Our Principles
Mastery School students take part in learning common subjects such as Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, but they participate in much more as well.
During the 7:30am-4:10pm school day, students take part in hands-on, cooperative learning where they develop understanding by exploring the world around them and asking questions. Students demonstrate mastery of the material they have learned through creative projects and presentations rather than standardized testing.
At Mastery School we value families and the time they spend together. Our extended day is included in the base tuition and learning takes place throughout our entire day. Students are offered religion, recorder lessons, and tutoring. With our longer time on learning, we encourage families to spend the rest of the evening together instead of struggling over homework.
Students also enjoy art, music, gym and science lab experiments. All aspects of learning are meant to be enjoyable and we make it our priority to mix hard work with fun. Our students experience a high rate of success with individualized attention when they need it, and the opportunity to show off their independence when they are ready. No child is expected to learn as quickly as another child, and no child is expected to slow down to benefit others. Each child is an individual and treated as such at Mastery School of Independent Learning.
All people, adults included, have different learning styles. Some of us prefer visuals, while others are more kinesthetic hands-on learners. Our model encourages students to learn which ever way suits them. Each module includes activities that meet the needs of all learning styles.
We start each module with the WHY? Students need to discover meaning, a reason to learn the material, and to reflect on their experience. Next, we work on the WHAT? Here students work with images and definitions that help explain what they need to know and what information can be offered. This is where direct instruction from the facilitator happens. We are not taking out, what we know as traditional teaching but adding other aspects in order to reach ALL of the students learning styles and needs. Then we move into the HOW? In this section students try and extend what they have learned. Students may work in groups or individually. They may play games, work on worksheets, experiment, invent, and try out what they have learned. These are hands-on activities and skill building. During this part they also reflect on what they have learned and write about it. Finally, we end our module with the WHAT IF? Here students refine their skills and share what they have learned through a project.
Another integral aspect of our curriculum is the creation of an Individualized Learning Plan for all students. An ILP is a tool that our facilitators use to monitor student achievement by identifying strengths and weaknesses and applying research-based interventions based on those needs. The main premise that guides our ILP is that the needs of our students are different and must be addressed differently.