Student-centered Education
Where individual choice drives the experience of learning
Student-centered Education
Where individual choice drives the experience of learning
Progressive Education at Catlin Gabel
Progressive education places students at the center of the educational experience, where they are encouraged to pursue their interests and exercise their natural curiosity. In this way, children become active learners, as teachers guide them to discover the pleasures and rewards of education and develop into adults for whom learning is a lifelong pursuit.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a process by which students learn through a cycle of direct experience, reflection, analysis, and experimentation. It encourages deep learning, inspires personal growth, and promotes active citizenship.
- Student-directed, teacher-guided, student-choice
- Students apply knowledge and skills
- Trial and error, and failure as part of the learning process
- Authentic purpose and meaning-making in real world context
- Rubric and demonstration-based assessments
- Opportunities to reflect and make sense of the experience
Teaching the Whole Child
Teaching the whole child means knowing and nurturing individual children and designing learning opportunities that honor and develop their full identities so they can thrive now as children and grow into happy and fulfilled adults.
- Teacher curiosity and interest in students’ whole selves
- Children and families are known and valued
- Safe and trusting relationships are nurtured
- Differentiated and responsive approaches with opportunities for student-directed learning
- Children are represented in the curriculum, in the classroom, and in the adults on campus
- Growth and support of students’ physical, emotional, academic, ethical, and interpersonal skills is cultivated
- Opportunities are provided for children to learn in a variety of settings and modalities
Inquiry Based
Inquiry based education incorporates student questions, fosters curiosity, and fuels the desire to keep learning. It’s based on the belief that asking good questions leads to success and happiness more than having all the answers.
- Creative, multiple perspectives, and original thinking
- Generative (students generate questions and paths to pursue them)
- Iterative process through which students learn
- Reflective (analyze outcomes and process, incorporate into next learning cycle)
Educating for Democracy
Educating for democracy equips students with the mindset and skills to increase their self-awareness and understanding of complex issues, with the goal of taking responsible action in their communities.
- Creative, multiple perspectives, and original thinking
- Generative (students generate questions and paths to pursue them)
- Iterative process through which students learn
- Reflective (analyze outcomes and process, incorporate into next learning cycle)
- Fostering empathy and awareness of others, including those with differing experiences and viewpoints
- Developing a sense of agency and voice
- Building the knowledge and skills necessary to be informed, participatory, and engaged community members
- Engaging in discourse about power and privilege
Critical Thinking
Fostering Critical Thinking Skills with Structure and Freedom
by Sia Haralampus, Beginning School Kindergarten Teacher
From a young age, children are capable of thinking critically and deeply about their world. Developmentally, their primary task is to figure out the patterns of the world, to gather information, and to make connections.
Responsible Action
Participating in the Life of the Country
by David Ellenberg, 8th Grade History Teacher
Educating for democracy is at the heart of much social studies teaching, and it’s where I start with 8th graders in the fall of each year. Regardless of previous topics they’ve confronted, pieces of history they've learned and forgotten, or the political leanings of their families, all young people need to understand their rights, and to consider the responsibilities of citizenship.
Read MoreSpirit of Inquiry
Authentic Exploration and Original Thinking
by Aline Garcia-Rubio '93, Head of Upper School
In teaching through inquiry, teachers recognize our students’ desire to engage in a life of rich thinking and applied understanding. They thus design and refine courses that aim to build skills and knowledge while inspiring students’ curiosity and enjoyment of learning.
Creativity
Using Creativity to Triumph Over Adversity
by Bob Sauer, Upper School Science Teacher
There is great joy and satisfaction in creatively solving problems, gaining insight into the way the world works, and figuring out how to fully integrate oneself into its marvelous machinery. I model and foster this attitude and behavior for students in the classroom when I can, but it really comes in to play beyond the confines of the campus.
Athletics
Many Factors at Play
by Ken DuBois, Editor
Athletic pursuits at Catlin Gabel are encouraged as part of the whole child approach to education, and students embrace the opportunity: Over 80% of Middle School students and close to 70% of Upper School students participate on Catlin Gabel teams. They like to compete, and they play to win.