FAQ
Will my child feel comfortable moving from a Montessori preschool to The Cooper School?
Your child has already learned a lot about making choices, working independently, working cooperatively and learning in a whole class setting. In addition, your child has spent years as an active learner engaged in meaningful work across the disciplines. Your child will continue to grow in these areas at The Cooper School.
Tell me about your combined Kindergarten/First Grade classroom for 2010/2011.
The Kindergarten /First Grade (K1) curriculum is a two year curriculum that evolves from students’ needs, interests, and imagination. It is a spiraling curriculum that allows for a range of developmental stages and chronological ages. If your child is joining this class during the First Grade Cycle, they will find the work challenging and interesting. If your child is joining the class during the Kindergarten Cycle, they will find the work developmentally appropriate and engaging. Children who are in the K1 class for two years will be exploring new units of study and extending units of study each year.
Download our PDF to find out more.
How would my child transition to a traditional school?
Academically, children will be prepared to use the skills and learning strategies they have learned and practiced throughout their school experience. When children deeply understand these skills and strategies because they have been given the opportunity to employ them frequently and in meaningful applications, they are able to transfer this learning to other learning situations. In short, students have the tools to conduct learning in traditional paper/ pencil format as well as extended workshop and project environments. Often, children who move from strong, progressive schools to traditional schools feel that they are moving from challenging, interesting work to easy, close-ended work experiences that they are able to complete quickly and successfully.
If there is a grade 1 and a combination class in 2008, what grades will be available in future years?
The Cooper School will grow by one grade each year. The fall of 2008, The Cooper School offered grades 1, and a combination class for Elementary students in grades 2, 3, and 4. In 2009/2010 school year there will be a grade 1, grade 2, and a combination class for grades 3, 4, and 5. In future years grades 1-5 will be offered as individual classes and the oldest students will be in a combination class.
Will the school provide snack and lunch?
Snack is provided by the student families. This is an opportunity to eat as a community and to share food preferences with the school community. In keeping with the school’s desire to provide a nurturing environment for children, we ask that this snack be healthy. Students also grow, harvest and make their own snacks. Families are asked to provide nutritious lunches for their individual children.
What are the school hours?
The school day begins at 8:00 and ends at 3:00.
