Academic Principles
- Students are individuals who have feelings, ideas and desire to connect with others, therefore we must ensure they are physically and emotionally healthy.
- Students learn best when they are given freedom to make mistakes, they are offered choices and are encouraged to make decisions about their own learning.
- Intrinsic rewards such as self-confidence, enjoyment and trusting relationships are more effective and long lasting than external reinforcers.
- Program areas are introduced and developed in a sequence that mirrors the individual development of the students as they master each milestone.
- Focus on what a student can do. Capitalize on student’s strengths to develop areas of challenge.
- Sensory and socio-emotional needs take priority in all interactions. Skill building is only effective when student is engaged and reciprocal.
- All behavior is rooted on a biological or emotional response. No child should be punished for communicating how they feel. The goal is not to control a child but to help a child be in control of his/her self.
- Academics are best approached in a cross curricular format such as integrating math with movement or reading with arts, all driven by student interest.
- Mutually respectful relationships. We are not above the children. We work together, learn together, play together and get through hard times together!
- School environment should be responsive to the physiological, socio-emotional and developmental needs of our students.
- Parents and caregivers are active participants in their child’s development. We support families through classroom observation and coaching sessions to bridge home and school environments.
We are not above the children. We work together, learn together, play together and get through hard times together.
