Integration & Connections
Integrated Studies Program
Everything is connected - in life and in learning. At its basic level, our integrated studies program combines curriculum for two or more subjects, allowing students to see how ideas are connected to arrive at more meaningful and authentic understanding. With this approach, students are motivated to learn, engaged in their learning, retain their knowledge, and are better able to think critically and collaborate. Within this academic approach, we intentionally create content and conversations around our initiatives in diversity and inclusion, and child well- being, whether it is building the capacity for empathic listening using Whole Body Listening,or teaching a gender-inclusive lesson on the reproductive system that includes concepts of human rights and freedom of expression.
Our teachers do not rely on textbooks to set the curriculum. With the Missouri Learning Standards as our base, teachers and students build the curriculum together each year. Student interests are incorporated into in-depth, cross-curricular studies, and vertically connect the grade levels for continuity and depth. Teachers draw from a variety of sources and influences, including elements of teaching found in Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms, and build on educational theories from Project Zero, Howard Gardner and others.
With our low student-teacher ratio (maximum 12:1), teachers are also able to genuinely know each student as a learner, and help them build on their strengths at an individual level as they work to form a classroom community. Trimester evaluations provide an in-depth assessment of student progress toward goals and standards, as well as narratives about student growth, both academic and social-emotional. Students are active participants in their mid-year conference, presenting their progress and goals to their parents and teachers, and forming strategies and supports together.
Early Elementary Years: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade
We recognize that young children learn through active engagement with high-content, meaningful and multi-sensory materials. All classroom experiences encourage student independence, involvement and active participation in their learning. Subjects include Math and Literacy as well as Strings (violin), Studio Arts, Performing Arts, Culinary Arts, STEAM and Physical Education. The depth and breadth of these components varies by grade (age group), with all subjects tying back to building foundational skills in literacy and mathematics.
The focus in the early grades is on social-emotional learning, as well as academics. Teachers plan lessons explicitly teaching students about self-regulation and classroom expectations, as well as incorporate a strong focus on teamwork, trust, leadership, problem-solving and responsibility throughout the day.
Upper Elementary Years: 3rd Grade through 5th Grade
With strong foundations in literacy and math, as well as a toolbox of social-emotional learning form the early grades, upper grade students are able to shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Projects in science and social studies become more in-depth and complex and students work in teams and small groups throughout the day. At the same time, learning in the core curriculum is individualized, with more choice of writing topics, book groups and math enrichment projects.
Partnerships with younger classrooms provide mentorship opportunities, and outdoor education is expanded from field trips and planting at the Outdoor Classroom to camping trips in 4th and 5th grades tied into studies of the natural world. Upper grade students take on leadership and performance roles, helping prepare lunches based on their learning from Nutrition, and having the opportunity to perform with the Soulard Strings Ensemble at public concerts.