Assessments

Children learn and develop at their own pace. The myth that each child can be taught in the same rote fashion leaves many children confused, resulting in academic gaps which are either filled-in as adults, or never. There is no longer any question that there are many ways to learn (also called multiple intelligences). Multi-level learning means that each child has a way of learning that works best for him or her. Our teachers at Running River are able to address those different learning styles.

Running River classroom ratios are never greater than 15 to 1. In addition to the teachers, we have volunteers and parents who help in the classrooms. Teachers spend one-on-one time with each child, and pay close attention to their learning styles. As opposed to the labeling that is typical in the majority of schools, the teachers at Running River work to understand the needs of each learner by being receptive to them through observation, verbal interaction/conversations, and by looking closely at every child’s work. With such small classes, material can be presented in a variety of ways, and children can learn in the style that maximizes their attention.

Students, starting in kindergarten, will be choosing projects that are both part of a collaborative unit and a personalized area of interest. Meeting with their main teacher, they will design the project, which includes setting goals in every academic area. Part of this process is to have students acknowledge their areas of strengths and address areas they are working on improving. This includes both academic, emotional, social, physical and intellectual. At the end of every project, the students will give public presentations to classmates and parents. They will then self assess, with support from the teacher, their project based on how they met those goals.

At Running River every child is also individually assessed in math and reading throughout the year. This is not accomplished by testing, but through time spent one-on-one with the teacher and using an individualized assessment program. In the beginning of the year, parents fill out a questionnaire about their child’s strengths, weaknesses, passions, interests, learning style, and personal goals which the teachers also use to work with each child.

There are no grades at Running River. All projects, as well as work in other areas such as small math, reading and writing groups, go into portfolios. In addition, the teacher writes reports on all academic areas as well as the Arts, P.E. and the Emotional/Social arena. Conferences are scheduled twice a year, and can also be arranged whenever a parent or a teacher feels there is a need.