Elementary

The Elementary age groupings at The Patchwork School include grades K-5 (roughly ages 5 to 12). We offer various scheduling options for full-time students, and homeschooling students. The philosophy is based primarily on principles of Democratic Education, Humane Education, and Reggio Emilia. There is a maximum student to teacher ratio of 10 to 1, plus close director involvement. The curriculum is emergent and includes independent and group investigations which incorporate community resources and weekly field trip days. Please join us at one of our Information Sessions to find out more!

Examples of Environment, Materials, Field Trips & More!

Age Groupings

Each year children will be divided into two or three groups, roughly according to age. However, the groupings may change from year to year depending on the make-up of the ages overall and on individual children's needs. The children will spend morning meeting time in their groups, but for the rest of the day will be interacting with children from all groups.  This mixed-age environment allows children to have opportunities to learn from older children and mentor younger children, creating a family-like atmosphere.

Each group is assigned one or two advisor teachers. The advisor teacher will be the parents' first point of contact for questions and concerns about their child. However, we do have a co-teaching environment which allows all teachers and children to get to know one another. Again this helps us to feel much like a family, where teachers constantly model cooperative communication.

Children in any age group may attend half-days or full-days for either three, four or five days. Parents may select their days at registration time.  For children that are six and older, we can help you to register as a homeschooler if you choose not to enroll for the full five days.

Flow of The Day

These times are flexible and change as needed, depending on the group’s interests and the flow of the particular day, but this can give you an idea of what a day is like:

~8:00 (about 45 minutes) Free Play - For those children arriving early, this is a time for free play with others or individually or small group work with a teacher.

~8:55-9:10 (about 15 minutes) Children Arrive and We Greet Each Other - The drop-off window for the Elementary School is a bit smaller, as saying goodbye is generally easier at this age, however we still want to ensure a smooth drop-off, so we will work with you to find a consistent drop-off routine that works for you and your child.

~9:30 (10-30 minutes) Morning Meeting - For the Elementary students, Morning Meeting is a time for the children to come together to share with one another their ideas for the day and to talk about any issues or concerns they might be having.  The children take part in running the meeting, adding to the Agenda, and sharing offerings.  Often, the Morning Meeting is a Democratic Meeting, which has a more formal structure, allowing for all of the teachers and children to come together to make important decisions about the school.  We ask that parents make every effort to arrive prior to meeting, as it can feel awkward for children to walk in mid-meeting.

~10:00 (10-30 minutes) Snack Time - We provide a healthy snack, usually fruits or vegetables and a grain, which we try to rotate.  The snack time is another time for us to enjoy coming together as a community, sometimes sharing special items from home or reading an inspiring story,

~10:20 (1-2 hours) Unscheduled Time - The greatest gift we can give the children is this large block of unscheduled time, during which anything can happen.  Children are encouraged to follow through on any plans or ideas that came up during Morning Meeting, Teachers set out additional provocations, visitors may present offerings, and field-trips and outings occur about once a week.  Because we do not have a rigid structure, we are able to thoroughly enjoy this time and delve deeply into whatever we may be doing in that moment.

~11:45 (5-30 minutes) Lunch Time - This is one of the children's favorite time of day as they at last get to crack open their beloved lunch boxes to see what treasures have been packed inside.  We all enjoy sitting down together as a community to enjoy a meal.

~12:30 (5-45 minutes) Quiet or Outside Time - We all generally go outside after lunch, which is where you will usually find your child for half-day pick-up. This is a great time to do a quick check-in with a teacher about the day, to spend a moment looking at projects and work from the day, or to catch up with another parent. 

~1:30 (1 hour) Still Time - Children that stay all day will participate in a period of individual Still Time, choosing a quiet activity to do on their own.  This allows us all to take a moment to slow down and relax after a busy morning, and offers the children time to be alone with their own thoughts.

~2:45 (10-30 minutes) Pick-up Time & Cleanup - Most children will leave at this time, but those who remain will be able to play freely and will have opportunities to help teachers clean up for the day.

Tuition Rates

Tuition Rates for next fall (2012-2013)
Registration Fee

For 2012-2013 there is a $190 registration fee for new families (this also covers a required parent orientation class) or a $165 registration fee per child per year for returning families.  Fees will be pro-rated for students entering mid-year.  There is also a one-time $200 Parent Education Fee for each new family, which includes a Communication Skills Workshop.

Regular Tuition
Tuition is calculated for the entire year and is divided into three equal trimester payments. The tuition rates are as follows:

Add-On Hours
The payment for Add-On Hours works exactly as the tuition does – it will need to be pre-paid in three equal trimester payments. The Add-On rates are as follows:

Sibling Discounts
Any siblings (after the first child is enrolled) will receive a 5% discount on Tuition and Add-On Hours.

Drop-In
The rate for drop-ins (days or times other than your regular schedule) is hourly, at $9/hour, and payment will be required ahead of time or on the day of. Families that are not already registered will need to allow for extra time on the first visit to fill out the required paperwork (health status forms must be filled out prior to first visit).

Tuition Rates for the current year (2011-2012)
Registration Fee

For 2011-2012 there is a $190 registration fee for new families (this also covers a required parent orientation class) or a $165 registration fee per child per year for returning families.  Fees will be pro-rated for students entering mid-year.

Regular Tuition
Tuition is calculated for the entire year and is divided into three equal trimester payments. The tuition rates are as follows:

Add-On Hours
The payment for Add-On Hours works exactly as the tuition does – it will need to be pre-paid in three equal trimester payments. The Add-On rates are as follows:

Sibling Discounts
Any siblings (after the first child is enrolled) will receive a 5% discount on Tuition and Add-On Hours.

Drop-In
The rate for drop-ins (days or times other than your regular schedule) is hourly, at $8.75/hour, and payment will be required ahead of time or on the day of. Families that are not already registered will need to allow for extra time on the first visit to fill out the required paperwork (health status forms must be filled out prior to first visit).

Registration Paperwork

Reservations
After attending an information session, and upon receiving an offer to enroll, you may reserve a space for your child by filling out our Payment Contract for 2011-2012 and providing us with the registration fee and the first month's payment.

Registration Paperwork
In addition to the payment contract (above), you will need to fill out the following paperwork prior to their start date in order to complete your child's registration:

• Student Information Form: 2011-2012

• Health Status Form: 2011-2012

• Immunization Form 

• Image Release

• Contact Sheet

Here are some additional documents you might also find helpful:

• Registration Letter: 2011-2012

• School Supply List

School Calendar & Family Handbook
Our school calendar shows the holidays and teacher workdays for the year.

2011-2012 School Calendar

Our family handbook contains detailed information on the school's policies and practices. We hope this will help answer any questions regarding billing, medications, emergencies, etc.

2011-2012 Family Handbook

Tuition Assistance

Tricky is fun!

- Student, 2007