About Great Expectations School

Mission

The mission of the school is to develop in each child:

• A love of learning
• Critical and creative thinking skills
• Mastery of the academic building blocks
• The ability to nurture family, friends and self
• A strong commitment to being a contributing member of a community
• Open-heartedness toward others
• A passion for life-long learning

Vision

Great Expectations School (GES) was created to encourage the best teaching practices and community and parental involvement in public education.

Great Expectations academic program

The basic framework for Great Expectations' educational program is called "Environment as an Integrating Concept for Learning" or EIC for short. What that means is that our students learn not only from books and teachers, but also from real experience and time spent studying the community in which they live.

For example, if students are studying geology, they go to Artist's Point to see the rocks that formed Lake Superior and Grand Marais. If they're studying music, perhaps a community band member helps them to understand how the saxophone works. Learning about animals may include cross-country skiing to find tracks in the woods. In other words, the talented community people of Cook County, along with the the extraordinary natural resources of the North Shore, provide a special richness and expanded classroom for our students.

Because GES is sponsored by the Audubon Center of the North Woods (ACNW) our students benefit greatly from the staff and activities offered by ACNW. The school sponsors an annual, three-day visit for GES students ot the Audubon Center in Sandstone, Minnesota. Our teachers take courses in EIC offered through the Audubon Center and Hamline University. All of this helps to form the basis for hand-on, interdisciplinary, student-centered learning experiences for Great Expectations students.

How GES students learn

At Great Expectations, the vision is "one child at a time" where students learn based on their individual strengths, passions, needs and learning styles.

We offer each student:

• flexible paced learning, allowing student sto progress based on achievement rather than chronological age
• authentic assessment and reflection on the learning experience instead of the traditional grading system
• a recognition that students learn in different ways
• multi-age groupings where difference is accepted and nurturing is valued and encouraged
• project-based learning

A word about project-based learning

In project-based learning, teachers guide children through an in-depth study of real world topics. Successful project-based learning results in children who are highly motivated, feel actively involved in their own learning, and produce work of a high quality.

Multi-age classrooms

Great Expectations classrooms are multi-age. Students with differing ability levels and ages are taught in the same classroom without dividing them or the curriculum into "grade" designations. Students learn better when they have role models they can turn to for assistance, and when they practice their skills by demonstrating to others.

How GES students are graded

At GES, we assess how the student learned as well as what they learned. This assessment takes place through observations, dialogue, the student's own reflection, written work, exhibitions and projects. Assessment is ongoing and frequent, providing the student and parents with feedback about performance. In addition, GES uses the tests that are required by the state, and the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test to determine typical student academic progress from year to year.

Parents are Partners

Parents are partners in all aspects of school life. Great Expectations is a small-school, family-oriented environment in which students, families and our community are welcomed, valued and respected. At GES, strong parent, guardian and volunteer involvement is a daily occurrence.

Specifically, Great Expectations:

• recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children
• believes parents are not only partners in the education of their children, but also in the school's decision making process
• encourages families to attend school meetings and events
• recognizes volunteers for their contributions
• encourages parents to volunteer for 24 hours per school year
• strongly encourages attendance by at least one parent or guardian at the admittance interview, personal learning plan meeting, and all conferences
• believes in consistent, open communication with parents
• sends a weekly newsletter home with information from teachers, the board and school committees
• provides clear behavior guidance policies

A Day at GES

A day at Great Expectations begins with a morning meeting in each classroom followed by the study of core academic subjects: reading, writing, literature and math. Afternoons are devoted to social studies, science, physical activity, project-based learning, art, music and student's personal pursuits. The school day closes with a closing meeting.

About Great Expectations Foundation

The purpose of Great Expectations Foundation is to provide leadership support, financial support and community support
to Great Expectations School and its affiliates. It is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

The Foundation was formed in 2006 and incorporated in 2007 with the primary goal of obtaining a loan and purchasing the school and grounds. Ownership of the building allows the Foundation to build equity, which opens the doors to long-term financial stability and capital expansion for Great Expectations School. Short-term, the Foundation will apply for exempt status on property taxes for a savings of over $15,000 per year; and will develop a plan to provide financial assistance to the school in a variety of ways.

2008 Goals
Purchase & close on the building
Initiate property tax-exemption
Raise funds for non-mortgage costs associated with purchasing the building
Begin raising funds to pay for short-term maintenance, repair & capitals needs
Collaborate with school on potential grants

© Copyright 2004, Great Expectations Charter School.
PO Box 310 • Grand Marais, MN 55604
p: 218.387.9322 • e: learn@GreatExpectationsSchool.com

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