' families, Provost wrote, "She has worked and played a central role in the education of literally hundreds of students. The fact that she has remained steadfast and committed to her service to the school, even through changes in leadership and direction, has been and is a tremendous gift to all of us. I consider myself truly honored to have shared the last four years in the school with Linda, and I doubt quite seriously whether our collective success would have been possible without that presence, support and guidance."

Zola said she will maintain her involvement with the school library and reading with groups of children, classes and sometimes individual students. She also hopes to tutor within the broader island community, continue to teach at the Artists Association of Nantucket and teach art at The Children's House, as well as spend more time painting for her own pleasure.

"She has been the one constant throughout,"

Provost said of his gratitude for Zola. I