Classrooms

Children come into the world prepared to learn and with an innate desire to connect with people and the world around them. Our Infant/Waddler Classroom provides learning spaces that support relationship building and connection as our youngest students experience school for the first time. We believe that young children deserve access to a diverse array or rich materials and intentionally cultivated projects and provocation. By crafting an inclusive classroom environment we support children in building their understanding of who they are in the world and their growing awareness of others around them. We consider ourInfant/Waddler Classroom to be a school community and see this as an important first step in building a culture where learning is a shared experience. Our Infant/Waddler Classroom is designed for students who are 12-15 months or younger in September of the current school year and averages a 4:1 child/teacher ratio.

This classroom capitalizes on toddlers’ emerging desire for autonomy by supporting identity development and their growing awareness of the diverse world around them. Our belief in the capabilities of young children, as well as a strong understanding about what matters to and motivates toddlers, inspires teachers to design classroom spaces that invite discovery, risk-taking, and independence. While children are strengthening their sense of self and building their confidence in their own skills, all learning is anchored in a social context where children and teachers work together to develop strategies to express themselves and co-construct knowledge. The structure of the school day, learning environment, and intentionally designed curriculum supports this shared work. Our Toddler Classroom is designed for students who will turn 2 during the current school year and averages a 6:1 child/teacher ratio.

With a strong sense of self and an understanding about the meaning of community and cooperation, preschool students put their skills to use as they make their thinking visible. Supported by teachers, students learn to advocate for their ideas as they imagine what’s possible, make a plan for bringing their ideas to life, invite others to join them in their work, and listen to the ideas of others. Teachers design projects, provocations and experiences that reflect the overarching classroom inquiry investigation. Early academic skill practice is embedded in opportunities for small groups or individual students to work on specific skills or work towards accomplishing desired learning outcomes identified by teachers. A strong focus is placed on fostering the skills necessary for collaboration and participation, with an emphasis on the executive functioning skills necessary for success in a classroom or other shared learning environment. Our Young Preschool Classroom is designed for students who will turn 3 during the current school year and averages a 7:1 child/teacher ratio.