We Challenge Minds
Independent schools offer challenging academics and engaging programs to help children develop a life-long love of learning.
Independent schools offer challenging academics and engaging programs to help children develop a life-long love of learning.
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Design Thinking and Global Perspectives
Decades ago, astronomer Gerald Hawkins predicted humans would grapple with the presently inconceivable, mind-stretching discoveries, and dramatic shifts to paradigms in our universe. Colorado Academy’s “Global Perspectives in the 21st Century” course for high school freshmen is a course that uses design thinking to prepare students for the world that Hawkins imagined. CA History teacher […]
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Adventure, Math, and Writing Animate History
Back in the mid-1800s, when the pioneers set off on the Oregon Trail from Missouri, it took about five months to make the grueling 2,000-mile expedition by covered wagon. This fall, thanks to modern technology and creative teachers, Principia School’s third-grade students have virtually and directly experienced the same journey over a period of just […]
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Building Coding into Elementary Curriculum
Beginning in Kindergarten, Ranney School (Tinton Falls, NJ) students use iPads to practice reading and math skills and to do basic Internet searches, such as looking up a definition or concept. These skills, along with typing, are strengthened each year as Lower Schoolers progress into the elementary grades, describes Lower School Technology Teacher Maureen Wood. […]
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Marbles on the Move During Fifth-Grade Physics Lessons
Marbles rolled across the floor as students scrambled to secure connections and fine-tune turns. For the past few days, students in Ellen Neill’s fifth-grade science class have been studying physics concepts, and how the laws of motion propel a marble along a roller coaster track. “It’s really neat to see the marble gain speed and […]
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French Cooking Lesson
Students at The Rumson Country Day School take their World Language classes very seriously! Taking knowledge of a second language outside of the classroom and having fun with it is not just encouraged…It’s part of the curriculum. Enjoy as this upper school student teaches us how to make a classic French dish: crepes! Bon Appetit!
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Engineering is Elementary
How can exploring the angle of reflection help a third grader design a lighting system for a model of an Egyptian tomb? Does soil structure play a part in deciding where to build a bridge? What role will transportation engineering play in our quest for a sustainable planet? These are all questions that are explored […]
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One Student One Teacher
The heart of the Churchill program is our One-on-One Tutorial. Every child has 50 minutes with a tutor daily to work on the area of his greatest academic difficulty. For the majority of our students, learning to read and spell are the major focus of their tutorial since they have not been successful learning this […]
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Aspen Academy’s 5th Grade Cardboard Challenge
Aspen Academy fifth graders began their school year in science by creating and sharing the first annual Aspen Academy Cardboard Arcade as part of the global cardboard challenge project. Students were asked to build something awesome out of cardboard, recycled materials, and (most important) their imagination. They decided to create an arcade and invited fellow […]
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Arabic program speaks volumes at The Hill School (Pottstown, Pa.)
The new Arabic program at The Hill School (Pottstown, Pa.) has people talking. With the arrival this year of instructor Yassine Benzinane, Arabic was added to the School’s Spanish, French, and Chinese modern languages, as well as Latin and Greek. Benzinane, educated in Morocco, also teaches French classes and can teach Spanish, in addition to […]
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Up, up and away! Hot Air Balloon Event at Purnell School
Did you realize the hot air balloon is the oldest successful human carrying flight technology? On the evening of Friday October 10th, Purnell School hosted a community science event featuring hot air balloons. The event highlighted a Remax Balloon, part of the world largest fleet of balloons. Remax pilot, Captain Bob Mueller, presented the program […]
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Experiential Learning in History Class
Conserve School history teacher Michael Salat believes in the power of experiential learning. He has found that having students create their own watercraft using traditional tools is a wonderful way to make the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition come to life. From their readings in the book “Undaunted Courage” students learned that Lewis […]
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One Day in the Life of Dana Hall’s 21st Century Classroom
During the summer of 2014, two of Dana Hall’s learning spaces were transformed into state-of-the-art 21st century classrooms. Built to facilitate students and teachers collaborating and connecting in the classroom and around the world, these educational spaces encourage student-centered, media-driven and personalized learning. The installations include flexible furniture, a custom built multi-media Learning Wall and […]