Community, that feeling of love and belonging. Of having a home and being welcome. Community is a priority at LEADPrep. We know learning happens more easily when students feel safe, connected, and genuinely care about one another. Being small and having one teacher per five students allows us to get to know each other, build… Read More »
Category: Micro-school
Worried That Teachers Don’t Know Your Student?!
This has been a tricky start of the school year. After a rocky spring for many families, parents are worried their learners won’t be assessed and starting the learning process in an appropriate place. It feels like many schools are more worried about filling seats–both in-person and virtually–and maintaining order than ensuring students are getting… Read More »
Embodying a Pedagogy of Care
LEADPrep students are seen, heard, valued…thriving. This pedagogy of care is intentional. Pedagogy is the science of teaching. Our LEADPrep pedagogical approach includes fostering student-teacher relationships that are reciprocal, with students having voice and choice, “agency.” Students are seen and heard, with teachers demonstrating care by adapting their teaching to meet the needs of all… Read More »
Distance Learning: LEADPrep Doesn’t Stop
Across the country, schools are closing their doors and moving to distance learning in the wake of COVID-19 and coronavirus. It’s a scary time for everyone. Some schools have a plan in place and are ready to deliver quality lessons to students. Many are not ready, however school boards are compelled to close school doors… Read More »
Teaching Insights from a Teacher Who Thrives in Our Micro-School
Our guest blogger is Casey Ikeda (on the right working with English teacher Jacob). Casey, a Seattle native, is in his second year teaching at LEADPrep. Although he went to school in San Francisco, his huge extended family tugged on his heart strings and brought him back to the city he loves! Like many Seattle… Read More »
Stepping out of Time for Intensive Active Learning
Most schools today, in the 21st century, employ the same type of schedules for education that were used way back in the 19th century! Micro-schools have the benefit of being able to use time as a tool – and to create ways for students to delve deeply into non-traditional subjects. “Intensives” are a unique opportunity… Read More »
Outdoor Education – Changing the Way Kids Learn
Desks, chairs, tests, homework, and classrooms are the traditional components all firmly labeled in our minds as the most obvious and mandatory aspects associated with education. Obvious, yes, but not mandatory. Recently, you might have seen the news that Washington is the first state in the nation to license outdoor preschools. This model is nothing… Read More »
Demand Inclusion of Diverse Learners!
Nobody wants to be left out. And, it turns out, it’s to everyone’s benefit when we make inclusion part of our educational model. And where best to see inclusion at its best? In a micro-school, of course! When we talk about inclusion in education we are talking about including all students, regardless of any challenges… Read More »
The Joy of a Small Class
Common sense tells us that smaller class size is good for students. Large public schools are often partly judged by their average class size. As a micro-school, LEADPrep has the benefit of small class sizes. But how is that really a benefit? Project Based Learning Small schools can specialize in hands-on and project-based learning that… Read More »