Empowering Lifelong Learners: The Self-Directed Approach at The Sycamore School

TSS Teacher with Student

The Sycamore School’s vision is to cultivate curious, independent, lifelong learners. Supporting self-directed learning is foundational to this goal.   Traditional learning often involves a teacher lecturing the class and students receiving instruction. It can feel passive with an overfocus on compliance. At TSS, we want students to actively engage in their learning, asking questions, and ultimately driving their own learning.  In middle school, this starts by helping students build self-awareness, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills.  We often begin by teaching students how to be ready to learn. Ready to learn means you are present, focused, and attending to the present task. We make learning purposeful. At the beginning of a class, teachers will work with students to create a specific goal they want to achieve during that class. This helps them focus their efforts, knowing they will return to that goal at the end of class.  At TSS, students are actively engaged…

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School Fit: A Teacher’s Reflection

teacher and student at private school

Can a school really make a dramatic difference to a student? I began my classroom teaching career at another independent private school in the region, which was in many ways the diametric opposite of The Sycamore School. Their respective approaches to education and student support diverged from the start. Early Emphasis on AP Classes The first school I taught at was founded on the idea that American schools failed to challenge their students.  Their solution was simple: lots of AP classes as early as possible and challenging curricula, even at the middle school level. Sixth graders tackle “Julius Caesar” while “Macbeth” is slated for 7th graders. Students are pushed from 5th grade onward to focus on tests and grades almost exclusively.  Starting in 6th and 7th grade, students take a test halfway through the year and another at the end.  Each test counts 50% of that semester’s grade. The pressure…

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College and Career Readiness

High school Junior researching colleges

As the new College & Career Readiness counselor, I’ve had the unique opportunity to help our Juniors and Seniors establish clarity and progress on their goals in preparation for high school graduation. Students may choose to attend a university or a trade school while others may wish to launch directly into the workforce. It is also common for students to take a gap year. Our mission here at TSS is to help students accomplish their goals and foster their independence.  All Juniors and Seniors take our Seminar course, where they explore career interests, develop a resume, practice informational interviewing, and research internship opportunities. Students also receive considerable support with their college search and application process. We take students on college visits, invite college counselors to speak with our students, and meet with students and their parents to develop a comprehensive plan to prepare for life beyond high school. We also…

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A New Year. A New Space.

Middle and HIgh School staff in Rosslyn private school

A new year in a new space for The Sycamore School! After months of planning, veteran students and staff joined newcomers in our expanded middle and high school space at 1550 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, just up the hill from the Metro. Reasons Behind the Move Why the move? The imminent redevelopment of the hotel-office complex in Ballston that housed the school since it opened in 2017 certainly figured highly. TSS is also growing at a measured pace, making more room in a newer building very attractive. But, finding building space that can accommodate an independent school’s requirements takes work. A school can only occupy lower floors, and the building must be ready to deal with dozens of students coming and going simultaneously. So, TSS had to widen its search beyond Ballston. Staff and students loved the Ballston area, especially the diverse offerings around the Ballston Quarter Mall. Rosslyn offers…

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Six Tips to Start the New School Year Strong

School Counselors discuss how to start the new school year strong

A new school year is always full of excitement and possibility, but it can also bring with it some fear and anxiety. Whether you are a student, parent, or teacher, the beginning of a new school year brings a unique sense of anticipation. This can be especially true for students starting in a new school or a new grade. What are the teachers going to be like? Will the other kids be friends with me? These are questions students might be asking themselves. As parents, we know you want your child to be happy and successful. Let’s explore six tips to start the new school year strong for parents and students. 1. Embrace Change Every new school year is a chance to start over. You can think of a new school year as a fresh start, a time to embrace the “what-ifs” and potential for growth. Though new beginnings can be…

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Summer. A New Beginning.

Middle School students enjoying school

I’ve always thought of time in the context of school: that the beginning of the year starts in September and ends in August.  I’m often puzzled when people speak about the end of the year in December, celebrating New Year’s Eve, and making resolutions reserved only for the new calendar year.   For me, that time of reflection is in the summer. Summer is the treat we get after a long school year.  It’s a time to reset.  We can (hopefully) relax, connect with old friends, get around to reading that book that’s been sitting on our nightstand, and refinish that shelf that’s been in the garage for a while. Summer gives us a time to reflect and think about what we want to focus on and how we want the upcoming fall to go.  Rosslyn Expansion This summer has been less about relaxing and more about prepping for the…

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From Struggling Student to Successful Teacher: My Journey with Executive Functioning Challenges

