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Program Description
Primary Division at TURNINGPOINT back
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Long
before "developmentally appropriate curriculum" and "hands-on
learning" became the watchwords of early childhood education, TURNINGPOINT
realized the importance of creating a nurturing, stimulating and challenging
supportive setting to meet the needs of young children as they begin
to explore their world. the school's commitment is to the total child
-- his/her social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. With
careful guidance and direction from their teachers, children become
happy, confident, independent learners of life skills.
Primary classrooms are carefully prepared environments with both traditional Montessori materials and additional learning activities designed so children will be successful at their work and continue to explore and advance. Underlying every activity and interaction is TURNINGPOINT's understanding of and respect for each child as a unique individual. Each child is exposed to all aspects of the subject matter, being stimulated and challenged without being pushed. Time is always given for repetition and enjoyment of learning.
The child and curriculum grow together. Primary teachers are experienced and proficient observers. Teachers determine each child's stage of developmental growth, which tasks have been mastered and which challenges are next. The curriculum, therefore, extends over several years.
The ground rules
which guide the behavior of children to an eventual mastery of self-discipline
are based on courtesy, common sense, safety, and respect for self and
others as well as the environment. This is the basis of relationships
at TURNINGPOINT among individuals and with the community at large.
Kindergarten
and First Grade at TURNINGPOINT back
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One of the unique
features of TURNINGPOINT is that there are two distinct environments
where children can receive their kindergarten skills: the third year
of the multi-aged Primary class or the first year of the multi-aged
K-1 class. The tremendous benefit of TURNINGPOINT's kindergarten program
is that children are able to develop at their own pace, with each student's
readiness being used as the gauge by which skills are taught. Both programs
recognize developmental characteristics of children and the nurturing
that children need at this age. While chronological age does factor
into placement, TURNINGPOINT does not maintain a strict birthday cut-off.
Instead, we evaluate the social, emotional, and cognitive development
of each child. While there are no guarantees, if a child experiences
his or her kindergarten year in the primary program, K-1 may be a one
year program for that child before he or she moves to Level 2 the following
year.
While the cognitive content is consistent in both programs, it is the social atmosphere which primarily differentiates Primary from K-1. Kindergarten children in Primary have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills in a small peer group while learning to be a part of a larger class. These children have more time to master social skills as they prepare to enter the elementary division. The kindergarten children in Primary deal with less transitions, fewer specialist classes, and a shorter day. In K-1, children come to school exhibiting positive coping techniques, and are therefore able to handle transitions, use words to problem-solve, and maintain self-control in both large and small groups. Separation from parents in K-1 should be smooth for both parent and child.
Integrated language arts is a large component of our kindergarten program. We incorporate aspects of both the traditional and whole language philosophies, focusing on strategies that build on a strong literature base, prior knowledge, and personal experiences. The children are surrounded with literacy in their classrooms because children learn best when they are constantly exposed to language. Literature is used as a springboard for teaching phonetics, for reinforcing letter recognition, and for enhancing students' sight word vocabularies.
Mathematics in TURNINGPOINT's kindergarten program is very hands-on. Skills are introduced through manipulatives to enhance understanding of concepts; manipulative, computer, and paper/pencil activities reinforce these skills. More reinforcement is achieved as reading and writing are integrated into the math program. Children write story problems, draw pictures, and listen to literature which ignites their mathematical curiosities.
For those families unsure about the best kindergarten environment for their child, there is ample time in the admissions process to discuss individual children and their needs. TURNINGPOINT's kindergarten programs are as unique as the children themselves.
Elementary
Division at TURNINGPOINT back
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TURNINGPOINT offers children the highest standard
of education in an environment that is stimulating and self-fulfilling.
The academic, emotional, social, and physical needs of the students
are met by a balanced and creative curriculum taught by and experienced
and dedicated faculty.
The Elementary Division, K-1 through 5, uses sound and proven teaching practices which embrace new and innovative ideas when appropriate. The K-1 level allows for a smooth transition for students from the Montessori-based Primary level to the more traditional curriculum found at the Elementary levels. The time spent at this level is determined by the student's readiness to proceed to level 2.
