These years are a special window of time in a child’s life to foster healthy attitudes toward school and learning, to establish joy in the process, to build solid foundations in core subject areas, and to give children the confidence to explore new horizons.

We put an emphasis on building solid foundations in a few well chosen subjects: primarily Math and English grammar and literature, and also cultural studies and the fundamentals of music. The skills and pathways of thinking developed through years spent building conceptual understanding in these areas open up limitless opportunities for further study and success in these and other disciplines.

Meaningful learning is not just about finishing a class or getting homework done, but also about guiding children toward deeper understanding and further exploration of a concept. We believe in a de-emphasis on external evaluators like grading so that the process of discovery and understanding can flow from within. 

We believe in facilitating one-on-one interactions as much as possible. They provide the child with a forum to not only ask questions and share ideas, but also to feel that their contributions to the dialogue matter. The respect in these exchanges gives them a sense of security, which allows them to progress along their own continuum of learning without arbitrary standards of accomplishment or an unhealthy need for affirmation.

Central to our philosophy is the constant encouragement for children to be ‘in the moment’ with their learning and to engage with the task at hand. While it may seem that children are asking for more leeway in doing the things they want, they actually feel most comfortable and secure when boundaries are set for them. This applies to both their social behavior and their time at school. Setting up a learning environment with consistency and structure not only encourages them to focus, but ultimately opens the way for more freedom in their learning. It gives them the confidence to venture forth themselves.

It is very healthy when learning evolves in such a way that children are excited to share what they know with others. Presenting and sharing knowledge and/or skills in both informal and formal ways is a vital part of the learning process. It empowers children to delight in their accomplishments and nurtures their individuality through feelings of pride and mastery. They can be recognized for what they have discovered, what they know, and what they can contribute.

Establishing continuity between the many facets of a child’s life, from their life at home to their experiences at school and their extracurricular activities, gives children a sense of security. They come to feel that learning is not simply a collection of unrelated tasks, but is something that is part of them, always. In the best of worlds, it extends beyond the school day and becomes a lifelong way of being.