Our Approach

Engaging, Responsive, Inspiring

The Conditions for Learning Approach

Our Approach for transforming classrooms requires a consistent focus on nine key strategic areas which combine academic rigor with students′ personal and social development. These nine strategic areas are categorized into three pillars: Engaging Instruction, Responsive Classrooms, and Inspiring Curriculum.

Engaging Instruction

Create an atmosphere of inclusion, community, and positive interdependence.
  • Design lessons that are anchored to specific goals and objectives
  • Organize learning into a manageable and teachable progression
  • Deliver lessons that require students to think critically and actively participate
  • Create an environment of positive interdependence among students
  • Learn a variety of strategies for increasing student engagement
  • Teach students to analyze and implement productive individual and group behavior
Structuring Interaction
  • Teach students to resolve conflict peacefully
  • Empower students to make rational decisions and problem solve
  • Develop classroom management systems that teach students to take responsibility for their actions
Rational Discipline

Responsive Classrooms

Motivate readers and writers through student-centered literacy strategies.
  • Identify assessments that inform instruction on a daily basis
  • Utilize assessments to target specific academic needs of students
  • Teach responsively and intervene based on student need
Collaboration
  • Design classroom structures that allow students to develop academic skills – each at their own level
  • Incorporate flexible, small group instruction consistently and routinely
  • Maximize student growth and individual success
Teacher with small group
  • Teach empathy, compassion, and concern for students′ personal and academic success
  • Allow students to reinforce skills learned in class and promote a culture of learning school-wide
  • Provide opportunities for students to make positive, lasting contributions to the school community

Inspiring Curriculum

Build experiences that tap into students’ natural curiosity and desire to learn.
  • Plan meaningful units that teach essential concepts and skills anchored to content standards
  • Align standards with materials and strategies to ensure understanding
  • Identify student outcomes that measure mastery of targeted standards
Units of Study
  • Tap into students’ curiosity and inherent desire to learn
  • Promote meaningful family and community involvement
  • Provide authentic forums for students to demonstrate their creativity and genius
Student Presentation
  • Make academic content relevant to students by creating opportunities for students to effect change in their community
  • Expose students to the idea of active and engaged citizenship
  • Encourage youth voice and expand students′ understanding of local, national, and global challenges
Beautifying School