Aerial View of Middlebridge School at Hazard Castle

When families first arrive at Middlebridge, they often remark that our campus feels different. Nestled in the heart of Narragansett, Rhode Island, a historic seaside town known for its rugged coastline, crisp ocean air, and vibrant outdoor culture, Middlebridge offers a setting that is as inspiring as it is restorative. Our location isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an integral part of how our students learn, connect, and grow.

Learning in a Place That Nurtures

Steeped in history, our campus grounds add another dimension to the Middlebridge experience. Hazard Castle, built in the 19th century by Joseph Peace Hazard, with its ivy-covered stonework and winding paths, serves as both a landmark and a gathering place for our community. Just beyond it lies our iconic beech tree grove, planted by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape designer responsible for New York City’s Central Park. This cathedral-like grove offers students a quiet space for reflection, conversation, and connection. Together, these historic elements make our campus feel both rooted and restorative, giving students a sense of place that is rare and deeply felt.

Our community sees daily how the environment affects emotional balance, confidence, and curiosity. Narragansett offers a sense of calm and spaciousness that students feel immediately—whether they’re walking the grounds of Hazard Castle or taking in the sea breeze during afternoon programming.

For many, the natural setting becomes the doorway to:

increased mindfulness
increased engagement
motivation to explore
meaningful connections with peers and faculty

Middlebridge students often tell us they “feel seen here”—something we credit just as much to the environment as to the program.

Joseph Peace Hazard’s summer home, Hazard Castle

A Campus Between Ocean, Farmland, and Universities

Middlebridge is uniquely positioned at the intersection of natural beauty and educational opportunity. We’re just minutes from:

Frederick Law Olmsted’s beech tree grove on campus

The Atlantic Ocean and Hazard Rock, where students experience quiet reflection, oceanography, photography, and outdoor science.
The University of Rhode Island, where our students access dual-enrollment courses and academic enrichment.
Community College of Rhode Island in Newport, where our students take college courses and build academic confidence.
Local farms and green spaces, which fuel our hands-on agriculture program.
Historic towns like Newport, Mystic, and Providence, offering unmatched cultural and experiential learning.

This dynamic blend gives our students access to a world that extends far beyond the classroom.

Hands-On Agriculture: Learning from the Land

Agriculture class taking advantage of the castle gardens

Our agriculture and garden program is one of the most joyful ways students experience our location firsthand. With rich soil, four true seasons, and space to grow, plant, and harvest, the Middlebridge gardens have become an essential part of our learning ecosystem.

Students help with:

planting garlic, carrots, potatoes, herbs, and seasonal flowers
harvesting produce
maintaining pollinator-friendly beds
learning soil science, sustainability, and horticulture

These moments of hands-on connection, digging into the earth, watching something grow, tasting something, they helped nurture, build confidence and cultivate life skills that go far beyond gardening.

Aerial view of the Middlebridge School campus

Farm-to-Table, MBS Style

One of the most cherished outcomes of our agriculture program is watching the harvest make its way into our dining hall. Our students love seeing their hard work become part of the MBS menu, from herbs tossed into roasted vegetables to potatoes harvested right on campus.

This farm-to-table connection teaches:

responsibility and follow-through
the value of sustainable living
pride in community contribution
the impact of their effort in real time

There is nothing quite like tasting food you helped grow—and our students feel that sense of accomplishment each season.

A Location That Shapes Belonging

Middlebridge’s location is so much more than our address. It’s a part of the MBS identity, one that supports our students academically, emotionally, socially, and creatively. Here, the ocean, the gardens, the community, and the rhythms of the seasons all work together to create an environment where students can truly Belong & Become.

Every day, our setting gives us the chance to slow down, breathe, explore, and learn. And every day, we see our students come alive because of it.