Our 5 Commitments
Positive Individual Attention is provided through small class sizes, caring personal advisors, supported student driven group and independent study, relevant core classes, and an intentionally positive school environment which values human diversity.
Place Based Education is learning to be where we are. It is the process of using the immediate environment and local community as a starting point to teach concepts. It emphasizes hands on, real world experiences which create a heightened commitment to serving as active contributing citizens. It is about working with what is here, now. Integrated Nature Literacy is the ability to learn from and respond to direct experience with nature. We establish nature literacy through unstructured daily time in the woods and in and around the creek in all weather and all seasons, stewardship of the schoolyard habitat, organic gardening, composting, and conservation (wise use) of natural resources. The Democratic Experience is provided through participation in the HIVE (IOS Governing body); collaborative decision making and empowerment through student ownership, choice, and active participation. Nurturing Emotional Intelligence through encouraging virtues such as love, caring, generosity, responsibility for actions, forgiveness, compassion, self regulation, composure, resilience, and openness. We cultivate conscious reflective silence and solitude. |
