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hands on learning through environmental science and the arts
The Howard Gardner School
The Howard Gardner School | 4913 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310 | 703.822.9300
contact Katherine Keith, Director, at: katherine@thehowardgardnerschool.org
Copyright © 2009 The Howard Gardner School. All rights reserved.
A Middle School at HGS Beginning September 2010!
While we have occasionally accepted 8th graders in the past, after receiving numerous inquiries from parents as to whether we would consider adding a true Middle School to Howard Gardner, and a period of serious exploration and research, we have decided to add a combined 7th & 8th grade class, beginning in Fall of 2010.
Educational Philosophy. We believe all children have gifts and talents, and it is our job to help them discover and strengthen them within a challenging and nurturing environment. This combination of challenge and nurture is especially important for middle schoolers. As a framework for this educational philosophy, we look to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. As a progressive school, we use hands-on activities; open-ended questions; discovery learning; cooperative and independent learning; and a reduced volume of homework that is more meaningful, among other elements.
While academics are important, we will also engineer opportunities for our younger students to learn and practice social and life skills, fostering confidence and a positive self-identity. As one way of accomplishing this, we will focus on the student’s connection to the earth and wider community. This will fit seamlessly with HGS’s founding emphasis on environmental issues. So, for example, our 7th & 8th graders will be involved in organic gardening, the products of which will be shared with Carpenter’s Shelter, with which we have already have an ongoing partnership.
Community. A sense of belonging, mutual respect, and friendship are basic human needs. It is our goal to successfully address those needs for all of our students throughout the school, but with special attention paid to the specific developmental needs of our 7th & 8th graders.
Developmental Needs. 7th and 8th graders have their own unique set of developmental needs. First, their need for acceptance is especially strong. Our students will develop their own constitution in which they will explicitly spell out what we need to do to make our community tolerant and inclusive, and our activities will be especially designed to develop a sense of camaraderie and friendship. Second, they need encouragement to take intellectual risks with their newly found ability to think abstractly. Teachers as facilitators and mentors can support that budding ability and provide a safe environment for them to stretch their intellectual wings. Third, they have a strong need to feel that they are making a contribution, both to their own community and to the wider community. Through responsibilities at school and in other settings such as community service, they will be able to make those contributions within the safe scaffolding of our program.
Student/teacher ratio. Combined 7th & 8th grade of 10-12 kids, 1 MA-level lead teacher, 1 co-teacher.
Hours. Monday through Friday, 9 am 3 pm. These are staggered from the high school hours.
Transportation. Will run a shuttle to and from the Metro, if requested.
Lunch. On campus. Students may bring their own or order through a lunch service.
Facilities. First floor of the farmhouse will hold the middle school classroom, computer lab, comfy reading area and lunchroom.The new building will be used for music, art, etc. Library facilities will be through the public library three blocks away. PE resources one mile away at Lee District Recreation Center.
Community Service and Field Studies. Wednesdays will alternate between group community service and field studies. Middle schoolers will not be involved in internships.
PE/Recess. Kids this age need to play. In nice weather, they will be free to eat their lunch outside anywhere on campus. PE will be every day except Wednesday, although it will vary in length from a quick 20 minutes of outdoor games or tromping through the creek, to longer hikes or indoor games such as walleyball or basketball, plus occasional opportunities such as ice skating or bowling.
Sports. Occasional soccer or ultimate Frisbee games with other small schools.
Admission. Will be based on a family interview, an opportunity for the student to interact with other kids at a student-focused open house, and the student’s desire to be part of The Howard Gardner School. Admission is rolling, however we do expect to fill our limited spaces by May.
2010-11 Tuition. $19,450 plus $500 Field Studies and Materials Fee. A monthly payment program is available.
Financial Aid. Limited financial aid is available. Financial aid applications are due April 1.
We are very excited to be able to provide this service to our community – there are many young people will struggle elsewhere and thrive at HGS. If you or your friends, neighbors or members of your community have rising 7th & 8th graders who might do well here, please pass on this information to them, and ask them to contact katherine Keith, Director, at 703.822.9300.
