Child-Centered Education

Woodworking bench in classroom

CPSC's child-centered educational approach comes from research about how children learn best.  Child-centered education nourishes multiple intelligences, engages different learning styles, and honors the energetic curiosity of young children.

Our Curriculum Is...

  • Developmentally Appropriate

    Children who learn when they are developmentally ready are naturally enthusiastic and love learning. Since children develop at different rates, students in a classroom may be working at different levels of complexity. Each child is introduced to new ideas and skills when he or she is ready, learning in a context of play and exploration. Goals for each child are based on his or her individual needs.

  • Integrated Around Projects

    Solving real-life problems requires a creative union of skills and knowledge from many disciplines. Our curriculum uses projects, built around students' interests, to teach academic skills and knowledge.  Science, mathematics, social studies, language and the arts are integrated in schoolwork just as they are in the real world. 

  • Hands-on

    Our students are encouraged to experience concepts, and learn by doing. We emphasize learning in a meaningful, authentic way. The value of a hands-on approach is beautifully captured in the Chinese proverb, "I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand."

Other Aspects of our Child-Centered Approach:

Loft in classroom

Small Classes

We believe that smaller classes are better for learning. Our classrooms have 14-16 students and one teacher, with a regular flow of other adults interacting with the children.

Our classrooms are busy! Our child-centered approach encourages practice and exploration, talk and movement and enthusiasm. Our classrooms look and feel different from traditional public school classrooms.

Getting Along

Young children need to learn to work well with one another. Our Peaceful Schools program helps our entire school community practice cooperation, compassion, and conflict resolution skills.

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor time and vigorous play are important for children. Our entire student body goes outside for an All School Recess break every day. Younger classes have additional playground time built into their day. Classes also take lots of walking field trips and explorations, work in our gardens, and observe what's going on around our pond.