Our History

How We Started

Open Door School was founded by Sue Spayth Riley, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte, a revolutionary educator,  author of the book “How to Generate Values in Young Children” and numerous educational articles.

Back in the 1960’s, Sue  Riley dreamed big. She saw the need for a truly inclusive school- a school that celebrated diversity for all. She didn’t stop working, planning, and most of all teaching, until her dream became a reality and Charlotte’s first integrated kindergarten was born (1966). The community responded. Over the years Open Door School grew and changed its composition adding preschool classes, creating a parent co-op for the two-year old children, and establishing a Full-Day program to meet the changing needs of the community.

Open Door School follows its own curriculum guide, Pathways to Learning.  Sue’s pioneering ideas, backed by well known educational theorists J. Dewey, E. Erickson and J. Piaget, have stood the test of time. What was then revolutionary is now an expected part of early childhood education. Sue’s philosophy on learning through discovery and modeling respect for even the youngest child have proven successful and won admiration from generations of parents and alumni.

Open Door School continues to influence other preschools in the Charlotte area and beyond.  In 2001, under Sue Riley’s guidance, The Piedmont Progressive Preschool (PPP), sponsored by the Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church, opened in Charlotte's University area. The PPP’s  philosophy is based on that of Open Door School.