Our Day: Classrooms
Our mixed-age classrooms offer our students many benefits: the consistency of working with the same team of teachers for two or three years; the flexibility to reach broader academic goals at their own pace; and the valuable experience of being both followers and leaders within the same setting. Each classroom has a unique environment designed to best meet the needs of that particular age group.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Classroom
Our primary goal for these students--many of whom are away from home for the first time--is to provide a nurturing environment that helps them feel comfortable and safe and lays the groundwork for a positive school experience going forward. With teachers acting as facilitators and guides, students learn largely through imaginative play: Simply by doing what comes naturally and feels "fun," they develop crucial skills like empathy, reasoning, memory, self-control, communication, problem-solving, and much more. Our days also include story time, phonics, number, and fine motor activities, crafts, music--and rest! Children who show developmental readiness for more formal work in the basics will have the opportunity to join the first and second grade classroom for appropriate academic activities.
We offer a part-time pre-K program in addition to the standard five-day program.
First and Second Grade Classroom
This classroom bridges students between "play all day" learning and the intensive academics of third-fifth grades. Each day is still full of hands-on exploration and self-directed fun but now also includes time for structured academics, with group and individual work on reading, handwriting, and beginning arithmetic. Students also begin to integrate the concept of personal responsibility and are supported in developing internal motivation. The most important curricular goal for each student in this classroom is to enter third grade as a fluid, confident reader.
Third-Fifth Grade Classroom
This is the core of the grammar stage, when students truly master the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Morning class time includes individual work combined with cooperative study projects and reading groups. We also focus on internal motivation and accountability; each week, students are responsible for planning their time in order to complete a set of individualized assignments. This self-management occurs within the framework of clear academic benchmarks and with careful monitoring by, and support from, teachers.
Sixth-Eighth Grade Classroom
Middle school has a more traditional structure, with two-hour subject blocks during morning work time and three afternoons for math, English, Latin, American history, world history, science, study skills, and team practice. We assign letter grades for the first time to increase accountability and ease the transition to high school. Students do advanced academic work in preparation for the Honors or Advanced Placement track.
Middle schoolers are expected to act as leaders, directing some afternoon projects and being role models for younger students. In exchange for these responsibilities, they have the privilege of joining the Teen Club and the Sports League, fun and social ways of integrating into the larger community.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Classroom
Our primary goal for these students--many of whom are away from home for the first time--is to provide a nurturing environment that helps them feel comfortable and safe and lays the groundwork for a positive school experience going forward. With teachers acting as facilitators and guides, students learn largely through imaginative play: Simply by doing what comes naturally and feels "fun," they develop crucial skills like empathy, reasoning, memory, self-control, communication, problem-solving, and much more. Our days also include story time, phonics, number, and fine motor activities, crafts, music--and rest! Children who show developmental readiness for more formal work in the basics will have the opportunity to join the first and second grade classroom for appropriate academic activities.
We offer a part-time pre-K program in addition to the standard five-day program.
First and Second Grade Classroom
This classroom bridges students between "play all day" learning and the intensive academics of third-fifth grades. Each day is still full of hands-on exploration and self-directed fun but now also includes time for structured academics, with group and individual work on reading, handwriting, and beginning arithmetic. Students also begin to integrate the concept of personal responsibility and are supported in developing internal motivation. The most important curricular goal for each student in this classroom is to enter third grade as a fluid, confident reader.
Third-Fifth Grade Classroom
This is the core of the grammar stage, when students truly master the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Morning class time includes individual work combined with cooperative study projects and reading groups. We also focus on internal motivation and accountability; each week, students are responsible for planning their time in order to complete a set of individualized assignments. This self-management occurs within the framework of clear academic benchmarks and with careful monitoring by, and support from, teachers.
Sixth-Eighth Grade Classroom
Middle school has a more traditional structure, with two-hour subject blocks during morning work time and three afternoons for math, English, Latin, American history, world history, science, study skills, and team practice. We assign letter grades for the first time to increase accountability and ease the transition to high school. Students do advanced academic work in preparation for the Honors or Advanced Placement track.
Middle schoolers are expected to act as leaders, directing some afternoon projects and being role models for younger students. In exchange for these responsibilities, they have the privilege of joining the Teen Club and the Sports League, fun and social ways of integrating into the larger community.
