This Thursday, an auction of art pieces created by the students of the Young World Day School in Mahwah is what teachers and parents call a representation of the educational philosophy of the school.

Each of the pre-K, Kindergarten and primary education classes has created a collaborative art piece that will be up for auction Thursday night. “Artwork is part of the curriculum in every subject matter, it’s not like the kids go to a separate art class,” Christine Mirante, a parent with two kids in the school who is helping coordinate the auction, said. “It’s part of what is unique about the school.”

The not-for-profit school on Wyckoff Ave. offers a traditional and a Montessori pre-K program, and primary education classes that group students based on ability, not age. The school’s website explains “in grades Kindergarten through 5, a rotating multi-year curriculum delivers open-ended, diversified assignments designed to suit each child.”

Each of the older classes also has two certified teachers per classroom. “There is a big emphasis on individual attention,” Mirante said.

This year, the school has about 150 students between the ages of 2 and 11, in 12 classes.

Each year, the classes frame or mount an art piece to be auctioned off as a fundraiser. The pieces are usually inspired by a famous artist, book, or “something else they are learning about in class. There is always an educational aspect to what they are creating,” Mirante said.

The money raised at the auction is used to fund student scholarships, field trip buses, extra programs in classrooms, like “Outrageous Pets” and a science fair, and other similar programs in the school.

Mirante said the fundraiser typically makes between $25 and $30,000 for the school, $8-10K of which comes from the auction, and the rest from ticket sales and a silent auction. “It is a fun night out for the adults," she said. "Though we usually have mostly families with kids in the school come, it is open to anyone. So, people with an interest in the art or the school are welcome to come."

Ticket’s to Thursday night’s “Annual Fundraiser Auction & Dinner” are $75 for one and $140 for two, in advance, and $85 at the door. Get more information about the auction on the YWDS website, or call 201-327-3888.