Inside the Classroom
"A child is mysterious and powerful,
and contains within himself the secret of human nature."
- Maria Montessori
We believe that a school, like the growing child, must be alive and constantly evolving. At Oneness-Family School, we are committed to continually improving our programs, expanding our knowledge, and incorporating the best new ideas into our class offerings.
 We offer a multi-age classroom environment, where the students are grouped together in the following classes: preschool through kindergarten; first through third grades; fourth through sixth grades; and seventh through eighth grades. We believe the continuity of staying with one teacher for several years provides an environment of consistency and personalized attention, enhanced by the development of a long-term parent-teacher-student relationship. The Montessori classroom also provides students academic flexibility by allowing them to work at their own degree of readiness. For instance, a student might accelerate in some subjects and work at grade level in others.
At the Oneness-Family School, we offer small class sizes for individual attention. Our classes are balanced with respect to gender and age among each classroom. The Little Stars Program for 2-year-olds has a 6:1 student to teacher ratio. The preschool through grade 8 offers a 12:1 student to teacher ratio. Students in the multi-age classrooms are grouped according to age and level and move through a variety of subjects (ie: foreign language, music, art, movement, P.E.) together during the day.
In Academy, we strive to make learning fun and meaningful so that students will become self-motivated learners. They study the traditional academic subjects through hands-on materials, classroom presentations, specialist instructors, and frequent field trips. While giving consideration to the students' individual learning styles and particular interests, teachers impart an understanding of how the different subjects are related to each other and applied in the real world. In a colorful, competition-free arena, each student is challenged to reach his or her own potential.
Self-Discovery helps students move toward greater awareness and mastery of themselves. Within the arts, athletics, lively discussions, and self-reflection they develop their imagination and individuality. Participation in these activities strengthens their self-respect, cooperation skills, and creative courage. Self-Discovery opens their conscious minds to new experiences and to their own potential.
Manifestation is the focused expression of the students' work in Academy and Self-Discovery. Performances, field projects, classroom displays, school fairs, and outreach programs are some of the many ways they use their skills, energy, and insights.
The students gain a sense of competence and achievement, and learn to see themselves as valuable contributors to the community.
Nature and out-of-classroom activities play an important role at the Oneness-Family School. Frequent field trips make use of the abundant natural and cultural resources of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. We are committed to making time for physical fitness and relaxation, as essential parts of all-around well-being. Weather permitting, faculty and students are outdoors every day, taking part in games and non-competitive sports. All of the classes give daily time to centering activities such as yoga and silent reflection.
Importance is placed on interaction between the different age levels at the school. Older students learn through teaching and assisting younger children at work and in their play. The younger students benefit from interacting with the older students, both in their learning and in their self-esteem.
The Five Pillars of the Curriculum
Provide students with the academic and life skills they will need to successfully live, work and achieve their goals.
Guide them toward a deeper knowledge of themselves - their strengths, interests, values, feelings, and aspirations.
Empower them in the realistic, creative, and harmonious expression of their own visions.
Instill in them a broad understanding of and respect for, the world and its diverse cultures.
Nurture their appreciation for life itself, and for all living things. |
SELF-DISCOVERY: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