At levels 2 through 5, children are grouped in single levels appropriate to the steady growth and development exhibited by children at this stage. Level 5 has the responsibility of organizing specific school functions. In this way, the students at the upper levels learn to handle civic responsibilities as well as perform a service for the rest of the student body at TURNINGPOINT.
TURNINGPOINT has maintained its commmitment to educating the "whole child" by implementing a strong skill-based curriculum, rich with diversity. At each level, the core subjects of reading, language arts, mathematics, and social sciences are taught by teachers in self-contained classrooms. Additional instruction taught by specialists in art, music, Spanish, science, and athletics is integrated into the curriculum, expanding the educational horizons of the students. In all subjects, attention is paid to the teaching of skills in a sequential and interrelated manner. Students at TURNINGPOINT learn to be inquiring, creative, and conscientious in their pursuit of knowledge.
Study tours, which include field trips to museums, cultural centers, regions of geographical interest, and other educational locales, provide learning experiencces for students beyond those in the classroom. Activities, such as participating in the planning and orchestration of Earth Day, bring current events and social issues onto the TURNINGPOINT campus. The fine arts program offers arenas for artistic expression in various media. The comprehensiveness of the athletic program offers fitness, agility, and flexibility of the body as well as the mind in a non-competitive environment.
The atmosphere at TURNINGPOINT, both in the classroom and throughout the campus, reflects the confidence, enthusisasm, and sense of well-being that is shared by both students and staff. TURNINGPOINT's goal of educating the whole child, and the program and methods used to attain this goal, are the motivators of this success.
Middle
School at TURNINGPOINT back
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Middle school students
need a learning environment that provides stability and insular protection,
with teachers who support risk taking in the classroom. They need to
be recognized and acknowledged. TURNINGPOINT School is committed to
achieving in its educational program the perfect balance between the
finest in educational theory and the genuine in character education.
We have created a small community for learning where stable, close,
mutually respectful relationships with adults and peers are considered
fundamental for intellectual development, cognitive and personal growth.
Our faculty members have been carefully selected for their expertise and ability to relate to and teach children facing this period of accelerated development, as well as for their adherence to the philosophy that guides the middle school movement. Small classes, which are essential to creating an intimate learning atmosphere where students can search for their identity, become independent thinkers, and develop personal responsibility, are available at TURNINGPOINT.
The Middle School at TURNINGPOINT begins with Level 6 and continues through Level 8. Classes have two sections per grade level, with no more than 18 students in a section. Our classrooms are learner-centered and designed as dynamic, living, and learning environments where students are taught to think globally. The core subjects of study at each level are foreign language (French, Latin, and Spanish), language arts, literature, mathematics, science, and social studies.
There are many aspects of TURNINGPOINT School's Middle School that are unique to our program. Students have an opportunity to do original research at the Ballona Wetlands. The Wetlands Project joins our school's research to that of four other schools, two in Australia and one in Oregon. Other signature programs include art, athletics, dance, debate, drama, instrumental and vocal music, journalism, and technology. Study Tours are an integral part of the curriculum in grades 6-8, just as they are form K-1 forward. At the beginning of the school year all Middle School students participate in an outdoor educational trip designed also to give students and faculty the opportunity for personal growth and comraderie. In the spring, each level travels to a different city in the United States to experience first hand what they have been learning in the classroom.
Our holistic approach
to teaching the "whole child" supports our goal to produce
good citizens through a curriculum that includes both studies and life
experiences that support good ethics and morality. Following in the
tradition of our lower school, our Middle School is dedicated to serving
its community and the world at large. TURNINGPOINT offers learning situations
and experiences that will develop interests that go far beyond formal
education and exams, to create learners who have an enduring attitude
toward what is learned and toward learning itself. Cutting edge programs
together with the traditional tried and true create the perfect balance
for TURNINGPOINT students to become competitive learners, prepared for
the challenges
and opportunities that upper school and life beyond will offer.
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