At Woodland School,

our mission is to help students to progressively improve

their ability to understand well, and respond well to others

and the world around them. 

We encourage this by developing, refining, and maintaining a learning environment where students and teachers:

• develop their talents and interests (passion),
• mature in their understanding of democratic processes and service to community (service), and
• acquire the skills and wisdom of the past and present (math, science, history, English, music, art, etc.) to improve their talents, strengthen their potential to serve, and enrich their general ability to respond well to life’s opportunities and challenges (wisdom). 

In order for good experiences to occur in these three areas, we strive to create a learning environment where:

• it is safe and hospitable enough for students to get beyond concerns that cause them to be overly self-conscious, defensive, or “cool.”  Getting beyond these concerns allows them to turn outward and engage in  healthy exploration of ideas, people, places, etc. 
• there is a healthy sense of being free to explore and make choices.
• there is an inviting array of activities, options, teachers, and resources which draw the interest and attention of the students,
• regular routines are practiced that develop good habits, appropriate discipline, and generally useful skills.

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It is our goal for students to have significant learning experiences in each of the three aspects mentioned above, wisdom, passion, & service, but the three are not necessarily separate experiences. Instead they are often overlapping and supportive of one another. 

PASSION
Developing Talents and Interests.  All children have unique talents, gifts, and interests which, if nurtured properly, enrich their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. Children who pursue learning which interests them are more likely to work hard, remain highly motivated, follow through when the road is tough, and retain what they learn along the way. Our challenge is to create learning spaces and learning opportunities where students are able to find and engage in learning about which they really care.

WISDOM
Authentic Participation in the Arts and Sciences. The arts and sciences (the wisdom of the past and present found in math, science, history, art, etc,), are not simply dead subjects that must be learned in school. On the contrary, when learned in meaningful and relevant ways, they can provide knowledge, habits, and skills which help children in pursuing and developing their own special talents and interests.

SERVICE
Service to family, community, and country is the foundation of a good life. It is our goal for students to have their service—and ability to serve—be improved and enriched with the wisdom of the arts and sciences and be inspired with some of the passion developed while pursuing personal interests.  

Working in the “Zone.”
At Woodland School, we are much more interested in where you are and how we can help you move forward than we are about how old you are, or what grade you are in.  Not everyone learns to walk at exactly the same age. Likewise, not all people learn the same things, at the same time, and in the same way.  What is most important for each child is that they are moving forward in a “zone” that challenges them, but does not overwhelm them; a zone in which they are giving their best effort, and making progress. 

Multi-Age Groupings
Multi-age, non-graded grouping is a classroom organizational structure that helps teachers and students stay in the “zone.” Within multiage groupings, students of various ages and abilities work and interact together. These groupings more accurately recreate the natural ways that people in a community of differing ages and abilities learn and work together.

Consistent Practice of Basic Skills in Language and Math
Certain skills, techniques, and competencies need to be developed and maintained regularly so that learning opportunities are not missed. Routine practice and review are significant and positive when they are done with a purpose.

Small Classes and Continuity with Teachers
In each of our programs, students have the advantage of remaining with a team of teachers for multiple years. This allows students and teachers to better understand and work with one another toward higher quality work and achievement.

Outdoor Learning
The school is set on 250 acres of wooded land and two small lakes.  Using the outdoors as resource for learning is an important aspect of our educational program.