Lynnhaven primed me for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in college, at work and in life.
-Lynnhaven Alumnus & Christopher Newport University Student
What is progressive education? |
The term "progressive education" has been used to describe ideas and practices that aim to make schools more effective agencies of a democratic society. Although there are numerous differences of style and emphasis among progressive educators, they share the conviction that democracy means active participation by all citizens in social, political, and economic decisions that will affect their lives.
The education of engaged citizens, according to this perspective, involves two essential elements:
Called “the fathers of progressive education” John Dewey and Col. Francis Wayland Parker believed educators should organize schools to meet society's needs by engaging students along paths of inquiry, generated in part by their own interests and curiosities. Lynnhaven educates students based on his philosophy by igniting a lifelong passion for learning and making school more interesting and meaningful by providing students with opportunities to learn through real experiences in the world and nourishing students’ abilities to communicate, participate and collaborate in a diverse community of learners with each other and their teachers.
The education of engaged citizens, according to this perspective, involves two essential elements:
- Respect for diversity, meaning that each individual should be recognized for his or her own abilities, interests, ideas, needs, and cultural identity.
- The development of critical, socially engaged intelligence enables individuals to understand and participate effectively in their community's affairs in a collaborative effort to achieve a common good.
Called “the fathers of progressive education” John Dewey and Col. Francis Wayland Parker believed educators should organize schools to meet society's needs by engaging students along paths of inquiry, generated in part by their own interests and curiosities. Lynnhaven educates students based on his philosophy by igniting a lifelong passion for learning and making school more interesting and meaningful by providing students with opportunities to learn through real experiences in the world and nourishing students’ abilities to communicate, participate and collaborate in a diverse community of learners with each other and their teachers.
Our Curriculum
Education at Lynnhaven is not about a classroom and four walls. Our curriculum is based on the latest learning science and interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for college, careers and life. Using agile methodologies, faculty will support students through interdisciplinary project-based learning. The content of our courses is like no other school. Your student might choose projects such as “The Science of Superheroes,” “Cities of the Future” or “Banned Books”! Each project is informed by the expertise of our world-class full-time faculty and designed to be engaging, authentic and relevant to today’s world. In project-based learning, failure is an essential part of the process. When students persevere until they succeed, they truly grow.
There are three (3) components to the Lynnhaven curriculum:
Active Learning
Students learn best when they are actively involved through researching, investigating, discussing, creating, solving problems, defending their beliefs, and more. In our agile classrooms, students take responsibility for their own learning. They engage with problems, tools, and ideas, as well as peers and teachers. To support this, teachers create and use curricula that include ample opportunities to learn actively and work on meaningful projects, provide options that let students make choices, and employ flexible pacing strategies.
Mastery Journey
At Lynnhaven, skills development is woven into all aspects of the learning experience. At other schools, students focus primarily on what they need to know (or memorize) to demonstrate learning on tests. At Lynnhaven, students gain academic knowledge through their work to develop skills. Our academic calendar is divided into two (2) semester, during which students take a selection of courses to explore specific topics and skills. Instead of lectures and textbooks, learning may involve Socratic discussions, real-world projects, labs or other active learning formats.
Essential Experiences
Lynnhaven's essential experiences include, service, micro-electives, field trips, and our expeditionary programs (Voyager and Camp Lynnhaven) are invaluable and immeasurable opportunities to develop qualities which people should progress toward throughout life.
CORE CLASSES
All students experience the core curriculum at Lynnhaven School. They consist of the Practical and Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and English.
There are three (3) components to the Lynnhaven curriculum:
Active Learning
Students learn best when they are actively involved through researching, investigating, discussing, creating, solving problems, defending their beliefs, and more. In our agile classrooms, students take responsibility for their own learning. They engage with problems, tools, and ideas, as well as peers and teachers. To support this, teachers create and use curricula that include ample opportunities to learn actively and work on meaningful projects, provide options that let students make choices, and employ flexible pacing strategies.
Mastery Journey
At Lynnhaven, skills development is woven into all aspects of the learning experience. At other schools, students focus primarily on what they need to know (or memorize) to demonstrate learning on tests. At Lynnhaven, students gain academic knowledge through their work to develop skills. Our academic calendar is divided into two (2) semester, during which students take a selection of courses to explore specific topics and skills. Instead of lectures and textbooks, learning may involve Socratic discussions, real-world projects, labs or other active learning formats.
Essential Experiences
Lynnhaven's essential experiences include, service, micro-electives, field trips, and our expeditionary programs (Voyager and Camp Lynnhaven) are invaluable and immeasurable opportunities to develop qualities which people should progress toward throughout life.
CORE CLASSES
All students experience the core curriculum at Lynnhaven School. They consist of the Practical and Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and English.
Micro-electives
Have you ever wanted to take a course on beekeeping only to find out a few weeks in that you hated it? Learning new things can feel overwhelming when the commitment is big, but what if it was shrunk down to something for the modern attention span? We know that knowledge is more likely to be retained when we recall it over and over again. Micro-learning facilitates self-directed lifelong learning, as short electives can easily become everyday interests. From Technical Theater, Lego Engineering and Archery to Skateboarding, Gardening, and Model UN - there is always something new to try!
Assessments
We evaluate students on something way more important than grades: mastery! Students have many opportunities to demonstrate their mastery of a topic or skill, and they always have the chance to try again. We translate students’ mastery transcripts into GPA-based transcripts when needed. All students take the ACT 9, PreACT, or the ACT each fall. Lynnhaven does not utilize Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing.
Reporting
Parents/Guardians and students have access to all work, feedback, and mastery assessment at all times through our learning management system. Reports cards are issued 2 times a year. Transcripts are updated annually at the end of the school year, unless otherwise needed.
