• Responsive Classroom provides the underlying foundation of all that we do each and every day. It is a nationally acclaimed approach to teaching and learning, which is founded upon the belief that the social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum, and that the best learning takes place when children live in a school environment that is kind, safe, respectful, and predictable. 

    There are seven principles that guide this approach:

    1. The social and emotional curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum.
    2. How children learn is as important as what they learn.
    3. Great cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.
    4. To be successful academically and socially, children need to learn a set of social and emotional skills that include cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.
    5. Knowing the children we teach—individually, culturally, and developmentally—is as important as knowing the content we teach.
    6. Knowing the families of the children we teach is as important as knowing the children we teach.
    7. How we, the adults at school, work together is as important as our individual competence.  Lasting change begins with the adult community.
    Our teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom's 10 practical strategies that bring social and academic learning together throughout the school day. Our Responsive School Team of mentor teachers, administration and support staff from across our school provides support to staff on best Responsive Classroom practices.
     

    RESPONSIVE SCHOOLS READING: