Relevant School Philosophies

Quaker Philosophy - Lansdowne Friends School
Quakers believe that there is the presence of God in everyone. The values and testimonies of the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) are based on peace, simplicity, integrity, community, equality, and service. The foundation of the Lansdowne Friends School was based on these values. "Skills of cooperation, and non-violent conflict resolution are taught and practiced in developmentally appropriate ways throughout the school. Respect for the individual and for the community, and for diversity of background and learning style is modeled by adults in the community, reflected in our program, and encouraged among all students."

The primary philosophy of the school is faith in the integrity of each child. This philosophy leads to respect for the individual and compassion for one another and the larger community. The Lansdowne Friends School is a place for children to develop academically, socially, and spiritually. The goals for the children at Lansdowne Friends School include "growth in academic skills; cultivation of inner discipline and a strong sense of self; enjoyment of learning, development of compassion and care for others." The school program is based on the individual student and the natural curiosity of children for their immediate surroundings in addition to supporting their exploration of their layered world.

The school community meets once a week for Meeting for Worship. A typical worship meeting begins in silent worship from which thoughtful messages are shared. Parents and outside community members are welcome to join the Meeting for Worship. At the Lansdowne Friends School, once a month students and teachers meet as Worship Sharing groups. Coming together in a spirit of worship, the mixed-age groups focus on a particular topic. These groups promote a sense of community within the school.

Philosophy. Lansdowne Friends School. http://www.lansdownefriendsschool.org/about/ (accessed: November 04, 2007).
Quakerism at Lansdowne Friends School. Lansdowne Friends School. http://www.lansdownefriendsschool.org/about/quakerism.html (accessed: November 04, 2007).

The philosophy and attitude of the Quaker schools are appealing. The community building aspect of the school is applicable - an activity which invites the community to the school to partake in an event with the students and teachers every week. For the Quakers the event is worship, but I think it is possible to challenge a similar weekly event to occur within an urban community.

Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori approach proposes a broad vision of education. It is designed to help children with their task of inner creation as they grow and develop from childhood. Its success comes from its principles which are based on the natural development of the child. "The inherent flexibility allows the method to adapt to the needs of the individual, regardless of the level of ability, learning style, or social maturity."

The environment within the classrooms is such that children are free to respond to their natural drive work and learn. Based on children’s inherent love of learning, the children are given opportunities to engage in spontaneous and meaningful activities under the guidance of a teacher. On their own children develop concentration, motivation, persistence and discipline. Each child progresses at their own pace and rhythm according to their individual capabilities.

The Montessori approach divides children into three groups: Infant and Toddlers, Primary (3-6yrs), Elementary (6-14 yrs). Children in the primary program possess what Dr. Montessori called the absorbent mind, the ability to absorb all aspects of one’s culture and environment without effort or fatigue. At this period of the child’s life individual work is encouraged. The following areas of activity cultivate the children’s adaptation and ability to express and think with clarity: Practical Life, Language development, Geography – Biology – Botany – Zoology – Art - Music, and Mathematics. The elementary children are engaged in a research style of learning while working in small groups on a variety of projects. The Montessori teachers direct activities which help the children to develop reasoning abilities and life skills. Elementary studies include geography, biology, history, language, mathematics, science, music and art. Exploration into these studies is encouraged through trips outside the classroom. "This inclusive approach to education fosters a feeling of connectedness to all humanity, and encourages their natural desire to make contributions to the world."

Montessori Approach, The. Montessori International School. http://www.montessori-intl.org/approach.html (accessed November 04, 2007).

The Montessori Philosophy engages children at very young ages. Within the neighborhoods I am researching, the opportunity to have even the younger children go to school would be a positive attribute for the school to meet the community needs.

School of the Future
An approach to the integration of technology into the classroom. The Interactive-learning Center is one of the featured venues within the school. The center is designed to serve the students, faculty and the surrounding community. It contains a technology lab with wireless and hard connections. A lower level exists which is designed for individual and group seating. A literary nook is also located in the lower level which has informal individual seating. The Interactive-learning Center has a student production and copy room.

The classrooms within the school are designed to be flexible such that a variety of teaching methods and strategies may be implemented. There is flexible furniture as opposed to fixed such that it can be moved from a lecture setting to team or group settings. Some of the classrooms have moveable walls to create larger instructional settings for individual or team settings.
Within the program, there are IT and Web design labs. They are designed to ensure these spaces will have the highest flexibility to incorporate the latest technology and curriculum delivery.


Philadelphia School District
The School District of Philadelphia is the eighth largest school district in the nation, by enrollment, which serves a racially and ethnically diverse student population. Their mission is to provide a high-quality education that prepares, ensures, and empowers all students to achieve their full intellectual and social potential in order to become lifelong learners and productive members of society. The School Reform Commission is working raise student achievement with the belief that all children can reach their learning potential. The district is divided into the following school types: Head Start and Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, Senior High, Vocational/Technical Schools, Special Schools, and Charter Schools.

About Us. School District of Philadelphia, 2007. http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/about/ (accessed November 06, 2007).

"Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success."

"Parents and teachers choose charter schools primarily for educational reasons--high academic standards, small class size, innovative approaches, or educational philosophies in line with their own. Some also have chosen charter schools for their small size and associated safety (charter schools serve an average of 250 students). The primary three reasons charter schools are established according to the national study of charter schools are: the realization of an educational vision, to gain autonomy, and to serve a special population."

"Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-- usually a state or local school board-- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them."

Overview. US Charter Schools. http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/o/index.htm