A Tale of Two Schools
By Julie Jaderston Photos by Julie Jaderston
African huts line the cafeteria wall of the new charter school located on the campus of Sterling College. The current theme “Africa” is incorporated into all aspects of the daily curriculum which will culminate with a celebration complete with African dress, food, and some newly learned African words. One of the strategies used by the young school is “thematic learning.” According to Assistant Professor of Education Judith Best, this is just one of the pieces of the puzzle that has led to “so much progress and so much learning.” Best seems to have found her second home at the new charter school, Sterling Academy. She would have it no other way. Sterling Academy may not be your typical classroom but the unique environment provides a wonderful venue for learning. “We are absolutely delighted with the atmosphere at Sterling Academy. Each day we see progress in learning with each student and greater ownership in the Learning Community within our walls. We are not isolated classrooms but interact with each other all day in many ways with the older students caring for each other and the younger ones as well,” said Best.
attributes part of this ownership due to the fact that each student helps in the day-to-day running of the school. “Our students take on the responsibility for not only their own learning but for the good of Sterling Academy and are developing leadership and ownership of many aspects of the educational process and the many tasks that need to be completed each day. I see such joy in the students as they go about singing songs, helping each other, playing learning games, and reading with their buddies.”
In its very first year of operation Sterling Academy boasts a diverse mix of 39 students. Students travel from Hutchinson, Little River, Lyons, and Sterling, blending a unique mix of home schooled, private and public schooled children. The variety of backgrounds these students came from added to the adjustment period in the beginning, but the students have done a phenomenal job of uniting together.
Sterling Academy students are currently learning about self-control as part of the unique and intentional character education featured as part of the curriculum. Character education is explored through literature as students are taught 15 core virtues throughout the year. These character qualities are discussed twice a week and reinforced throughout the school day. The 15 core virtues taught include: compassion, courage, diligence, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, honesty, humility, loyalty, patience, perseverance, respect, responsibility, self-control, and service.
According to Best, the students have really helped create the atmosphere in the classroom. Best stated, “Sterling Academy students are already taking real ownership of their school.” She
Best sees the character education curriculum as an essential part of the student’s day, “The Core Virtues program sums it up best as our goal of aiming to ‘meet the needs of both the head and the
4 • Fall/Winter 2006