A New Way of Learning in a Floundering School System
The New School concept is to educate the whole child – mind, body & spirit. They focus on multiple ways of learning and each individual childs needs. They have below average class size, keeping each room at a maximum of 17 students. All classrooms have a teacher and a teaching assistant. This provides the time needed to focus on each child during the day to ensure they are keeping up with what is being taught. If a child is designated behind in a subject area, they are provided with a specialized tutor for their area of concern. The University of Washington has been participating in a research program on tutoring students in reading. This is provided to the school at no charge to the students.
This is a school with varying economic and social backgrounds. There is a philanthropic foundation that supports the areas of funding that the school district cannot. Any child that cannot afford to participate in an activity is granted assistance from the foundation so that they are not left out. There are after school programs offered to the students such as language classes, martial arts, writing & more. It varies each semester as to what the parent alliance group has selected.
There is a strong parent, community and staff relationship. It is treated more like a family group than a school. You enter the building into the “living room” where parents congregate on couches to pick up their children at the end of the day. Teachers and staff are always available to discuss any concerns parents or community members have. Even for personal matters not related to school.
Teachers make visits to each of their students homes before the school year starts so that they can get to know the child as a whole being. To include their home life and cultural environment. This creates a bonded relationship between home and school. Where parents and teachers work together in a close team with each child.
Some of the curriculum is not typical either. Last year children participated in yoga, african drumming, swimming and spanish classes. I have yet to know of another school that provides these diverse experiences for the children. It opens up the opportunity for children that may not have otherwise had the chance to do such things. And enriches their mind, body & spirit.
There is a general overtone of community leadership within the school and events that are arranged. Many community leaders visit the children to discuss issues within the neighborhood and city that they see occuring. Helping them to understand that we all must be socially conscious of society and can play a part in helping it be a better place. That we are all responsible for our own behavior and can work together to create a positive environment.
The New School was originally on the list of schools last year to be discontinued due to the problems occuring with an over abundance of facilities and dwindling attendance. However parents rallied together with the community to fight for this program to stay alive, and were also able to win the funding they need to make this a permanent institution in the district. It is great to see such new vision in education outside of the private sector. Support is still needed to keep it going, so check it out and see for yourself the wonderful addition to Seattle that this school is.
