What is the independent school advantage?
Passionate Teachers
Faculty at independent schools teach their expertise and passion. With support and self-direction to customize their curriculum, teachers can hone into the needs of each students maximizing their motivation and interests.
High Academic Standards
Independent K-8 schools help to lay the foundation and prepare students for a multitude of high school and college opportunities. There is commitment to stimulating student's personal growth, nurturing their intellectual curiosity and encouraging critical thinking. Students develop a lifelong passion for and love of learning.
Mission Focused Education
The uniqueness of each independent school lies within its mission. Different philosophies, values and approaches to learning among schools help families choose an experience that best suits their student.
Small Class Sizes
Low teacher to student ratios means intimate classes. Smaller classes foster differentiated learning and close connections between both teachers and students.
Community
Independent schools welcome inclusive communities where each family is acknowledged, appreciated and respected.
Social & Emotional Intelligence
Social and emotional intelligence is an integral part of both education and human development. Independent schools emphasize teaching the ‘whole child’. In addition to academics, there is an emphasis to nurture personal and social growth as well as their civic conscience.
Home School Connection
Independent schools value the support and involvement care givers provide to their student's educational experience. There is strong communication amongst educators, care givers and students ensuring that everyone is collaborating on the shared goals of the student.
Five Questions to Ask Before Choosing a School
1. Does the mission of the school align with your family’s value system around education?
Schools have a way of looking similar, but Presentation’s mission and graduate outcomes speak specifically to how, what and why we do things. Our program is academically rigorous with an integrated curriculum that focuses on collaboration, creativity and reaching a student's individual potential. Our small class sizes allow students to dig deep, solve problems, create questions and showcase learning. Our Catholic values bring our faith-filled community together in forms of service to others and our own school.
2. What is the likelihood that your child will be known, loved, and appropriately challenged within this environment?
At Presentation School your child is known, by every teacher, student, faculty and parent. The relationships that we are able to build within our school community are a critical component of our outstanding education. Each child is an individual learner, with interests, talents, challenges and experiences that make their education story unique. Knowing each student and fostering a relationship is the foundation for a strong and challenging academic school life.
3. Can I see this school as a part of my family’s life for the future?
Sending your child to Presentation School is a large commitment. Families join our community for 9 years and more. Being comfortable and finding the fit that works for your child and your family is key. Parents are partners in the education process of each student. Communication, involvement and a sense of pride in the school are key elements to making the partnership work well. To that end, we offer consistent opportunity for parent education and collaboration, and we welcome parent involvement in a variety of volunteer capacities. We take pride in and value the fact that we are, truly, a family school.
4. Do you have a good sense of where the school is headed in the future? Will it continue to evolve as students needs change?
From the board of directors down The Presentation School is committed to the confidence in our current practices with the understanding that we are always willing to challenge ourselves to further the development of our teachings and programing. We are a student-centered school and as our students change, technology evolves and practices become outdated we strive to remain ahead of the curve and in sync with the students on our campus. Our educators are learners, through workshops, professional development, and visiting guest we know that mastery of our skills will forever be a work in process.
5. What does your “gut” say about the decision?
At the end of the day, it is the overall comfort level and “fit” of a school that matters most. If you can imagine your child being happy and well-served in a particular environment, and if that environment feels right on an intuitive level, it is generally a very good indicator of the right choice. If your gut says “yes,” pay attention. Likewise, if you have lingering worry or concern about the basic fit between your family and the school, it is worth pursuing further in order to identify and reconcile any remaining questions.