By Janna
Outlaw, Head of School
Being a small school is one thing, but being a
small school by intent is another. The advantages are
abundant! St. Andrew’s has one focus, filled with opportunities
and life lessons.
The most frequent question from our families is,
“Why don’t we expand to middle and high school?” We pride
ourselves on educating the elementary school aged child.
Especially in an age where one-stop shopping is convenient
— and as a parent of multiple children, I understand this
concept — it seems intuitive to ask “Why not?” Still, I
would beg to differ for many reasons that convenience is
not everything.
Focusing solely on the elementary aged child allows
us to concentrate on a single area of education. Therefore,
we spend all our time refining our craft, expanding our
knowledge in a circumscribed area of expertise. We dedicate
ourselves to providing a strong foundation during the most
formative years of our students’ lives.
As the world has become fast-paced and busy, with
both parents often leading demanding professional lives, our
small focus has become even more intentional. Small class
sizes allow for more one-on-one attention and individualized
instruction.
At St. Andrew’s, our teachers are able to hone
in on a student’s special gifts, talents, creativity and
individuality. This builds close student-teacher relationships that
foster trust, courage and confidence at an early age.
Students can face challenges in a safe environment where
their teachers and peers are ready to pick them up, dust
them off and encourage them to keep trying.
Expectations are high, with the right amount of
nurturing along the way. Our teachers easily adapt lesson
plans and tailor their teaching styles to meet the varied
learning styles of their students.
The leadership opportunities available in a small
school, especially one that focuses on the elementary aged
child, allow for opportunities to lead at an early age.
Throughout a child’s time at St. Andrew’s, beginning as
early as PreK3, students share leadership responsibilities.
From year to year, students’ leadership opportunities increase
as they grow developmentally.
Students are able to speak publicly at a very
early age both within and outside the classroom. Every
student is able to lead a community service project with
his or her class each year. Leadership opportunities include
public speaking, community service, technology projects, various
performances, solos, patrol duties, assisting little ones, making school-wide announcements and much more.
One extremely important life lesson is that of
transition. Because we focus solely on the elementary aged
child, there is a distinct advantage to changing schools as
children develop. Learning to make new friends and adjusting
to a new environment are lessons we all need to acquire
before heading off to college. Transitioning is a life lesson
that can only be learned hands-on.
Making those transitions multiple times in life
gives a child the opportunity to learn how to accustom
himself or herself to new surroundings, socialize with a widening
circle of friends and figure out which techniques work for
new environments. Transitioning also takes the child out of
his or her comfort zone, thus encouraging risk-taking — both
of which create confidence and independence.
Working to educate the whole child during the
formative years to provide a solid foundation that is
challenging, without distractions, is a gift from which every
child benefits. Although our school is small, our students
are successful in their next life phases. They have
opportunities to grow without the influence of older students
whom younger students may not be ready quite yet to
encounter developmentally. Our adult world is sufficiently
fast-paced that we remain small at St. Andrew’s by intent
to ensure confidence, independence, leadership, individuality and
risk-taking with one focus, preparing elementary students for
all the successive phases of life.
Learn more here: www.standrewsepiscopalschool.com/blog/
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