Curriculum and Activities

Individualized curriculums are created together by the student, parents and teachers. Special emphasis is put on the academics, emotional needs, problem-solving skills, hands-on experience and field trips. Basic skills, such as math, reading and writing, are taught in small classes of two to four students or on an individual basis. Students are grouped by their ability and interests, rather than by grade level. On a daily basis, the students come together in a group circle for discussion, to make plans and to solve problems. Students are given ample opportunity for unstructured play and to choose their own activities - be it fantasy or a project of their own design.

The students work on many activities as a group. Special classes are available to the students including farming, cooking, Spanish, archaeology, music, art, nature studies, woodworking, computer literacy, theater and others as determined by student interest and skills found among the parents, teachers and community.

There are field trips in the local community and overnight trips to places in our region. We visit people from other cultures in places like Akwesasne, Ottawa and Montreal. Annually, we attend the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools conference held at different schools across the country. Students have an opportunity to do community service, such as assisting an elderly neighbor or raising money for a food drive.