Middle School Boy and Girl Collaborating at School

I was a backpack stuffer.  All the papers I received during the day were crumpled and stuffed at the bottom of my backpack, crushed by the weight of objects I didn’t need. I couldn’t find anything. Homework assignments were turned in late or not at all. Permission slips never made it to my parents. And I would rather not discuss what happened to my lunch.  I failed every binder test. I didn’t know how to put papers in my binder or manage my time. I couldn’t break down long-term projects into manageable chunks. I struggled. All of this conspired to tank my self-esteem. I wanted to do well in school but didn’t know how.  Does this sound familiar to anyone? Looking back, I now know I needed help with executive functioning.  Executive functioning is managing time, focusing attention, remembering instructions, prioritizing, and completing multiple tasks. This applies to school, home,…

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Social Media as Creative Writing Curriculum

The Sycamore School’s Journalism & Yearbook Class is a daily elective where students actively contribute to our school’s social media. This class empowers them to contribute to the narrative and culture of TSS while developing their capacity to make ideas visible with words, pictures, and videos. Social Media as Collaboration The student social media unit began with the selection of a holiday/ day of celebration. Students went through guided practice with immediate feedback on their post copy and graphic.  As their skills developed, students worked collaboratively to research holidays and celebrations, adding them to a planning calendar and claiming which posts they would like to create. When students claim a holiday, they create the graphic, write the copy, and choose a minimum of three hashtags. Upon completion, the post is approved by a teacher and scheduled on the school’s social media platforms. Students have total control over the posts and…

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A Parent Guide for Helping Your Child Beat the Winter Blues

Sad girl

The short days and less favorable weather of winter often have an adverse impact on our general mood. It is not uncommon for individuals — including children — to find it difficult to stay active and optimistic during the winter months.  What is “Winter Blues” vs. Seasonal Affective Disorder (“SAD”) The “winter blues” describe the sadness and fatigue that many people experience during the winter. It may cause symptoms such as sluggishness, low interest in activities, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating.  Is your child has more serious symptoms, such as feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide. This could be SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a condition that affects around 4% to 6% of people. This can cause depression in both men and women, especially during the winter months. It’s important to note the difference between SAD and the winter blues; SAD is a rare diagnosed condition, and more…

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The Sycamore School is Moving to Rosslyn

High School in Rosslyn

The Sycamore School is moving to Rosslyn! After six years in Ballston, TSS has decided that we are ready to take the next step in our journey and move into a space that accommodates our growth over the years. From how far we’ve come, to how far we hope to go, we know this move will be beneficial to our students, staff, and community. Where We’ve Been: Ballston When TSS was founded, it was designed as an urban model school. Being based in Arlington may seem like a limitation, since there are not acres of land available to house a large campus. However, we take this as an opportunity to explore the countless museums, nature centers, and historical sites that are only a metro ride away.  We utilize community resources to augment our on-site resources. For our version of PE, which we call Movement & Mindfulness, we regularly visit local…

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Exploring Executive Functioning Skills & Parent Tips

Exploring Executive Functioning Skills & Parent Tips

Executive functioning skills are all the skills needed to engage in goal-directed behavior, such as planning a vacation or organizing a birthday party. We use them every day, throughout the day. Many people think of it as organizational skills, but it’s much more. Executive functioning skills also help us with emotional regulation. The Three Categories of Executive Functioning Skills: Executive Functioning is Situational If we think about a student being given an assignment or an activity to do at school, we can describe several different executive functioning skills needed to complete this task successfully. The student first needs to select an approach and figure out how to start the activity. Once they have started, how do they sustain focus and motivation? If they have questions or get stuck, can they ask for help? Then, how do they know when they’re done and have satisfied the requirements?  Another area that requires…

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Parent Blog: How Being Able to Trust The Sycamore School Is The Best Thing

Parent Blog: How Being Able to Trust The Sycamore School Is The Best Thing

This blog is a part of a series where parents of The Sycamore School’s students share their experiences on what it’s like to be a part of the TSS community and the impact TSS has made on their children. Through these blogs, we hope you’ll gain inside knowledge and understanding of what to expect when you enroll your student in our small, independent school using the mastery-based learning approach.  See the previous blog: How The Sycamore School Changed My Life (and My Daughter’s) At The Sycamore School, I trust each and every staff member who interacts with my child:  faculty, administrative staff, and counselors. As a parent of two TSS students, with a combined six years at TSS, I have consistently been able to trust The Sycamore School to teach my children the skills they need to master the content and thrive in and out of the classroom. Due to…

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