Social-Emotional

The Flip-Side Of Academic Acceleration: Why I Started The Sycamore School

April 11, 2017

Stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious. Sound familiar? I’m not talking about you, I’m talking about your kids! As families prepare to take a much needed spring break next week, now is a good time to talk about why our kids are more burnt out than some corporate executives, and how parents can help their kids chill out on spring break, and even when they return to school. Middle and high school students are under pressure: Social pressure is high and social acceptance can now be measured by social media stats. Worse yet, kids never get a break from the social pressure, even after their school day is over. The Sycamore School is addressing social issues by giving students a place to talk about socialization as well as adolescent development and explicitly teaching students skills to increase self-awareness, self-regulation and effective communication skills. Extracurricular pressure is mounting. Particularly in our highly competitive region, our kids…

Is The Sycamore School a Montessori School?

March 7, 2017

Parents and other professionals often ask if The Sycamore School is a Montessori School. The short answer is no. The more complete answer is that TSS shares many commonalities with Montessori programs and would be a good fit for students with a Montessori background, as we strive to cultivate many of the same attributes of Montessori programs: curiosity, creativity, initiative, independence, intrinsic motivation, respect, and love of learning. What is Montessori? According to the American Montessori Association, “The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori’s Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.” Ways that TSS is similar to a Montessori School 1. Students & teachers are partners in learning – Teachers serve as a guide and facilitator, helping students seek out new opportunities to explore content; students learn how to…

For kids to thrive, school should be a good fit

February 8, 2017

Is your school a good fit? As a parent, one of our biggest concerns can be making sure our children are thriving in their current school setting. When our children struggle and are unhappy at school, it creates considerable stress for the student and the whole family. Often it is this stress that leads parents to seek private school. As you consider school options for your children, be sure to ask potential school administrators “what is your school’s target student? Who are you serving?” At The Sycamore School, we’re intentionally recruiting a diverse community of learners that reflect the range of abilities you would encounter in the general population. We are particularly seeking students who might be surviving – but not thriving – in their current learning environment. Students who would be a good fit at The Sycamore School Students with a Montessori background – because they already have many…

Behind the Scenes of Starting A New School

November 18, 2016

T- 292 days until the first day of classes! Whew, it’s been a whirlwind week at The Sycamore School! For this Founder/Head of School, I am thankful for coffee, supportive community members and good old fashioned adrenaline to keep me going during this start-up phase for our school. Monday I observed an elementary school class at Full Circle Montessori. It was delightful to see students actively engaged in their learning. The room was filled with activity; students walked from one table to another with purpose; some students were chatting while working in a group while others were quietly working on their own. It was amazing to see every student absorbed in learning – focused, active and happy. When I think of a Sycamore School classroom, that’s what I think of – some students working independently and others in pairs or larger groups. Every student is engrossed and taking ownership of…

Independent School Serving 5th-12th grades in Northern Virginia

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