6  Multiple Perspectives & Differentiated Learning Styles

Our teachers take time to carefully observe and assess each child's individual interests, and use this information to guide their teaching choices and approaches in the classroom. By facilitating back-and forth dialogue, our teachers help children develop ideas that flow out of their own interests. Teachers will then translate these ideas into projects for the whole class to work on and explore together. The offerings will be differentiated to include all learners and offer opportunities for parent participation, supporting the building of a bridge between home and school.

Our educational approach is based on the premise that intellectual development flows most naturally and effectively when the children are the protagonists of this endeavor. Of course, not all aspects of the curriculum will be determined by children's specific interests, but elements of an "emergent," child-centered approach are incorporated throughout the program.

Our teachers also carefully consider the individual needs, learning styles, backgrounds, strengths and vulnerabilities of each child. We believe that students learn in different ways and move through developmental stages at different rates, and should be supported accordingly. We think that standardized evaluative measures of intelligence are too narrow, and may sometimes fail to detect a child's true gifts . In keeping with this, our teachers seek out varied approaches and diverse points of entry into subjects, engaging the students by using the modes and styles of learning that suit them best.

We want to ensure that, as we challenge children to stretch and grow in new directions, we also help them stay connected to the things about which they are passionate. In building this program, we have heeded the advice that mythology scholar Joseph Campbell gave to all of his students. It is a phrase that we now pass on to all of our students: "Follow your bliss."