June+23

=**Philosophical Orientations and your school:**= In as much as you have an individual philosophy of schooling, your school should also achieve some shared image of a philosophical orientation. This is often more evident in private schools that have more flexibility (not to mention the expectation) to identify themselves according to particular orientations. To the degree that you can facilitate MEANINGFUL conversations to this end as a leader, your school will have a more vibrant and meaningful mission statement. This would also help you focus your energy and resources on things that are consistent with your mission/philosophy. Ultimately, the curriculum you develop and/or implement should support your school philosophy. With this in mind, I offer you an **optional** exercise to consider.

** Your Optional Preparation Exercise: **
Purpose should drive a school's curriculum. Sometimes this is not as evident in public schools where the purpose is not as distinct or explicit.

Review each of the following web sites:

The Waldorf School of Atlanta [|**www.waldorfatlanta.org**] Paideia School [|**www.paideiaschool.org**] Rabun Gap Nacoochee School [|**www.rabungap.org**] First Montessori School [|**www.firstmontessori.org**] The Walker School [|**www.thewalkerschool.org**] Weber School [|**www.weberschool.org**] Atlanta International School [|**www.aischool.org**] Harmony School, Indiana [|**www.harmonyschool.org**] Key School, Indiana [|**www.616.ips.k12.in.us/default.aspx**] Sudbury Valley School, Massachusetts [|**www.sudval.org**]  You are free to add additional sites as long as they provide a clear purpose and evidence of their curriculum.

Consider these questions as your review the sites:

1. What is the school's mission/purpose? 2. How does the content of the curriculum reflect that purpose? 3. How does the organization of the curriculum reflect that purpose? 4. What is your overall opinion of the school, it's purpose, and its curriculum?


 * Where do your beliefs fit into all of this? **

=Discussion Questions:=

1. Consider your school’s mission statement. Is it mere platitudes or does it have explicitly enacted significance within the life of the school? What, if anything, does it leave out? To what degree, if any does it unify experiences within the school? 2. What pervasive behaviors, skills, and values does the curriculum you chose to analyze emphasize? 3. What kind of thinking is valued/promoted within your curriculum? 4. To what degree does capacity and/or content influence the nature of objectives articulated within your curriculum?