Citizens Philosophy
If you were to peek into a classroom at any point during the school day, you would see learning focused on three philosophical pillars.
Philosophical Pillars
Project-Based Learning
Our students will develop deep mastery of knowledge and skills. They will be challenged, supported, and will make real life connections to their learning.
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Constructivism
Project-Based Learning
Academics
Social-Emotional
Development
We want our graduates to know and be confident in themselves, and have strong relationships with their peers.
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Conscious Discipline
Restorative Practices
Academics
Community-Focused
We believe it is important for students to learn to work alongside peers across lines of difference. This will be necessary for them to practice self-understanding and empathy in order to solve complex problems that exist in our world.
Constructivism
Constructivism is a theory based on the idea that humans are meaning makers in their lives and construct their own realities. Individuals are active participants in creating and determining their path rather than passively taking in information.
In a constructivist classroom, you will see students having the flexibility to explore their own interests. Big ideas will be introduced first, and students will be motivated to seek understanding of the smaller parts. Students learn by building upon prior knowledge rather than by rote memorization, and teachers serve as facilitators of learning rather than purveyors of knowledge. There is a flexibility to investigate, invent, experiment, and explore! Constructivism honors the natural curiosity of students and fosters a love of exploration and learning, which fosters intrinsic motivation.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems they may face in the real world. Some examples explored by classes are running a class election, creating a classroom marketplace, designing protective vehicles to compete in the Egg Drop Challenge, and organizing a community fall festival.
Project-based learning is more than just “doing a project.” As the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) explains, with PBL, students “investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex problem or challenge” with deep and sustained attention.
Project-based learning is in direct alignment with constructivist theory and supports the notion from Jean Piaget that “knowledge is a consequence of experience.”
Conscious Discipline
Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach to behavior management in the classroom. Using an understanding of brain science, Conscious Discipline teaches both adults and students how to regulate emotions, resolve conflict, and create an empathic and emotionally safe school environment where all students can learn. It is built on three principles: 1) Controlling and changing ourselves is possible and has a profound impact on others, 2) Connectedness governs behavior, and 3) Conflict is an opportunity to teach.
Conscious Discipline is a Tier 1 Intervention which will support all students’ social and emotional learning and facilitate a safe learning environment for all students. With an understanding that all behavior is an expression of a need, Conscious Discipline will guide decision making around assessing students’ needs and putting necessary supports in place.
Conscious Discipline teaches both students and adults 7 important skills that are crucial to creating a healthy school family. They are composure, assertiveness, encouragement, choices, empathy, positive intent, and consequences. Conscious Discipline incorporates routines, structures, and rituals to support each skill, which will be woven throughout students’ school day, regardless of grade level.
