Highland Free School
Preschool in Tucson, AZ 85719
Highland Free School celebrated its 40th birthday on February 19, 2010. When we first opened our doors as a private school, we were embarking on an educational experiment to provide a unique learning environment for parents and students looking for an alternative to public schools. Our non-profit school was founded upon educational principles that were, at the time, fresh and innovative. Concepts such as the open classroom, where students no longer had to sit in straight rows of desks, and student-based curriculum that eliminated standard textbooks in favor of educational programs based on a students individual readiness and interests. We involved students and their parents and tried to build a school community that would integrate the childs school life and family life.
We watched many such alternative schools come and go over the past 4 decades; schools that may not have had the level of staff and parent commitment or the solid educational philosophy that we had developed at Highland. Our school is one of the last remaining in the country founded during the free school movement that has been in continuing operation since that time. Although we have now been a charter school for the past 6 years, we still maintain our high standards of excellence and our basic educational ideals. We have proven that our philosophy is sound, and our educational methods work and have successfully helped guide children in their process of becoming happy, productive and successful adults.
- Child Ages:
- 6 weeks - 6 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- Arizona Department of Health Services Division of Licensing Services
- Preschool:
- Yes
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The educational philosophy at Highland is based upon the fact that children are naturally inquisitive and excited by learning. Our goal is to keep that inquisitiveness alive.
Students are given freedom of choice and learn to take responsibility for their choices. We emphasize the development of self-discipline and self-control, rather than external control. Discipline is based on the theory of logical and natural consequences, developed by Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs.
Our school maintains a 12 to 1 student- teacher ratio. This low ratio allows us to individualize academic instruction for each child. Students are able to work at their own pace and skill level.
Our curriculum is aligned with the Arizona Academic Standards and includes individualized, skill-based packets and workbooks for the introduction and practice of basic skills. However, our emphasis is on integrated, thematic units that use hands-on, innovative activities and projects designed to give students practice applying those basic skills.
Student achievement is measured using a variety of assessment tools, including teacher observation and documentation, pre and post-testing, quizzes, CBMs, and AIMS/Stanford 10 assessment. Teachers compose narrative progress reports charting each childs accomplishments and skill levels three times a year. Although teachers are in contact with parents on a daily basis, conferences are scheduled at least twice a year to discuss their childs progress.
