Teaching & Learning Philosophy
We have intentionally shaped our curriculum and pedagogy around a Progressive educational philosophy. Progressive education is a reaction to the traditional style of teaching. It's a pedagogical movement that values experience over learning facts at the expense of understanding what is being taught. At Park, our focus is on these four primary dimensions:
Experiential Learning.
Our students are routinely presented with hands-on lessons that foster "learning by doing," and are often asked rigorous questions that challenge them to make true meaning of and to deeply understand what they are learning.
Our education takes place in and out of the classroom, utilizing every last foot of our 34-acre campus and its playing fields, playgrounds, pond, and ecology centers as learning tools.
Respect For the Individual.
We are a wonderfully inclusive and joyful community in which all students find ways to actively contribute to the life of the School. We pride ourselves on the depth and quality of individual attention each student receives, as well as the collective relationships we all enjoy.
Sense of Community.
Our ‘Life Rules’ of respect, responsibility, honesty, and kindness permeate our interactions and curriculum - from our youngest learners to our faculty and staff. This fosters a sense of community and caring for one another, each and every day.
Active Learning for Life.
We prepare students to be active learners for life, starting with their transition to college. We believe that college and work are not destinations in and of themselves, but rather formative experiences in living a meaningful life.
