At Blooming Grove Academy, we create classroom groups and curricula that are built more on the children's stages of development and less on chronological age. These groups serve as "families," where children learn from teachers and from each other. In order to further promote its commitment to individual progress and development, Blooming Grove does not use traditional grade-level designations. The Early Learner, Elementary and Middle School programs are divided into several classes. The class make-up is decided by the faculty with input from the parents. Placement decisions take into account a number of developmental factors such as overall language and math abilities, social maturity and readiness to take personal responsibility for one's own education. The number of years children spend at each level depends on their individual patterns of development. To learn more about the individual programs please visit the following pages:
Early Learner Program
Elementary School
Middle School
Quiet Study Area
The Quiet Study Area is an important aspect of Blooming Grove Academy. Elementary
and Middle School students have the option of using the Quiet Study Area
(office or library) for academics and selective courses. The Quiet Study
Area is for the child who occasionally needs a quiet place to read, to work
independently, to think, or to work cooperatively with other students on
a teacher-approved project. Demanding that all students learn the same things
at the same time and in the same way, whether they want to learn or not,
prevents the student from experiencing self-chosen and self-directed learning.
Homework
Mandatory homework is not an integral part of the curriculum. We may recommend
homework or long-range assignments in the areas of weakness or acceleration.
Students may choose to work on these assignments at school or at home. Some
research-oriented projects may require work at home by Elementary and Middle
School students. While assigned homework may not be given, teachers suggest
ways for parents to work with children at home to advance learning.
Selective Courses
Selective courses at Blooming Grove Academy are a very important part of the
learning experience. Selective courses are offered in afternoon sessions
during a six-week period. At the beginning of each selective course session,
each Elementary and Middle School student is given a choice of the courses
offered. Selective course curricula are a special means of fostering a child's
resourcefulness, both by giving extra preparation for living (family life,
society, and occupation) and by helping the child to identify and develop
his/her special talents and abilities. Teachers and students alike find that
the selective curriculum injects a special energy into school life.