Education: A Closer Look
|
The New School of Northern Virginia
9431 Silver King Court
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
(703) 691-3040
www.newschoolva.com
The New School has often been described as an elementary/middle/high school version of a small liberal arts college - and that's a pretty good description. Much as in college, students feel an exciting mix of freedom and intellectual challenge. They have choices within a discipline in planning out their academic distribution requirements. They learn to collaborate closely with their teachers and advisors as they work their way through the school.
Our Beliefs
- We believe there are many ways to teach, learn, and present information; we believe in the Multiple Intelligences.
- We believe teachers must help students develop the essential skills and habits of mind they need to use their minds well.
- We believe students are intrinsically motivated to learn, achieve, and create.
- We believe interdependent collaboration between students, teachers, and parents is vital.
- We believe a special dimension of equality exists in the teacher/student relationship. We celebrate this dimension for it allows students to transcend their former academic self-perceptions and empowers students to re-imagine themselves as successful and creative learners and individuals.
- We believe in using tools of authentic assessment (including student portfolios, exhibitions, performances and documented research) to evaluate student mastery of skills and concepts.
- We expect students to act in ways that benefit the community; it is essential to work cooperatively, to think and act ethically.
- We believe in our skilled faculty: collegial friends of the highest order and talented student mentors. We provide myriad opportunities for our faculty to grow, collaboratively and individually, as both teachers and learners.