Red Oak Community School

Philosophy Statement:

The oak tree is already present in the acorn; likewise, our children’s potential is already manifest within them. An acorn does not need to be anything but an acorn – it will grow into an oak tree if given the right conditions. Just as an acorn requires a nurturing environment, space, and time to become a strong, beautiful, adaptable oak tree, children who are nurtured and trusted to grow at their own pace will become confident, compassionate, contributing members of humanity.

Red Oak Community School endeavors to create the right conditions for children to flourish:

*Children are born whole, good, and full of wonder: we will protect what is whole, nurture what is good, and channel their wonder into joyful learning.

*Children are innately in tune with their inner truth and with their bodies: we will guide them to develop emotional intelligence, and protect their right to move and play freely.

*Children are innately in tune with the natural world: we will teach them to have a reverence for the Earth and the cycle of the seasons, and incorporate the outdoors as a vital teacher.

*Children seek human connection: we will teach them how to be in community with one another, helping them navigate relationships and resolve conflict.

*Each child is unique, precious, and equally entitled to a nurturing school: we will support their individual interests, encourage the growth of their talents, and offer a multicultural and gender equitable curriculum.

*We will build an invested, generous, and flexible community so we can make this school accessible and affordable, and ready to meet the ever changing needs of the students.

As we provide these essential conditions for growth, our children will naturally learn. We will offer them an academically rich curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, tailored to different learning styles, and lays a strong foundation to continue their educational journey beyond Red Oak Community School.