Every day, our students learn:
To Find Joy in Academic Growth
“I could not get my child to stop talking about the battle of Stalingrad…he was excited, engaged, and knew more than I thought possible for a 3rd grader. My other child just said, “I’ve never been so excited about learning.” I can’t wait to see their thoroughly researched World War II comic book when it’s completed.”
Children learn to love academics through student-led, inquiry-based projects that inspire curiosity, creativity and critical thinking while integrating multiple subjects like math, science, language arts, history, fine arts, and more. While we don’t assign homework, children often bring their learning home anyway.
To Love and Care for the Environment
“My kid, who previously wouldn’t play outside unless it was 70 degrees and sunny, has begun to go out in less-than-perfect weather. He is also noticing and caring for the environment and its critters (toads, worms, spiders, etc…) in ways he never did before. It makes me so happy to see him developing a positive relationship with nature.
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Every day, children go outside for Environmental Education where they participate in joyful, student-led learning with an emphasis on environmental stewardship and community engagement.
We were awarded a grant to provide outdoor gear for all students to ensure every child has equal access to this program. We have a gear closet and have gear swaps twice a year.
To Build Community and Resolve Conflict
“My kindergartener wants to make agreements anytime there is a “conflict,” (which consists of veggies at dinner or cleaning up the toy room). He also learned all of the kids names in his class in two weeks, and his attention span has increased beyond measure.”
Children learn relationship and community-building skills along-side academics in an environment that nurtures social-emotional growth and respects and celebrates difference because these skills are foundational to success in school and life.
That Active Bodies are Valued
“When my children play school at home, they gather lots of floor pillows for flexible seating options, set up multiple work stations and circle time is back! Their play features dialogue, community building and creativity, and their family school makes frequent trips outdoors for learning and play…What I can see in my children, since starting at Northern Lights, is renewed joy in learning.”
Classrooms are designed to allow children freedom of movement. With flexible seating options and wide open spaces, learning can happen naturally in whatever way is most comfortable for each child.
Curiosity and the Power of Play
“My 2nd grader had her friend from school over and they spent their time writing chapter books together and measuring and recording the lengths of all the plants in our house (they called this botany class) . It’s amazing to see their play reflecting their joys at school. ”
Students have Inquiry Time each day at school which allows a child to pursue their curiosity. This is 45 minutes where children are motivated by their own intrinsic desire to learn. In Kindergarten, the teacher provides open-ended choices, but in subsequent older grades, students are eventually allowed freedom to direct their own learning. The students mentioned in this quote were passionate about writing a series of books about dragons, potion making, costume play and art in their classroom. They were able to explore these themes during Inquiry.