Providing a Unique & Unmatched Model of Excellence
We believe that children possess a drive for cognitive, physical, and social engagement - a drive that is developed and enhanced by an environment that promotes academic challenge, creativity, personal responsibility, and a positive self-image. For over 35 years, our school has provided a developmentally appropriate curriculum, which includes math problem solving, critical thinking skills, literacy development, social studies, science, environmental science, and the arts. High Meadows School implements a dynamic program that enhances and enriches the multiple gifts and talents of individuals.
Multi-age Education
The multi-age model provides children with the valuable experience of learning with the same group over several years. We treat every classroom as a multi-age classroom since the ages among the children naturally vary. An intentional blending of two grades in one classroom, at certain grade levels, creates a mentor-mentee relationship where a child’s peers reinforce the learning experiences presented by his or her classmates. We recognize that two children of the same age are not in the same place of development; multi-age classrooms define children by their abilities rather than their numerical age. Over the years, we have implemented various Multi-age groupings. Several years ago, we broke out Kindergarten and 3rd grade as stand-alone years, given the critical nature of those developmental years and the natural range of abilities that occur during those grade levels. Eighth grade has always been stand alone, so that we can prepare our graduates to transition into a variety of different school environments.
Multi-age groupings:
Primary (1st & 2nd grade)
Elementary (4th & 5th grade)
Middle Years (6th & 7th grade)
The Benefits of a Multi-age Approach:
Older students revisit concepts taught to younger students
Younger students are exposed to concepts taught to older students
Older students model appropriate behavior to younger students
The more knowledgeable students assist the less knowledgeable students
Extra learning time is provided without the stigma of grade level change
Opportunity for older students to become “experts” after two years
Broader range of friends
Co-Teaching & Low Student-Teacher Ratios
A low student to teacher ratio combined with the expertise of two degreed educators creates a dynamic, personal environment in every classroom. This model allows teachers the opportunity to support, motivate, and guide individual students, academically and socially. Co-teaching means that all teachers are designated as lead teachers; everyone participates in planning and implementing curriculum and assessing student achievement. In the Middle Years Program, content experts teach courses. Students develop relationships with the same six teachers throughout their 6th, 7th, and 8th grade experience.
IB/PYP Programme
The core components of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB/PYP) uphold our school’s historical philosophy, encouraging our students and teachers to participate in creative and service-oriented learning experiences, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of reflection on a personal and academic level.
The High Meadows Narrative Report
High Meadows School believes that it is critical to accurately report strengths and weaknesses. Each child’s abilities are measured and reported against developmentally appropriate standards for different age groups. Students are given formal reading or math inventories to measure specific basic skills. Teachers use both anecdotal notes, formal and informal assessments to record skills and concept development and write a narrative report about each individual student. The narrative report identifies the developmental skill level of each child. Eighth grade students also receive letter grades that assist their transition to high school. Narrative reports are written and shared with parents at formal conferences two times a year.
High Meadows School - 1055 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075
Phone: 770.993.2940 Email: info@highmeadows.org
