That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.
—Doris Lessing
Program Structure
Caedmon maintains a class structure that allows the instruction to be more individualized. The Caedmon School consists of six levels: Beginners (2.9 - 3.0 years) Early Program (2.9 to 5 year olds), Kindergarten, Lower Level (first and second grades), Middle Level (third and fourth grades), and Upper Level (fifth grade). Each class has two teachers - a head teacher and an associate.
Mixed age groups
An integral feature of the Caedmon philosophy; they provide children with a unique learning opportunity, as well as a positive social experience. In mixed age classrooms, older children act as the more competent mentors, while younger children are guided and challenged by these positive role models. By alternately experiencing both roles, the children are encouraged to learn from each other, take responsibility for each other, and respect each other’s gifts.
Individual and unique learning styles are an important factor in curriculum design — a wide variety of approaches is used to take such differences into account. The utilization of an inquisitive and experiential approach instills in the children the desire to pursue learning, the ability to acquire knowledge, and the incentive to work hard and to strive for excellence.
Caedmon’s academic program is enhanced by a rich program of specialists. The early program children go to movement and music classes as part of their morning program. The full day 4-year olds go to Science, Art, and Library in the afternoon. Starting in Kindergarten, the children attend specialist classes in Science, Library, Computer, Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Yoga two to three times a week. In the fall of 2009, the Kindergarten children will begin violin instruction during the school day. This program will advance through Middle Level in the next few years. The kindergarten children share the same facilities used by the older children and participate in the same special activities, including assemblies, two all-school plays, the autumn apple picking trip, the spring beach trip, and frequent field trips throughout New York City to various museums, galleries, and special exhibits.
