Our Program:
The International Approach
Governance
Linking autonomy and responsibility at every level within a learning community allows all members to contribute to their fullest potential.
Our beliefs:
- The most effective instruction takes place when teachers actively participate in the school decision-making process, including instructional program design, curriculum development, assessment processes and materials selection.
- The most effective learning takes place when students are offered choices and are responsible for their own learning.
- Shared governance structures with responsibility for outcomes promote more effective learning environments for all members of the school community.
Our practice:
- Small groups of faculty work in interdisciplinary teams and are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum, instruction and teacher-designed assessments for a small group of students over time
- School-based faculty personnel committees are responsible for hiring teachers, supporting them, and developing processes for teacher assessment. Principals participate in the selection of new principals in their local network.
- Faculty committees in each school are responsible for overseeing key areas, such as curriculum, assessment and professional development.
- Collaborative school leadership teams govern with participation and buy-in from all stakeholders in the school community.
- Support is provided for faculty through team and committee structures, as well as mentoring.
- Peer mediated instruction with teacher facilitation fosters independent learning.