Philosophy

We see our school as a diverse community where:

• Children are given the space and time to learn and the encouragement to succeed.
• Students develop academic, behavioral, and personal tools that enable them to thrive in different environments. The curriculum is connected to or grounded in real life experiences.
• It is creative, multi-cultural, community-based, and centered on experiential learning through thematic curricula.

GreenMount students develop tools and strategies that enable them to succeed just about anywhere.

Students are challenged to apply their skills within multidisciplinary, real-world activities. They learn how to draw on what they already know, plan ahead for complex projects, conduct research, sort out differing viewpoints, and work responsibly within a team. Best of all, perhaps, they learn to trust in their own abilities and resourcefulness.

GreenMount students are part of a small and welcoming community.

We are a small school. Teachers get a chance to really know the students, and the students get to know and learn from each other. On Fridays, students gather with their assigned “buddies” from other grade levels for activities designed to build community and gain self-awareness. We see every day as an opportunity to learn about patience, compromise, respect, and mutual understanding.

GreenMount students are empowered to make good decisions.

Making good choices and accepting personal responsibility are interwoven into the GreenMount curriculum. Students reflect on their own behavior, acknowledge their own strengths and opportunities for growth, and recognize the power of their words and actions.

Parent involvement underpins every child’s success in the classroom.

We see our students’ families as vital partners in the educational process. Parent involvement at home and at school supports the instructional program directly, and it also sends a clear message to students about the value of education.

Education is more than schoolwork.

Learning becomes more meaningful for children when they can connect their in-school and out-of-school experiences. Frequent field trips, community service, visiting artists and experts, and (for eighth-graders) the Immersion Trip all contribute to the GreenMount educational experience.