What Makes Schools Meaningful?

1^st in a series of 3

Educational development of the whole person requires in depth study of academic subjects, exposure to the arts, regular opportunities for physical education and athletics, and involvement in extracurricular activities and community service.

So what makes schools meaningful?  First, schools must be a place where students feel noticed and valued.  It provides an environment that is safe both physically and socially.  It is a place where friendships can be established and last for a lifetime.  Feeling welcomed allows the learner to relax and to focus on the challenges ahead. 

Great teachers are essential to this positive school setting.  They must be designers of student learning who believe deeply in the capacity of all children to excel, are passionate about the subjects they teach, work to create respectful, democratic learning communities in and outside the classroom, and possess the ability to spark enthusiasm for learning.  The atmosphere of the classroom must contain elements of student choice and student as worker.  The entire school must expect students and staff to respect others, to appreciate others’ successes, and to work hard toward their own.   Individual differences and accomplishments should be celebrated and recognized as worthy.  Unique learning experiences should be offered allowing a cooperative spirit, using discovery and the solution of real word problems.  Graduates should leave school with a love of learning, tolerance for others, a well-rounded source of knowledge, an appreciation of diversity, and a strong sense of integrity.

In order to help make our world better, school must provide a supportive educational atmosphere in which teachers challenge the intellectual, creative, and physical abilities of students and foster strength of character and concern for others.  They must encourage their students to wonder, to dream, and to be independent thinkers, thereby laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

 Oak Hill Academy is a NJ private school that is co-educational, independent, nonsectarian, and nonprofit for grades pre-kindergarten through eight. Oak Hill Academy is dedicated to a traditional, challenging, and caring learning environment that encourages comprehensive thought processes and deep understandings; thus promoting the wholesome intellectual, emotional, moral, and physical lifetime growth of our students. If you want to learn more about what makes Oak Hill Academy one of the best private school in NJ, visit us online at www.oakhillacademy.com , or subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when we post more topics.