Philosophy:

North Wall's philosophy is to encourage each student to develop to his/her full potential intellectually, physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Further, we believe in developing a student's sensitivity toward others, a positive self-concept, higher level thinking skills and teaching basic skills and knowledge.

Our goals are:  

• To demonstrate unconditional love to students
• To teach basics skills and knowledge                                 
• To provide individual guidance for student behavior
• To provide many ways of learning respecting multiple intelligences and  various learning styles
• To challenge students to use higher level thinking and reasoning skills
• To provide a stimulating and challenging learning environment       

A Christian atmosphere is evident in the occasional singing grace before meals and an emphasis in our teaching that God made each person unique and worthwhile.

The major theme of the program is LOVE. We are totally committed to demonstrating unconditional love to students even as Christ first loved us.

North Wall Elementary is not related to any church, and no particular doctrine is taught.

Building a Positive Self Concept

Positive discipline is used exclusively at North Wall. The staff model respectful, loving behavior and expect the same from the children. The children are encouraged to show kindness and consideration to each other.

The consequences of a student's actions may result in being asked to clean up a mess with help or to apologize when it is genuine. Each child is expected to be responsible for his/her own actions.

Any form of physical punishment, or verbal humiliation is absolutely not permitted.

Multi-Age Grouping

We are fully committed to meeting the individual needs of each student and are convinced that multi-age grouping is one of the aspects of our program that lends itself to this goal. Teachers value differences and individualize curriculum accordingly. Having a range of abilities, interests, and temperaments within a classroom facilitates children’s natural, uneven development.

North Wall has done multi-age grouping successfully for twenty years, and one of the many benefits we have observed is the advanced learning of all of the students  Students of varying ages and levels approach problems differently, and interacting with each other stimulates mental growth. The students thrive both intellectually and socially.

Giving students the chance to work together helps them generate thoughts and build individual consciousness by making it necessary to compromise, offer explanations, teach each other, learn from each other, and respect others’ ideas. In a multi-age classroom, students plan together, help each other, discover ways to settle conflicts together and become critical thinkers, decision makers, and problem solvers. Because they have the experience of working in cooperative groups, they are able to relate very well to one another and to the outside world.

The students treat each other with respect and care for each other somewhat like siblings in a family.  These sibling-like relationships become a source of affection, comfort, and closeness for all of the students.  Students who do not have siblings at home gain from interactions with children their age, as well as from others, and children who do have siblings have opportunities to be in roles other than those predetermined by birth order.

Some research has shown that children in a multiage setting seem to have a more positive attitude and are happier about school. This may be attributed to the success they experience in the classroom, the feeling of belonging to a caring community of learners, and the security of knowing what to expect from year to year.

Some other benefits that may be attributed to multi-age groupings are:

• Fewer transitions for students and teachers
• Increased stability for students as a result of continued classroom routine and consistency