About our School
Our School
The E. Ethel Little School, located on Barberry Road in North Reading, has been serving the community since 1958. Designed as a single-story, barrier-free building, the school provides an accessible and welcoming environment for all learners. Our campus includes a courtyard, playground, and ball fields shared with the town’s recreation department.
Growth and Expansion
Over the years, Little School has grown to meet the needs of North Reading’s students. A major addition in 1970 brought a library, gymnasium, and additional classrooms. In 1997, a community-supported renovation and expansion added new kindergarten rooms, a larger library, dedicated art and music spaces, and specialized instructional areas. Modular classrooms were later added in 2002 to provide additional learning space, including a preschool and occupational therapy room.
Who Was E. Ethel Little?
Our school is named after E. Ethel (Fairbanks) Little (1882–1960), a lifelong North Reading resident and dedicated community leader. Mrs. Little served on the School Committee for 21 years and was active in many civic organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and local community clubs. She was also known for her poetry, which often celebrated town events and notable residents. In recognition of her commitment to education and service, the town named its new elementary school in her honor in 1958.
Recognition and Achievement
The Little School community takes great pride in its tradition of academic excellence:
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2018: Recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School of Recognition for High Achievement.
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2019: Honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, one of only six schools in Massachusetts to receive this distinction.
Today
Today, the E. Ethel Little School continues to provide a nurturing, engaging, and academically strong learning environment for students. With a dedicated faculty and staff, supportive families, and an active community, the Little School is proud of its history and committed to preparing students for future success.