Learning

Our teachers, in collaboration with the student, parent, and local education agency, develop an individualized academic plan for each student. Our small class ratio with one teacher and one behavior specialist for every 8-9 students assures individualized support and academic progress.

The Charterhouse School is aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, and required SOL testing is coordinated with the LEA.

We use a variety of methods to enhance learning, from the scientific method to art appreciation to personal exploration. Movement in many forms - physical education, music, and drama - is used to develop all parts of the brain. Each area focuses on developmentally appropriate personal and interpersonal skills, as well as academics. Self-directed learning, social skills and service learning are incorporated into the curriculum.

We include learning by doing where you have the opportunity to be an active participant in the learning process. This may involve dramatizing Romeo and Juliet, nurturing plants in our greenhouse, building contraptions to learn about gravity or taking field trips to learn about the Civil War or the Holocaust.

One of the characteristics of our school is that student cohorts - or groups of 7-10 students – stay together throughout most of the school day. Core subjects, English, social studies, mathematics, and science are taught to the same group of students in their classroom. Rather than students moving from classroom to classroom, our teachers move to teach different groups of students.

When the group is scheduled for art, music, or PE, the group moves together to the classroom accompanied by their Behavior Specialist.

We use multi-age groups to encourage an alternative learning environment where students learn from each other. We believe that multi-aged groupings:

School-wide events, such as field day, plays, coffeehouse, winter party, etc. involve all students.

Once a month, our students participate in service learning projects such as Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity to give their time to help others and to practice social skills. We call these events Generosity Fridays.

Outcomes
 

Charterhouse School outcomes are published annually as part of the UMFS Outcomes Report. For the 2011 Outcomes Report in PDF format, please click here.