Progressive Education

Progressive education goes by a variety of names and descriptions, but at its heart, it is education for democratic citizenship. The legacy of progressive education traces to theorists like John Dewey and Paulo Freire and to practitioners like Caroline Pratt and Vivian Paley. It is informed today by the work of educators like Gholdy Muhammad and Bettina Love. 

​​

What these thinkers have in common is a concern for individual flourishing within a diverse community. They see education as a means of building the disposition and ability to cooperate with others to secure the freedom and happiness of all.

 

In a time when our civic institutions are increasingly fractious, the traditions of progressive education remind us how to foster dialogue across differences, consider the needs of others, and speak and act for the common good.

​

The Children's School is committed to:

​

• An integrated, project-based curriculum that aligns with national academic standards.

• Experiential learning that encourages hands-on, cooperative experiences.

• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and intrinsic motivation.

• Challenging students to take personal and social responsibility, and to respect their own and others’ values.

• Assessing students' skills and knowledge in a holistic and developmentally appropriate way.

• Developing students who are confident leaders.

• Child-centered learning that honors small class sizes and low student-teacher ratios.

• Encouraging children to investigate, explore, question, and discuss.

• Honoring each child's unique blend of personal qualities, family makeup, and cultural knowledge.

• Welcoming parents/guardians as partners in teaching.

• Supporting lifelong learning.

​