SANTA BARBARA CHARTER SCHOOL

EDUCATION PLAN

Revised December 2008

Cultivating the Arts, Academics, and Relationships Santa Barbara Charter School is a staff/parent cooperative.  Our mission is to cultivate learning in the areas of arts, academics, and relationships.  We are a materials-based program meaning that we recognize that children learn by interacting with concrete objects, their environment, and other people. We believe that learning takes place when students have an opportunity to construct meaning from their own experiences.    Our materials-based approach to curriculum is developmentally appropriate and integrated in order to facilitate the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of each child. The school is child-centered in its approach to education, yet balances this value with the current state emphasis on standard-based curriculum.  Our goal is to provide an educational program with breadth and depth for students with different learning styles and types of intelligence.  We recognize that children learn everywhere and all the time. The program has deep roots in progressive and humanistic educational philosophy and emphasizes developing strong relationships with self, others, community and the environment.  Group cohesiveness develops as children learn effective decision making, problem solving and communication skills.  It is the goal of the educational program to help students learn to solve problems well, think critically and creatively, and to become academically competent, responsible, and productive members of the community. Santa Barbara Charter School is a small school by design.    Our small size encourages a thoughtful school culture in which discussion and dialogue thrive.  When issues arise, students and their educational needs remain at the center of any response.  Ideas are formulated collectively and action can be initiated quickly.  Above all, we get to know our students’ work and come to understand the way they think.  This in-depth knowledge helps us provide appropriate challenges for each student.  Teachers are responsible and students are accountable.