Who are we? Why a charter school? And what is a charter school? What is progressive education?

2. Overview • Who are we? • Why a charter school? And what is a charter school? • What is progressive education?

3. Who are we? • We started as a group of parents and community members desiring a new learning environment. • Our interest list is over 150 individuals • We are not anti-public school, we desire a new choice.

4. Why a charter school? • What is a charter school? • In Michigan, a charter school is a public school academy (PSA) • Requires highly qualified teachers • Requires standardized testing • Abides to all state laws and codes • Cannot be religiously affiliated • Allowed to present knowledge uniquely • Not required to provide transportation • Allowed to cap class sizes • The PSA law does not allow unions

5. What is progressive education? wikipedia • John Dewey • Democracy • Maria Montessori • “Follow the child” • Rudolf Steiner - Waldorf • Arts and Music • Loris Malaguzzi - Reggio Emilia • Project-based • Forest Schools • Nature/outdoor learning • Free and Democratic Schools • John Holt -Homeschooling/Unschooling • Alfie Kohn • Sir Ken Robinson • Peter Gray

6. Our Vision: • To cultivate children's love of learning, motivate individual voices, and encourage respect and involvement in their community and the world. • Our Mission: • To empower our children to become passionate, creative learners by fostering an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to education; To ensure an environment of respect and collaboration that builds self-esteem, promotes academic excellence, and gives young people the skills and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

7. Our Guiding Principles • The curriculum is based on interdisciplinary, experiential, and project-based learning. • Learning is child-led, guided by learning facilitators. • Differentiated instruction allows each child to learn at their own pace. • Physical and emotional growth is equally as important as academic performance. • The non-competitive academic environment fosters intrinsically motivated learning. • Multiple age groups in the same learning environment create opportunities for leadership, differentiated instruction, and reinforces peer learning.

8. Our Guiding Principles (continued) • Frequent outdoor learning opportunities focused on the natural environment are integrated into the curriculum. • Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum, creative subjects such as art, music and drama are emphasized and integrated into the curriculum design. • Every age level has the opportunity to learn a foreign language. • Students, teachers, and parents are involved in the school’s decision-making process. • Teachers evaluate student’s progress through portfolios and alternative assessments rather than using letter grades. • Parents are encouraged to volunteer and be involved at every level. • Curriculum development will rely heavily on establishing community partnerships to foster mutual learning and expand opportunities.

9. Our Design • Block Scheduling – with time for professional development • Classroom size capped at 18 students • Starting with 8 multi-aged classrooms for grades k-12 • Year-around school • Democratic decision process • Passion-driven curriculum • Research-based decisions

10. Q&A http://superiorcape.org