Great Expectations

At Great Expectations School, we share the primary statutory purpose of improving all pupil learning and achievement with all charter schools. Additionally, our contract with our authorizer includes a commitment to encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods.

"One Child at a Time" Philosophy: Our educational philosophy centers around differentiated education. While the entire class addresses the same subject area, the process, content, or student product is tailored to the abilities, interests, or needs of each individual student. Lessons align with state academic standards and engage students meaningfully. By incorporating the concept of multiple intelligences, we better understand how each child learns most effectively, allowing us to creatively tailor teaching methods and activities to optimize learning opportunities and demonstrate understanding.

Parental Involvement: Parents are integral to GES as their child’s primary educators. Many are also engaged in various other ways, providing physical labor, sharing professional or personal expertise, or volunteering in the classroom. These efforts are essential to our success.

Environmental Engagement: From their earliest years, GES students are engaged with their environment. They ask questions, make and record observations, conduct experiments, and continually build creative and critical thinking skills. Science is a key focus as a means to understand the world around us, making learning relevant and connected to students’ lives and experiences. However, science is just one framework supporting this activity.

Integrated Curriculum: At GES, our gardening, greenhouse, and nutrition initiatives are woven through the curriculum, making environmental education a component of various academic disciplines. Math concepts such as measuring, calculating, and geometric formulas are part of garden planning. Studies of food production connect to global studies, generating learning in economics, geography, and culture. The opportunities for writing, drawing, and extending science-based inquiries are endless!

In Summary: Great Expectations School is dedicated to nurturing innovation and individual growth through a differentiated and integrated approach to education. By engaging students with their environment and involving parents in the learning process, we create a vibrant and dynamic educational community.