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:

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.

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.
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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:

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.