What is Multiage Education?
Multiage education is the
practice of teaching children of
different ages in the same
classroom without dividing them
into "grade" designations. The
purpose of this deliberate
grouping is to promote
increased learning, enhance
social skills, foster cooperation,
and develop an appreciation for
individual differences.
Websites with
Additional Information:
http://multiagemagic.wikispaces.co
m/What+Is+Multiage%3F
http://www.ednewsparent.org/teac
hing-learning/8157-ask-an-expertare-multi-age-groupings-good-forkids
http://multiagelearningnetwork.org/
The primary multiage classes at
West include first and second
graders, ranging in age from six
to nine years old. Each class is
composed of an approximately
equal number at each grade
level. Class sizes are
equivalent to other primary
classes in the building. In most
cases, students remain in the
same classroom with the same
teacher for two years.
All students participate in the
same units of study; however,
math is taught by grade level.
Multiage focuses on the
personal progress of each
individual child within the
community of learners.
http://www.multiageeducation.com/multiagelinks
http://www.share2learn.com/comp
onents.html
http://www.fwps.org/info/faq/multia
gebenefits.pdf
http://www.choosingmultiage.com/
marions_resources/Myths.pdf
Article entitled “Multiage:
instructionally and fiscally
sound” (Feb. 2011), Schaumburg
School District #54:
http://sd54.org/2011/02/multiageinstructionally-and-fiscally-sound/
An Educational Choice
for West Families
West Elementary School
100 Briarwood Road
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 459-2749
School District #47
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
MULTIAGE CLASSROOM
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH
Most of the research on
multiage classrooms has
been at the elementary level.
Standardized measures of
achievement
found
that
students in multiage settings
performed better than or as
well as children in singlegrade classrooms. (Gutierrez
and Slavin, 1992, Pavan,
1992, and Miller, 1995,
Logue, 2006) As teachers, we
realize there are too many
variables that impact a child’s
academic achievement that
cannot be equalized, but
studies support that multiage
classrooms are academically
strong.
Some research
suggests that students in
multiage settings achieved a
higher cognitive developmental level at a faster rate
than those in classrooms of
same-age peers (Frosco et
al., 2004). Reports also
indicate
that
multiage
environments benefit students
both emotionally and socially.
Miller (1990).
Your child will experience a quality
education in any District #47
classroom. Please consider the
factors listed below, which are
unique to Multiage classrooms.

Two year program supports
continuous learning

Continuity and security of the
same teacher and routines for
two years

Increased leadership
responsibilities for older
students

Less time is spent assessing
individuals at the start of each
school year.

Greater interaction occurs
between students of varying
ages.

Peer role models assist in
establishing routines.

Time allows for stronger
relationships between studentsteachers-parents.
Working together, experienced
students demonstrate more
advanced skills. This benefits the
younger students and reinforces
the mastery of skills through the
coaching process.
A Teacher’s Point of View
Multiage is a gift I give
myself . . . I am allowed the
opportunity to get to know the
children over a longer period
of time. Multiage is the gift I
give my students . . . they
have time to get to know each
other and me.
Multiage forces me to look
at my class as individuals.
Each child varies in age, has
different
interests
and
abilities, and comes with
diverse experiences. This
must
be
factored
into
everything we do.
Multiage allows me to
begin each year already
knowing half of my students
and their families. I know
what books they should be
reading and where their
strengths and interests lie.
Multiage allows me the
wonder of watching their
growth and progress over a
broader span of time. Their
accomplishments continue to
amaze me!