Windrush School - Where Minds Flourish
Home > Progressive Principles
Progressive Principles

1) The best way to prepare young people for the intellectual demands of real-world problem-solving is through a challenging program that requires them to navigate uncertainty, grapple with complex ideas, develop intellectual resilience, experience meaningful application, and discover myriad solutions. To this end:

  • Subject-matter standards are high to challenge students to reach for excellence. They also strategically position students to succeed in competitive academic environments.
  • Curricula are integrated and connected so that learning experiences mirror how people work together in real-life contexts.
  • Complete understanding of student achievement and success comes only through diverse and rigorous evaluation. Assessment is based on projects, productions, portfolios, scores and grades, as well as universal, standardized assessment methods and measures.
  • The entire school experience reflects the understanding that students learn best in settings that ask them to think both independently and through shared experience.
  • Subject matter is durable over time in recognition that the content learned now will be applied in ever-changing future contexts.

2) Students and teachers acquire and apply knowledge in a variety of ways. Developing and honing multiple capabilities not only enhances and deepens the teaching and learning experience, but provides an advantage over peers who have been taught in single-faceted educational environments. Collaboration and cooperation are central in teaching and learning. A full educational program must include the development of social and emotional skills.

3) Students, families and educators come from a range of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Teaching and learning must take place within a context that not only recognizes and affirms diversity, but engages in complex conversations and actions that are connected to the democratic principles of social justice, fairness and equality. An emphasis on dialogue, partnership and compassion serves as a means of preparing students to live ethically.

4) Democracy at its best requires its citizens to take meaningful action and make positive contributions through socially-responsible civic engagement. Core educational programs must embrace community mindfulness and service learning to prepare students to be effective community contributors.