The School Around Us mission is translated into daily practice through four educational goals. These goals are intended to reflect a holistic, ongoing process that happens over time as children grow and learn together.

   1. Learn how to learn, for life.

   2. Discover your whole self.

   3. Live with respect in your natural environment.

   4. Practice responsible, knowledgeable citizenship.

Because everyone in the school community is trying to live these goals, the school is a complex place of laughing and fun, frustration and tears, days when everyone wants to quit, and times of great reward. It is complex in all the ways life is complex. It is not likely to look anything like the schools you are familiar with and sometimes you may find yourself baffled. It is just as much a place of learning for the adults involved as it is for students.

It is important to remember that this is not an unstructured school. Students have choice, but they are also expected to learn with adults who have the responsibility of meeting the mission and goals of the school with them - primarily the teachers. Teachers are hired by parents to meet the mission and goals of the school, and are then trusted to act in that capacity. SAU is not a traditional school either, in that the "basics" include matters of the spirit, the body, the heart and the mind. Academics are certainly important, but they are only part of the "basics."

The "Basic Skills" as defined by the School Around Us, assume that all things are connected. Listed in alphabetical order so as not to stress one over another:

Body Knowledge, for example:

•  Sports and games

•  Theater and dance

•  Anatomy and physiology

•  Spatial awareness

•  Physical challenges

Citizenship, for example:

•  Community service

•  Democratic process and consensus

•  Social, political and environmental awareness

•  Active involvement in community/civic issues

•  Ethics

•  Cross-cultural awareness

Communication, for example:

•  Reading , writing, speaking, storytelling

1. • Interpersonal skills: conflict resolution, facilitation, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and multiple     
   

    perspectives

•  Active listening

Creative Arts, for example:

•  Building and construction

•  Plays, puppets and mime

•  Creating videos, paintings, murals, etc.

•  Playing and listening to music, singing

•  Dancing and tumbling

Environmental Harmony, for example:

•  Gaining a sense of place and relationship within the environment

•  Practice reduce, reuse, recycle

•  Understand ecosystems and diversity

Logical Thinking, for example:

•  Mathematics and arithmetic

•  Problem recognition and solving

•  Science

•  Technology

•  Organization skills

•  Logic games, such as chess

Practical Life Skills, for example:

•  Cooking, cleaning, fixing, building

•  Handling money

•  Resource finding/using

•  Learning from mistakes

•  What people do in the adult world

Self Knowledge, for example:

•  Reflection

•  Exploring many ways of knowing

•  Taking responsibility for one's actions

•  Development of voice

•  Explore personal passions

•  Development of self-direction, self-discipline and self-motivation.

The goals and basics are not open to constant debate and change. How these goals are met from year to year is open to spirited debate, but not to the point of interfering with the work of the teachers and students. Finding balance between significant parent involvement and teacher/student autonomy is an ongoing adventure. It is important for parents to remember that when children enter the School Around Us, they begin the journey of building their own lives, separate but interwoven with their families. They must be allowed to find their own way, through good times and bad. Having faith in children's desire to learn, and respecting the way they choose to do so, balanced thoughtfully with adult guidance and supportive structures, is at the core of the daily work of the School.

It is our hope that when a child leaves the School Around Us they will have developed a set of ethics, social and environmental awareness, a strong sense of "the basics", and kindness of heart that will keep them in good stead as they continue to grow and explore the life they choose.

We welcome you to a true learning community!

schedule sample

Our schedule changes from year to year and as needed through out the year to accommodate special events, but this sample schedule will give you a good idea of what goes on on a daily basis.