Our Teaching Pillars

We use the National Common Core Standard to guide the creation of an individualized program for every student. Standards-based learning (SBL) offers several key advantages. First, it provides clear learning goals, helping students understand exactly what is expected. This clarity supports personalized learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace and ensuring they master key concepts before moving forward. Additionally, SBL promotes consistent and transparent assessment, where evaluations are based on mastering specific standards rather than overall grades or subjective factors. Students are better prepared for future academic world applications. Overall, SBL encourages a more individualized program where students can take real ownership of their learning. 

Performance-based assessments are evaluations where students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by performing tasks or creating products rather than just answering traditional test questions. These assessments focus on how well students can apply what they've learned in real-world or simulated scenarios. Examples include projects, presentations, experiments, or portfolios that showcase students' abilities to solve problems, think critically, and apply concepts practically.

Differentiated learning is an approach where teachers tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs, interests, and learning styles of students. It involves adjusting content, teaching methods, and assessments to ensure that all students can engage with the material and succeed, regardless of their individual abilities or learning preferences.

Community-based lessons involve integrating local community resources, issues, and experiences into the curriculum. These lessons connect classroom learning to real-world contexts by engaging students in projects, field trips, or partnerships with local organizations. The goal is to make learning more relevant, foster civic responsibility, and strengthen the link between students and their communities.

A sustainability-driven curriculum focuses on teaching students about environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It integrates concepts related to sustainable practices, resource conservation, climate change, and social equity into various subjects. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address global challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future. This type of curriculum encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible citizenship in relation to sustainability issues.

Project-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach where students actively engage in real-world projects to solve problems or answer complex questions. Instead of traditional lectures, students work on a project over an extended period, collaborating, researching, and applying their knowledge to create a final product or presentation. PBL emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and the application of skills in practical, meaningful contexts.

Our curriculum choices are always student-centered and designed based on evidence and findings from both student assessments and educational research.  This approach ensures that the curriculum is aligned with best practices and addresses the individual  needs of each student.