Austin EcoSchoolinspired learning

We seek to nurture in our children a joyful understanding of themselves as important members of their communities, to empower them to think creatively and critically, and to foster practices that reflect our belief that each person has an important role in protecting the environment and building a positive future. We model and encourage constructive behavior, use positive redirection, and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution.

Designed to make learning natural, relevant, and lasting, the Austin EcoSchool curriculum is cross-disciplinary and theme-based, encompassing Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, and Music.

Each week culminates with educational games on Village Day. Role-playing immerses children in an interactive historical adventure that challenges them to solve problems as a group. In the Game of Village children explore the world at large by creating a world in miniature.

Austin EcoSchool's curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and exploration. Rather than adopting and adhering to any one educational philosophy, we chose to integrate a wide range of successful educational strategies that support individual learning styles and interests. This educational system has married intellectual training with the development of the child's physical, creative, and moral capacities.

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLANS

Individualized Learning Plans are built around the development of basic skills, curriculum themes and areas of student interest. Multi-age classrooms with a maximum of 8-10 students foster continuous progress. The students at Austin EcoSchool develop a strong foundation in academics, while learning to gather and evaluate information, identify and understand relationships, master critical thinking skills and communicate effectively and meaningfully.

OUR TEACHERS

In our teachers, we seek experience with multiple alternative curriculums and programs, as well as traditional degreed educational expertise. Our teachers acknowledge and respect the natural gifts of each person, encouraging and challenging students to achieve their fullest human potential.

We understand that children's school experiences are a very big part of their lives. They will keep these memories and learning lessons throughout their lives.

Here at Austin EcoSchool, we strive to meet each child where they are, and guide them gently toward their potential. Every child deserves to have individual attention from a teacher.

Noncompetitive activities, both individual and team, build development of trust and respect.

By creating an ecologically sound school environment that promotes the interconnection of the whole child - physical, personal, social, intellectual, spiritual, and ethical - along with a deep connection to wider community, we seek to give students the life-long love of learning, creative thinking, a sympathetic interest in the world, self-confidence, and an abiding moral purpose. In essence, we endeavor to develop free human beings, who are able to give purpose and direction to their own lives.

ECOLOGICALLY SOUND

Austin EcoSchool students learn and play in an environment that is free from chemical toxins typically found in cleansers, paint, flooring, and more. From chemicals to teaching methods, we are, as a school and as a community, committed to minimizing the toxic influences that might exist in a learning environment.