FAQ – Education

A four-grade school allows for continuity of experience for students and families. Students would have one less transition and remain longer with faculty and administrators who know the student and the family. In addition, a four-grade school would allow educators to collaborate more intensively across grade levels to support vertical alignment of teaching and learning.

In a four-grade school, the architectural design would feature a learning neighborhood for each grade level where all of the classes in that grade level would be clustered. This would foster a sense of a small community within the larger community. The grade-level neighborhood would include learning commons located among the grade-level classrooms where students and educators could gather within the grade level. The learning commons would also support flexible grouping of students across grade-level classrooms also supporting a sense of belonging within the grade level. In addition, the learning communities would provide a highly inclusive environment that includes small group rooms where students might participate in small group instruction with a special educator, English Language Development teacher, or Educational Support Professional. The school would also include space in the cafetorium or gym where multiple grade levels could gather to support community connections.

Reduced Transitions:
The educational plan aims to consolidate grades 2-5 into one school, reducing transitions, optimizing resources, and fostering stronger, longer-term relationships among students, caregivers, and staff.

The design includes two wings one for second and third grades and a second wing for fourth and fifth grades, organized into learning neighborhoods with shared spaces like learning commons to encourage collaboration and flexibility.

Spaces Designed with Purpose: Music, Physical Education, Art, Media, and World Language spaces are designed to support the rich offerings students experience and ensure they are designed for the purpose intended.

Spaces that Support Inclusion and Special Education: Special education services are inclusive, supporting students within their classrooms and providing adjacent spaces for specialized or small group instruction when necessary.

Spaces for Educator Collaboration: The design prioritizes dedicated spaces for teachers to collaborate, problem-solve, and plan together to enhance student learning. The design prioritizes dedicated spaces for teachers to collaborate, problem-solve, and plan together to enhance student learning.

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