Multiage Education
Academic
Achievement
Building
Character
Multiage
Education
Caring for
Community
Enhancing
Self-Esteem
Multiage Classroom Definition
A classroom containing a heterogeneous mix of children of
various ages, readiness levels, learning styles and
personalities whose instruction will flow from the basis of
continuous progress. This is based on the core belief
that it is in the mixing of diverse elements that academic
and social growth are enhanced. A Multiage class is
based on the belief that children learn at different rates
and are allowed to make continuous progress without
fear of failure.
These philosophical stances
drive the structure and the
methods of the classroom.
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Multiage Classroom Definition
Multiage classrooms are not a split grade classroom where
instruction takes place along separate grade level lines.
Multiage is also not an accelerated or gifted classroom
program.
In a multiage classroom children are not “below”, “at”, or
“above” grade level, rather they are developing on their
own continuous path, rather than a series of finite steps.
Children in a multiage class
experience whole group,
small group and
individualized instruction as
well as project work.
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Multiage Classroom Definition
Multiage classrooms build strong
community and familial ties, holding the
whole child at its center. The classroom
takes this concept seriously and tries to
create a warm, nurturing classroom
climate.
“…Multiage education opens up learning for every
child, providing an enriched learning
environment within a family of mixed-age
learners. ….”
Sandra Stone, Director of the National Multiage Institute and
Chairman of the College of Education at Northern Arizona University
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Benefits of a Multiage Classroom
Students remain with a teacher for a
period of 3 years, reducing the number
of student-teacher transitions, allowing
for continuity of expectations and
instruction, and a powerful long-term
relationship between student, teacher
and family.
There is an atmosphere of nurturing rather than one of
competition (which children pressure one another to fit
an arbitrary norm). In multiage classes children accept
natural differences of children in age and achievement.
There are opportunities for all students to play different
roles in the educational process.
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Additional Benefits of a Multiage Classroom
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•
•
•
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Learning as a whole person.
Learning is social.
Freedom to take risks, follow interests, and make choices.
Facilitation of personal construction of knowledge.
Developing intellectual and communication skills because
of broader differences in the learning community.
• Providing a natural environment for pro-social behaviors
to thrive such as helping, sharing and taking turns.
• Encouraging cooperative learning in the absence of
competition.
• Providing contexts for the development of leadership skills
for all ages.
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Multiage in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools
In the Grosse Pointe Schools, the Multiage class is a three year
commitment. Children enter the class as first graders and stay
through third grade.
The Multiage classroom follows Grosse Pointe curriculum. Content
areas such as science and social studies that are grade level
specific are taught on a cyclic basis and at differing levels of
complexity. Key concepts are taught to the whole group and
exploratory activities are differentiated according to level of
complexity.
On-going assessment drives the student’s instruction. Assessment is
based on daily work, work portfolios, teacher observations, and
differentiated and standardized tests. Standardized tests (MEAP,
NWEA, etc.) are conducted at the student’s grade level.
Based on their assessments, students are placed into flexible
groupings based on readiness, not grade level. Flexible grouping
supports continuous progress.
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Multiage in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools
The participation of families is key in the program. Parents and other
family members frequently volunteer in the classroom and help
coordinate activities during the year.
Community Service is another important component of the Multiage
classroom. Children and family members join together in support
community and common good.
Children in the Multiage classroom are not isolated from their peers in
other traditional classrooms. Children have the opportunity to visit
with friends from other classrooms through recess, lunch, grade
level field trips and other enrichment activities.
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Benefits & Observations of Children from
the GPPSS Multiage Class
Academic
Achievement
Enhancing
Self-Esteem
Building
Character
Caring for
Community
– Younger children are exposed to higher grade level
curriculum and older children have previous curriculum
reinforced through passive exposure within the classroom.
– Are able to solve problems easier
– Are very flexible in learning situations
– Are confident learners and adapt quickly to same-age
classroom environments
– Learn to effectively deal with ‘real life’ issues
– Are able to work with a variety of children and groups
– Tend to become leaders in their classroom
– Are divergent thinkers
– Are able work independently
– Older children learn to act as mentors to younger children
– Participate in community service projects
– Inclusion of extended family members in classroom activities
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Multiage Classroom Considerations
In order to implement multiage classrooms efficiently and effectively,
parents and teachers need to be educated regarding the underlying
philosophies of the multiage class. New teachers to the multiage
classroom need to be educated on how to implement differentiated
instructional strategies, environments and assessments. Parents
need to be provided with classroom information so that they
understand and support their child’s learning and growth.
School administrators should consider multiage education as a viable
“alternative program” that should be available to any student and
treat these classrooms as a smaller learning community or school
within a school.
Teacher ‘buy-in’ and preparedness are important considerations. Since
children are in the classroom for 3 years the stability of the teacher
in that classroom is critical.
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Building
Character
Academic
Achievement
Multiage
Education
Caring for
Community
Enhancing
Self-Esteem
This document was prepared by the faculty, teacher and parents of
Trombly and the Multiage class. It is intended to provide an introduction
to multiage classroom philosophy and it’s implementation at Trombly
Elementary school.
March 2010.
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