 |
 |
 |
|
Mission & Philosophy |
||
|
San Francisco Day School educates, nurtures and inspires girls and boys of diverse backgrounds to achieve their highest academic and creative potential, to embrace ethical values and to become active contributors to their communities.
Academic excellence includes what is learned, how it is learned, and the context in which it is learned. The SFDS curriculum is innovative, characterized by gifted teaching and rigorous assessment. It piques the interests of and strives to attend to the needs of each child. SFDS prides itself as a community of learners in which intellectual curiosity and love of learning are valued. Students acquire the skills of life-long learners, well equipped for the world beyond the Day School. They have command of the essential skills of reading, writing, speaking, computing and problem solving. They are expected to use technology to access and exchange information, to solve problems, to communicate with others, and to assist in individual research. They learn to value and appreciate their creative potential in the arts and master a wide range of physical skills. They are aware of their own gifts and challenges as learners and come to understand their own learning styles. Teachers foster an active and comfortable learning environment in their classrooms. They teach students to think deeply, evaluate and synthesize information, communicate their ideas effectively, and develop their creativity within a rich and varied curriculum. Teaching methods include hands-on learning, individual discovery and inquiry, cooperative and collaborative learning, critical thinking, and application of learning to real life. The School supports teachers to develop their skills continually through professional growth activities. Faculty develop innovative approaches to curriculum, based upon current educational research, best practices, and knowledge of state and national standards. To assure excellence, a rigorous curriculum review process incorporates outside consultants, visits to model programs in other schools, research and self-examination. Diversity is an important component of the academic excellence of the School. In a school committed to a diverse student body, students learn life lessons of understanding, acceptance, appreciation of differences and the common ground that unites all. Learning occurs both within and outside the confines of the School. Students learn to cooperate on the athletic fields, in classroom projects, and as leaders in the school community. They grow to understand their place in the broader community through a service learning program linked closely to the curriculum. They see their relationship with the natural world through an extensive outdoor education program. Students will leave SFDS confident to meet whatever challenges lie ahead. Ready to embrace the academic rigors of high school, they go on to become leaders in and contributors to their communities beyond SFDS. Diversity and inclusiveness in our community San Francisco Day School recruits, welcomes and celebrates children, families, faculty and staff that reflect the broad range of diversity in The Bay Area. The School invites its families, faculty and staff to come together and work toward a common set of goals in an inclusive and supportive community. The School seeks to create a strong sense of belonging and joy in its classrooms and among its families. Understanding the common ground within our community while respecting the differences among families and individuals is a hall mark of the School. The School values the strengths and accomplishments of the individuals who are part of the community and takes pride in and celebrates the diversity and special character of the community as a whole. Learn more about SFDS's commitment to diversity. Strong Partnership between school and family The School seeks families committed to its mission and shared values. Families are expected to volunteer their time to further the School's goals. They do so by giving time in the classrooms, assisting in the many parent-sponsored initiatives, and participating in fundraising activities and events. A close partnership between families and the School fosters mutual respect, trust, and open lines of communication. Families are expected to model respect and kindness for each other and the School. The School supports and is in turn supported by families as they seek to instill strong values and provide a rich educational program in which the children grow and thrive. Shared values of compassion, integrity, and responsibility SFDS strives to work in close alliance with families to inculcate in students a strong moral purpose. Students are encouraged to make judgments based on ethical principles that honor the values of equity and justice; they learn the importance of kindness, caring, and support toward and for one another. They are encouraged to stand up for their own convictions. They learn to show loyalty to the School and to take responsibility for themselves, their school and the outside community. They learn the essentials of teamwork: cooperation, collaboration, and resolution of conflict. Students are expected to live within the values, guidelines and rules set forth by the School and are guided to learn from their mistakes. The faculty and staff are expected to be role models, teaching through their words and actions as well as through the curriculum, the importance of living the values of the School each day. In addition, parents are encouraged to live these values by supporting each other, showing care and concern for all the children of the community, by communicating honestly and engaging in positive problem solving. Active involvement with the City The City of San Francisco provides an important learning laboratory for the School. Its rich cultural resources serve to support and enhance the curriculum in all grades. Students in all grades participate in an age-appropriate service learning program that educates the children about the challenges of urban life while providing an opportunity to become active contributors to organizations and individuals in the community. The service learning program flows from the curriculum and is an integral part of the overall learning experience. Students are empowered to make a difference in their community and learn the value of compassion, integrity and responsibility as life long habits. SFDS prides itself in being an urban school, seeking to enrich the community as it is enriched by it. SFDS sponsors and supports initiatives that extend its mission to children in the broader community. The School offers creative and academic enrichment programs open to children throughout the City. It opens its doors to neighborhood groups and forges alliances with other schools and community organizations to work for the good of the community and its children. All of these efforts affirm SFDS's deep commitment to the local community. Adopted by the Board of Trustees, April 10, 2001
|
||
|
|
