The school has three Kindergarten classes, two classes in each of the 2nd-8th grades. Class sizes are 24 students for each Kindergarten, 26 students for each class in grades one through four, and 27 students for each class in grades 5th-8th class. Class teachers typically stay with the same class through the course of several grade levels, enabling a strong understanding of the students and their progress.

Each elementary school child (grades 1-8) begins and ends the school day with an individual greeting and a firm handshake from the Class Teacher. Teachers often say with students for several years.

This continuity enables a deep understanding of each student’s strengths and challenges and supports the development of a rich social dynamic in the class. The class teacher is also able to bring continuity to the curriculum as well, unifying the various disciplines over the years. At the same time, working with new subject matter at every grade level inspires class teachers with enthusiasm.

The morning Main Lesson immerses the students in a particular academic subject of the curriculum over three or four weeks, and each child produces a hand written and illustrated Main Lesson book for each subject. The class teacher works with each child to draw out the child’s strengths and focus on areas in need of improvement.

With the Waldorf-Inspired method, the class teacher involves the children in the subject through the following methods:

• Presentation
• Story Telling
• Writing
• Reading
• Recitation
• Dramatic Acting
• Painting
• Drawing
• Movement

Throughout the lesson, the teacher amplifies the subject matter and the students add to their Main Lesson books. The involvement of the students in the Main Lesson develops active listening, imagination, memory and verbal skills.

Students are evaluated through comprehensive written reports sent to parents at the end of the school year. Grades and traditional report cards are not given, however, formal parent/teacher conferences are held twice in the school year providing a detailed progress report for each student. Benchmark testing is administered in each grade and students take the California standardized test each spring.

Teaching methods include:

• Teacher-led explicit instruction.
• Student discovery.
• Group work and independent practice.
• Peer study groups.
• Structured and guided practice.
• Regular assessment and re-teaching as necessary.

Assessment Tools:

• Benchmark tests
• Standardized tests
• In class tests and quizzes
• Portfolios
• Observation/evaluation
• Self-evaluation
• Group projects

Special points of interest:

• Teachers may stay with their class from grade to grade, however, most loop up only with the lower grades or upper grades.
• Handwork and Spanish instruction begins in grade one.
• Norm referenced state standardized tests are administered in compliance with state law.
• The curriculum and deep learning approach prepares students well for high school. Students attend their local high school, a private high school such as York, or a program such as MAOS at Monterey High School.