High Road School of Darien Student Noah and the Adding Machine

A Special Delivery to High Road School of Darien

When teacher Peter Le Grand heard that an acquaintance was giving away an old adding machine – one built more than a century ago – he didn’t hesitate.

“In less than an instant, Noah’s face filled my mind,” Le Grand said. “I may have screamed ‘Yes!’ before she even finished her sentence.”

For Noah, a student at the High Road School of Darien, calculators are a passion. He enjoys collecting them, studying them, and talking about them. “He could go on and on about each item he has – the size, the shape, the different features, the colors – all in exhaustive detail and passion,” Le Grand said. “I’ve never met someone so excited about a collection. It turns out that Noah loves, and I mean LOVES, calculators.”

Noah’s Passion for Calculators Comes to Life

Noah’s enthusiasm soon became a daily joy. He would talk with Le Grand before school, explaining the inner workings of calculators, letting his teacher test the buttons and hear the different beeps and tones. “I may not fully understand his devotion,” Le Grand said, “but his perfect smile tells me all I need to know. Joy is joy.”

A Historic Adding Machine Delights the Classroom

The day Le Grand brought the adding machine to school, Noah was speechless. “It weighs about 40 pounds,” Le Grand said. “If it weren’t an adding machine, it would make a great boat anchor. It’s got rows of number keys, an ink ribbon, a spool of paper, and this huge lever on the side – when you pull it, the Earth practically trembles. Ka-chunk! It’s the best.”

The antique quickly became a beloved member of the class. Students walk by Noah’s desk just to push a few buttons and hear the satisfying click, click. Some pull the lever, filling the room with its mechanical rhythm. “We think it’s about 127 years old,” Le Grand said. “It’s a real piece of history and the students love imagining what it’s seen.”

Making Space for a 127-Year-Old Machine

Noah keeps the machine front and center on his desk – though it takes up nearly half the space. “If he wants to do an art project, he has to move it,” Le Grand said. “He grunts and groans, hauling this beast across the room so it doesn’t get paint or glue on it.” One day soon, Noah hopes to take it home for the weekend. “We might need a permit from the city to move it,” Le Grand joked.

New Interests Bloom at High Road School of Darien

Since joining High Road School of Darien this past summer for the Extended School Year program, Noah has discovered other interests as well. Le Grand introduced him to woodworking, model trains, and even the dulcimer, a stringed instrument Noah now plays each day during lunch. “He sits in a beanbag chair, playing and smiling,” Le Grand said. “It’s the same smile he has when he’s holding one of his calculators.”

Finding the Right Fit Through Support and Structure

Noah’s journey to High Road has been anything but typical. “I’ve been with Noah since the first day of kindergarten, back in 2020 – the COVID year,” said Brianne Oliver, special education and early learning coordinator for Community Consolidated School District 146. “He’s a bright student with high academic skills, but he needed more behavioral support than we could offer in a traditional setting.”

After trying several placements, including a cooperative program within the district, Noah continued struggling with transitions and emotional regulation. “When I learned that High Road of Darien was opening, I immediately thought it might be a good fit,” Oliver said. “His parents were hesitant at first – they loved having him in the same elementary building as his sister – but once we toured, we knew. The smaller class sizes, the project-based learning, and now, having a male teacher who really connects with him have made all the difference.”

Growth, Confidence, and Joy for the Whole Family

Oliver added that Noah’s growth has been remarkable. “He’s buying into the behavioral systems, he’s happy, and he’s engaged. When we have meetings now, his parents are smiling. They tell me about the joy on his face when he earns points to go on field trips – that’s what we want to see for our students.”

What Makes High Road School of Darien Unique

Le Grand said the adding machine is a symbol of what makes the school special. “Our leader Jolene Delaney always says her job is figuring out how to say ‘yes’ as much as possible,” he said. “She understands that learning can come in many forms – even in the shape of a 127-year-old adding machine.”

This November marks the High Road School of Darien’s first anniversary.

“I’ve been teaching for slightly more than a minute; it’s been the best place to teach,” said Le Grand. “We have our tough days, Noah included, but they are days that are part of what we need to build our lives.”