At Swan School we value children as individuals and believe in developing the creative, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical well-being of each child through our core values.

Our Core Values

Community
Swan School is a supportive, safe community in which students, parents, staff, and other members work together in partnership.

Examples of Community at Swan School

• Multi-age classrooms.
• Buddy activities that encourage friendships between older and younger students.
• Daily whole school meetings.
• Monthly parent meetings.
• Special presentations by parents and community members.
• Strong parent involvement.
• Learner Exhibitions during which cross-age student teams teach, demonstrate, or present what they have learned during a unit.
• Students actively and regularly participate in taking care of the school environment in which they learn.
• Respect and awareness of other cultures are taught throughout the curriculum, including learning a foreign language.

Challenge
Students experience a challenging learning environment that allows them to reach excellence in academics and in life.

Examples of Challenge at Swan School

• High expectations of students are clearly stated.
• Teachers utilize current research-based teaching methods.
• Curriculum is individualized and developmentally appropriate.
• Small class-size enhances the learning experience of each child.
• Students learn and develop intellectually at their own rates and in their own styles.
• Students are assessed through daily student work and through teacher observation.
• Students are encouraged and expected to take chances and to use their initiative.
• Project-based learning requires students to demonstrate their learning through creative hands-on projects rather than exclusively through test-taking.

Creativity
Fascination and curiosity about the world is fostered in students through a rich environment that encourages original ideas and inventions, innovative thought, and personal expression.

Examples of Creativity at Swan School

• A music program that includes singing, playing instruments, and regular opportunities for performances.
• Integration of art throughout the curriculum as well as ongoing art classes.
• Student learning through integrated units of study is culminated with projects and presentations.
• Writing and reading workshops that incorporate student choice.
• Learner Exhibitions where student projects and inventions focus on initiative and original ideas.

Compassion
Understanding the importance of emotional wellbeing in our lives, Swan School teaches and encourages students to have compassion for fellow beings, creatures, and themselves.

Examples of Compassion at Swan School

• Students are taught to care for one another as part of the curriculum.
• Students practice compassion and caring in a learning environment structured to encourage this.
• Whole-school recesses, special learning projects, and regular interaction between all classrooms supports the practice of showing compassion to one another.

Connection
We teach how all aspects of life are connected. Through meaningful curriculum, learning becomes fun and relevant to students' lives.

Examples of Connection at Swan School

• Because of small class-size, teachers can focus on emotional and mental wellbeing of students in addition to academic rigor.
• Focused study organized as integrated units are studied by the entire school. The units integrate math, science, art, literature, history, music, writing, etc. Focusing on one topic for an extended period of time encourages a deeper understanding of the topic and the world.
• We are environmentally friendly, recycling and using recycled and non-toxic goods as much as possible.

Examples of Leadership at Swan School

• Students participate in a leadership program that includes responsibilities for our classroom and our school community.
• Older more experienced students mentor and nurture younger or less experienced students.
• Opportunities are provided to learn about and practice environmental stewardship.
• Democratic structures are integral to each classroom that involves children in the process of making meaningful class and school policies and decisions.

Enjoyment
Learning is enjoyable at Swan School! Enjoyment is an integral part of learning; if students are bored, then they probably are not learning anything. But if they are having fun, not only are they learning a lot, they are more likely to retain what they have learned.

Examples of Enjoyment at Swan School

• A dynamic and enthusiastic staff that love what they do and are lifelong learners themselves.
• Laughter is encouraged and heard throughout the day in all of our classrooms.
• Choice is integral to students' academic and artistic pursuits.
• Students are encouraged to share their world and their knowledge with others through activities, presentations, discussions, independent projects, etc.