Educational Goals
Comprehensive, optimum development of each child: intellectual, physical, social, self, and character:
- Achievement of academic excellence
- Developing the learning dispositions and intellectual skills necessary for school success
- Maintaining an engaged, reflective, inquisitive mind
- Achieving excellence in language and literacy
- Achieving excellence in science and social studies
- Achieving excellence in logical/mathematical understanding
- Preparation for success in life
- Becoming a confident and competent lifelong learner
- Becoming a confident and competent user of technology
- Developing emotional intelligence: personal power and social skills
- A rich and rewarding childhood
- Happy days
- Wonderful relationships with other children and adults
- A world of experience
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Program Description
The Bright Horizons School curriculum empowers children to become confident, successful, lifelong learners by creating developmentally appropriate environments in which each child learns what the world is like, how it works and what he or she is capable of achieving. Schools offer two pathways to learning: A Progressive approach or the Montessori method.
Both approaches feature the following 8 Key Concepts:
- High expectations for every child
- Prime times: the importance of adult-child interactions
- Planned child choice learning environments
- Emergent curriculum
- Developmentally appropriate instruction
- Learning made visible through documentation and display
- Full parent partnerships
- 21st century technology
Both curriculum frameworks are based on a shared philosophy of education and support for families, and a recognition that Bright Horizons programs adapt to a range of goals, cultures, and contexts. Each option places a strong emphasis on the development of language, math, science, and technology skills.
All Bright Horizons schools meet or exceed state or national guidelines, the expectations of the schools that children will be attending in later years, and the goals of the family. Bright Horizons elementary schools consistently provide an innovative approach to learning, resulting in students who are well prepared, engaged and proud of their scholastic accomplishments. Combining academics with a strong sense of community, Bright Horizons schools help children to become global citizens, problem solvers and lifelong learners.
With the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 in the US, there has been an increasing focus on accountability in schools. This is true in Bright Horizons Schools as well. Bright Horizons Schools have established both Content Standards (which describe what students need to know, understand and be able to do in a specific content area, such as mathematics or science) as well as Performance Standards (which specify what levels of learning are expected). In many cases, these are determined by the state and local expectations in the region where the school resides.
In addition, Bright Horizons draws on standards and policies developed by national organizations such as the International Reading Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Montessori Society, etc.
The Bright Horizons elementary school curriculum fits within the context of the broader K – 12 curriculum, minimizing gaps in learning and reducing unnecessary overlap between grades. This requires knowledge of the programs that children come from and enter into. Each Bright Horizons school has clear statements of expectations at each grade level or at the end of each multi-year level.
How School-Age Children Learn:
The 8 Key Concepts of the Bright Horizons School Curriculum are built on the idea that children construct their own knowledge with the support of skilled teachers and a carefully planned environment. Bright Horizons Schools provide a setting where children are individually challenged to learn to their highest capacity.
According to Vygotsky, maximizing the child’s "Zone of Proximal Development" means matching the challenge provided to the child to the child’s readiness to take on this next challenge. A child reaches the developmental level she can on her own, but then needs the warm, skilled guidance and instruction of an adult to steer her towards the next level of understanding.
Children learn through a process of "assisted discovery". This includes joint problem-solving and collaboration, warmth and responsiveness from an adult who continually challenges the child slightly above his current level of understanding and lessens that involvement/support as the child becomes more competent in the skill/concept. Children construct their own knowledge, but adults and the social environment serve as the scaffold (support) to allow that construction of knowledge to occur.
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A Brief Q & A for Parents
There seems to be a lot of variety in Bright Horizons Schools. Why is that?
Bright Horizons has several school models. We have Montessori Schools, Progressive schools, a Charter School, and a language-infused school. Each school meets the unique needs of the families in the communities in which they operate. All schools meet state and local standards for excellence.
I want the best for my child. He's talented and I want him to get a leg up, a head start. What can I expect you to do?
You can expect us to listen to you and, with your help, come to know about your special and unique child and plan together to provide the experiences that your child needs to thrive in our school. Expect us to observe, listen to your child, and share our observations with you.
What can I do?
As educators and parents, we have to do similar things. The most important thing that you can do is spend time with your child and give him your undivided attention. During that time, listen to your child and have real conversations. Talk about his interests and ask questions that extend his thinking and vocabulary. Follow up particular interests with activities and projects. Read to your child a lot, read with your child, and have your child read to you. Involve your child in household tasks that involve reading and writing.
I have a lot of options. Why would I choose a Bright Horizons School?
All Bright Horizons schools meet or exceed state or national guidelines, the expectations of the schools that children will be attending in later years, and the goals of the family. Bright Horizons elementary schools consistently provide an innovative approach to learning, resulting in students who are well prepared, engaged and proud of their scholastic accomplishments.
Bright Horizons Schools are led by individuals who understand working with families and how important families are in their child’s education. The leadership team at your child’s school as well as the faculty will work with you to provide the right education for your child. We are a mission-driven company which believes that the early years are critical for setting the stage for life-long learning. The faculty who will work with your child, the partnerships we will form with you, and our quality individualized curriculum based on state or national standards make our programs stand out in the communities we serve.
What about enrichment: special classes and activities?
Our schools offer a variety of enrichment opportunities in music, dance and movement, athletics, theater, and so forth, based on parental and child interest. At the same time, doing things with your child that you both enjoy doing is often more valuable than doing things simply because they are "good for the child." If your child shows an interest in special activities, take advantage of opportunities for enrichment, but still leave ample unscheduled "down" time for your child to play and "mess around." Those times are important developmentally because those are the times when your child learns who she is and what she can be.
Is there anything else that I need to know about Bright Horizons Schools?
Yes. Our curriculum is not static. It will continue to grow and change, taking advantage of new research, new ideas, new technology, and feedback from children, parents, and teachers.
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