Frequently Asked Questions
What are the school hours?
Our “drop off window” runs from 8:00 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. School begins promptly at
8:15 a.m. Students may be picked up beginning at 3:15 and ending at 3:30.
Do you provide before and after-school care?
We do not currently have a before and after school program; however we do work with
several centers which offer school-aged care and provide transportation to and from
our facility.
Do the students wear uniforms?
No, our students do not wear uniforms. We do, however, have a dress code for the
school. We believe that school is a child’s work and, therefore, we expect neat, clean,
modest dress, as well as attire that will allow for active learning and freedom of
movement. The dress code is outlined in detail in our family handbook.
Do you have a hot lunch program?
For the most part, students bring packed lunches to school. We do have a buy out
lunch program from a local deli offering fresh sandwiches, soups, and salads each day.
On Fridays, we have “Pizza Day,” and pizza-by-the-slice is available from a local
restaurant.
Why do you employ multiage classrooms?
We firmly believe that learning is developmental – just as are so many other aspects of
childhood. Therefore, multiage classrooms allow students to learn at a pace that is
developmentally appropriate and free from the pressures of having to meet “grade”
expectations. All students are placed in classrooms based on their social, emotional,
and academic needs. Individual expectations ensure that each child is challenged in
accordance with his/her abilities.
How do multiage classrooms work?
Instruction in a multiage classroom does not differ dramatically from what one should
expect in a quality “graded” classroom. Within the classroom, students are grouped for
lessons, according to their academic needs. Groups are flexible, and students move in
and out of groups as necessary. In cases where all students are studying the same
content, for example science, geography, and history, the expectations for
performance are adjusted to meet each student’s academic needs.
What is your school’s philosophy on homework?
We believe homework to be practice and reinforcement of concepts taught in class.
That said, we plan homework to be purposeful and as brief as possible for students to
gain that practice. Often, students are given several days to complete an assignment,
giving them practice in time management. In addition, we do ask all students at our
school to read for pleasure each evening.
Do you offer “extra-curricular” opportunities for students?
Yes. Our students have the option to participate in drama, enrichment, and sports
activities that are independent from our program. These are provided at extra cost to
families. We seek out opportunities to bring quality, after-school experiences to our
students whenever possible.
Is foreign language part of your curriculum?
Yes. Our students receive instruction in Spanish. Students at the Primary and Early
Intermediate levels receive Spanish instruction twice per week, while students at the
Late Intemediate and Middle Grades levels receive Spanish instruction three times per
week. Students are taught to speak and understand the Spanish language, as well as a
bit about Spanish culture.
What “Specials” do you offer?
All students receive instruction in Art and Music weekly. Instruction in Physical
Education is delivered twice a week. In addition, Middle Grades students receive
weekly health instruction.
How does NCCS report progress?
Students receive progress reports quarterly. Our progress reports endeavor to give
families specific, relevant information about each child’s progress. Our younger
students are graded using a number system which indicates their progress in terms of
expectations for their ages. Our older students receive “letter grades” based on their
performance on both formal and informal assessments. All students receive a lengthy
narrative report outlining specific strengths and needs both academically and socially.
Our students also keep academic portfolios, which are a record of their growth from
the beginning of the school year until its conclusion.
Do you have parent conferences?
While parents are encouraged to make conference appointments at any time of the year
as concerns or questions arise, we have two designated “Conference Days” each school
year: one during the first quarter and another during the third quarter. Our
Conference Days are designed to include parents, teachers, and students. We feel it is
important for students to be involved in discussions of their progress as we feel it
gives them a stronger sense of “ownership” in their academic pursuits.
Do students get recess?
Most definitely! Growing bodies and minds are invigorated and energized by fresh air
and active play. All students receive approximately 30 minutes of recess daily,
depending upon the schedule for the day. We take students outdoors as much as
possible.
What about field trips?
We consider field trips to be natural extensions of our classroom learning; therefore we
take several curriculum-related field trips each year. Our students have been
everywhere from fossil-hunting at Calvert Cliffs to The White House. Some of our trips
include the whole school, while others are specific to certain age groups. Our Middle
Grades students take two overnight trips per school year: to one of two outdoor
schools in the fall, and to a major U.S. metropolitan area in the spring. Field trip costs
are not included in the cost of tuition.
How do you handle discipline issues?
While we don’t usually have behavior problems at school, we have a logical system in
place to handle the occasional misbehavior. We teach students to be problem solvers
and this strategy continues into the area of discipline. When problems arise, we work
with students to have them problem solve the issue. We teach students to recognize
that from mistakes comes learning. Whenever necessary, we involve parents or other
care-givers in this process. We consistently expect courteous, respectful, responsible
behavior from our students, and the adults in our building, and we are generally not
disappointed!
What is your student-teacher ratio?
Our ratio depends on the age of the children. In our Primary Classroom, the ratio is
1:15. In our Early Intermediate Classroom, the ratio is 1:18. In our Late Intermediate
Classroom, the ratio is 1:20. In our Middle Grades Classroom, the ratio is 1:22.