Educational Philosophy

Berkwood Hedge School's curriculum is based on the understanding that children construct their knowledge of the world through hands-on, integrated, and active child-centered learning experiences. The strength of our program lies in encouraging children to become active creators of their own knowledge.. When they have educational experiences that fit their development and invigorate their natural intellectual curiosity, they embrace learning in a way that makes sense to their realities.

Our experienced and talented teachers create lessons and activities that challenge and engage a range of students. Curriculum is built as a series of in-depth studies, and teachers use a variety of learning materials that respect the unique educational needs of each child. Our teachers are guided by each child’s abilities and interests to inspire purpose and passion for learning.

We value and encourage collaboration among children. Our interactive curriculum and diverse student body provide opportunities for students to engage with perspectives other than their own. Through independent and group work, children experiment, discuss, question, build, and invent, accessing a range of learning strategies and ways of sharing their thought processes.

Assessment informs how we teach. We understand that no individual tool can adequately assess what a child understands. Therefore, our teachers use multiple formal and informal assessments to evaluate learning, to identify a child’s strengths and areas for growth and intention, to guide curriculum development, and to inform the data teachers share in progress reports. 

We understand that academic excellence goes beyond numbers and metrics. Our teachers set clear standards for student accountability in ways appropriate for the individual child and the group, creating a setting that challenges students intellectually while fostering their social and emotional strengths. When children push beyond schoolbook basics to real-life understanding, they understand more deeply, care more, and take agency in their education, their communities, and their lives.