Our Approach

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Our approach to education starts with our beliefs about children.

 

Children can do more – Children can learn and do so much, from infants to teenagers.  Some adults may be surprised by how much young learners can accomplish.  Not us.

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Children want to do more – Children are naturally curious and motivated, but they may lose both if their environment does not encourage them to learn about and engage with the world.

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Children can grow their talents – And this is about more than IQ.  Talents include creativity, planning, team work, and more.  We all have different starting points, but we can grow our talents with the right effort and guidance.  

 

 

Across all grades at SCA, we share a common approach:

 

Challenge all and engage learners in deep, meaningful work – Growth comes from being challenged.  Not only challenged with another worksheet, but challenged to think a big thought, to complete a stimulating project or to view a problem in a new way.  Students will take to being challenged and will view their work as meaningful especially as it relates to their interests and experiences.

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Expose students to a diversity of people, ideas and experiences - Students can better connect different ideas, place new insights into context and challenge their assumptions by gaining a multitude of perspectives.  We aim for our students, staff and curriculum to be as rich and diverse as the world around us.

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Support the whole child – Students do their best learning when they are in a safe, supportive environment and surrounded by educators who are attuned to their emotional, social as well as academic needs.  Inquiry requires taking risks.  Learning involves ‘failing forward’.  We are intentional in building an environment that promotes learning

 

See how we translate our approach into action.