Intimate Family-Like Atmosphere
Consider this: a homeschool experience outside the home, where children from different families come together. In this close-knit environment, students build stronger connections with their peers and teachers, fostering greater confidence in expressing their ideas and embracing challenges.
Student-Centered Personalized Learning
Students have the freedom to advance through the curriculum at their own pace, spending more time on challenging concepts while moving forward when they feel ready. Literacy and Math concepts are taught through individualized instruction and small groups tailored to each student's needs rather than standardized age-based grades. Learning groups are dynamic, allowing for adjustments as needed based on the skills or concepts being taught and evolving student needs.
Multi-Age Environment
Reasons why mixed-age grouping supports students:
-
Academic competition is removed from the classroom.
-
Students are not labeled according to ability.
-
The pace of learning is individualized.
-
Students develop a sense of family at school.
-
Students are viewed as unique individuals.
-
Self-esteem blossoms.
-
Students develop real-world social skills.
-
Older students are given more opportunities to learn by teaching and leading.
Nature-Based Learning Experiences
Outdoor learning experiences are scientifically proven to have many benefits. Outdoor learning experiences support holistic development of children, develop self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem, provide positive health benefits and develop a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Process over Product
Learning is often a messy and gradual process that doesn’t fit into the rigidness of traditional grading systems. At McFalls Academy, students are provided a balance of structure and spontaneity where they can make choices about their learning within healthy boundaries.
We value the lessons learned and experiences gained from the processes that students take to reach learning goals as much as the accomplishments themselves. Students are free to enjoy the journey without the pressure of letter grades or standardized tests increasing the likelihood that they will develop a lifelong love for learning.