the Elementary school at Pioneer Springs - Grades K-5
Picture a typical classroom in any elementary or secondary school: visualize the desks all turned in the same direction, the teacher standing at the front of the room, the orderly quiet lines as students move from place to place, the time in front of computers or with heads down over textbooks. While this has become the norm, Pioneer Springs firmly subscribes to the belief that it is not the ideal. A host of research has validated that student performance is boosted by outdoor exposure and opportunities to move; that interaction with nature stimulates learners in ways no other environment can; that the most captivating content is found in first-hand engagement rather than read in books. Pioneer Springs uniquely represents this kind of interactive, nature-based, “get-dirty” educational opportunity in the Charlotte area and appeals to families who seek small class size, authentic engagement, and an educational experience that transcends the classroom. It is the only area school rooted in exploring the natural environment as a lab for learning math, science, and other disciplines, and does so against a 9 acre backdrop comprised of historical buildings, zip lines, a rock climbing wall, and natural play features.
Among the focal points of the school is our emphasis on the Basic School philosophy and its manifestation in a positive climate which empowers all students to feel comfortable and confident. Because we seek to grow the whole child--cognitive, social, emotional, and physical--we value an environment where children learn to respect commonalities and appreciate differences, and receive direction and support in talking through conflicts rather than acting them out. Both the “I am” creed and the class promise, recitations that remind students of their responsibilities to themselves and their classmates, are recited on a daily basis and used as touchstones to ground learners in community-held expectations. Our efforts with students are also mirrored by efforts within the larger community. These include ‘Pioneer Springs Presents…” community engagements with topics ranging from healthy eating strategies to compassionate parenting.
We’re Outside! At Pioneer Springs, our students are outside to learn and play, regardless of the weather or the subject. Our students experience nature and the changing seasons throughout the year and every school day. All students have their own rain boots and, on average, spend a minimum of 1/3 the school day outside each and every day.
Among the focal points of the school is our emphasis on the Basic School philosophy and its manifestation in a positive climate which empowers all students to feel comfortable and confident. Because we seek to grow the whole child--cognitive, social, emotional, and physical--we value an environment where children learn to respect commonalities and appreciate differences, and receive direction and support in talking through conflicts rather than acting them out. Both the “I am” creed and the class promise, recitations that remind students of their responsibilities to themselves and their classmates, are recited on a daily basis and used as touchstones to ground learners in community-held expectations. Our efforts with students are also mirrored by efforts within the larger community. These include ‘Pioneer Springs Presents…” community engagements with topics ranging from healthy eating strategies to compassionate parenting.
We’re Outside! At Pioneer Springs, our students are outside to learn and play, regardless of the weather or the subject. Our students experience nature and the changing seasons throughout the year and every school day. All students have their own rain boots and, on average, spend a minimum of 1/3 the school day outside each and every day.
