What makes a good school?!
Instead of telling you the schools I think are 'good' I've put together the top 5 questions to help you find your own perfect fit.
Top 5 questions to ask your preschool (and our Elements Academy answers!)
How many children are in their class; what age/s; and how many teachers?
We basically keep a 5:1 ratio (max). Each multi-age classroom maxes out at 15 students, but we don’t normally go over 10. We have 2 teachers in each class over 5 students (no assistants, no aides or paras, no hierarchy - 2 teachers). Our multi-age classrooms are ages 3-6; ages 6-11; ages 11-14; and ages 14-18. Multi-age classrooms mimic real life and have more benefits than you could ever imagine (and no downside).
What’s the schedule like? (Specifically - how much time do they spend outside and how much time per day is unstructured free play?)
We follow the child’s lead more than the clock, so schedules are very flexible. We find the kids’ rhythm and go with that unless and until they need something different.
We are outside every day (all year in all weather) for at least an hour.
Honestly, you could call the entire day unstructured free play. It might not look like that because the kids (of all ages) are learning all day every day, but that’s what non-coercive school looks like! The kids want to learn and do work; and so they do!
You can check out our typical daily schedule on each of the age groups respective pages.
How do they learn? What do they learn? What curriculum do they use?
All learning is individualized and personalized. We have many curriculum and program options to choose from once they’re ready. (These programs include Lexia, Beast Academy, Dreambox, Scratch, Math-U-See, Saxon, and many more) But mostly these kids learn by living! They explore, experiment, and experience their way through every minute of every day. It’s a lifestyle - a philosophy - more so than a ‘curriculum’ or program.
How do you communicate with families? and how do you manage behavior?
We communicate with families in so many ways - and it’s constant and evolving. Here are a few examples:
a shared app with pictures, videos, and chats
a newsletter for the whole community
progress reports twice a year
parent meetings twice a year (and anytime you’d like)
community meetings once a month
We’re always open and ready to talk about your child! We’re easily accessible, proactive, and positive.
We don’t manage behavior. Behavior is a form communication - we curiously determine what the need is that is unmet, and we meet it! By meeting a child where they’re at, you’d be surprised how little ‘behavior’ there actually is.
When do the kids eat and go to the bathroom?
When they want! Yes, it’s crazy, right?! Those basic human needs are met whenever they need or want!
Hungry? Eat!
Thirsty? Drink!
Need the bathroom? GO!
You get the idea….
Too many kids are dehydrated, constipated, and starving (for food AND connection!) - NOT HERE! It’s such a simple, but massively impactful, thing to allow kids the autonomy to care for their body.