At The Rhoades School, we believe receiving an education is a very personal and unique experience. We all have different interests, talents, thoughts, and opinions. There are topics and domains we love to explore, and those we would prefer to move through as quickly as possible. That’s why an education that is truly personalized for each student—and for the whole student—offers them a unique advantage today.
Individualized Learning for the Whole Student
When we say we personalize learning to the “whole student,” we mean our focus is not just on their academics. In addition to building skills in math, science, writing and social studies, they are also developing their social-emotional learning. They’re honing their leadership skills, sharpening their communication and collaboration skills, and growing their drive to learn beyond the classroom. All of these are interconnected.
For example, a student’s level of confidence in themselves and their abilities will impact their performance on a math test, just as their ability to interact and partner with a group of peers will affect their group projects, and so on. Educating the whole child as an individual to reach their full potential is our goal with each and every student.
How do we accomplish this level of individualized learning? In class, our teachers use a collection of research-based models to guide their instruction, all of which take into account the various learning strengths and challenges of students. For example, our use of Thinking Maps allows students to create visual representations of their thought patterns in a structure that works for them as they learn new material and process new ideas. By encouraging students to connect new concepts to their existing knowledge and find their own frame of reference, we open the door to individual understanding that cannot be replicated solely by lectures and textbooks.
Leadership and Creative Expression
To further personalize our approach, we encourage our students to take a leadership role in their education. As early as Grade 4, our students lead conferences, beginning by setting individualized goals with their teachers at the start of each school year. Instead of the traditional parent-teacher conferences, our students meet with their teachers and parents and take the lead by presenting their portfolios. They not only provide evidence of their learning journey, but they review the process they went through, as an individual, to reach their goals.
As students experience personalized learning within the classroom, we extend that to school-wide events and opportunities for expression. Our student-led assemblies provide time to reflect inward and reinforce our mission. These are designed for students to celebrate their voices and the role they have in their educational journey. Students have performed skits to express the life lessons they learned in projects, delved into the Habits of Mind we use to promote living courageously, and more. Our middle school students have a variety of clubs, including theater, film, Girl Rising, Spanish Games, Poetry Club, and more to further expand their horizons and options for exploration.
We value the connections formed at our school and the lifelong lessons we learn with our students. By recognizing each individual and leading them to raise themselves to new heights, we support our students to think deeply and live creatively.
Learn more about The Rhoades School by joining us for our Virtual Parent Information Session on March 28, or visit RhoadesSchool.com.
