1st / 2nd Grade Blend
(Meadowlarks)
There’s Always Room For More!
The faculty and staff are excited to announce that Marylhurst Early Childhood Center is expanding into The Marylhurst School. Our program, with over forty years of experience educating young children, will now educate children in our tradition of developmentally appropriate practices by our incredible faculty. The primary grade expansion will roll out with a 1st/2nd grade blend in 2012, a 3rd/4th grade blend in 2013, and a 5th/6th grade blend in 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is curriculum developed in the primary grades?
A two year rolling, thematic curriculum connects our values to the personal experiences of the child and to the whole classroom.
Are music, art, PE and other programs offered at the Marylhurst School?
We believe that music, art and PE are vital parts of the curriculum, not extracurricular. They are integrated within the curriculum, are personal to the child and used to deepen and broaden thematic studies. It’s an opportunity to collaborate and use the faculty’s passions and strengths.
At this time, we continue to explore best practices for the introduction and study of a second language and culture.
What is your assessment practice?
We will not be using standardized tests as an assessment tool. We believe that assessments should be authentic and ongoing and reflect the child’s growth and changing needs.
Individual progress of the child will be communicated through parent teacher conferences, written narratives and a year to year portfolio.
What is your homework philosophy?
We believe homework is an opportunity to deepen the process of learning. Homework is used to practice developing the positive habits of inquiry. Time after school does not belong to the school alone, but to the families, social connections and individual passions.
How is technology used?
We understand the importance of technology as a tool in our society. It will be only one of many tools children will learn to utilize. We believe technology is an ever changing idea and we will teach children to use technology in an ethical and resourceful way.
How will you support individual learning styles?
We have low student to teacher ratios allowing us to get to know children and their learning styles. We as teachers don’t have the jurisdiction to diagnose learning disabilities, but we have excellent resources within our community.
Will my child be ready for their next educational step?
Learning, based upon the core competencies will assure your child success in whatever situation they find themselves after graduating from the Marylhurst School.
Why should I send my child here?
We recognize that every child is unique. Our core competencies lie at the heart of good education. The Marylhurst School has always valued the partnership between teacher, family and community.
How much will it cost?
Primary school annual tuition has been set at $5500 for kindergarten and $6800 for 1st-6th grades.
These figures were determined based on several factors. Ian Symmonds, our hired education consultant conducted a full market segmentation analysis and current MECC parent survey in the spring of 2011. His firm reported a viable market for private school within a 5 miles radius of our current space, and current MECC families cited overall value for cost as the most important price point factor.
Where will the school be housed?
The affordable Barclay Building lease coupled with our current available reserve capitol, has led both our commercial realtor as well as the Board budget subcommittee to recommend that we remain in our current space for the 2012-13 school year. During this time we will focus on raising additional capital with the goal of either securing a long term lease for the current property and renovating the Barclay building and outbuilding, or continuing our search for another location that will appropriately serve the needs of our current programs and the primary school within 5 miles of our current space.
What is the admissions process?
Applications will be available during Open House and are due with the $100 application fee* by February 17th. Priority will be given to currently enrolled preschool families whose applications are received by the due date. Late applications will be reviewed on a space available basis.
The primary school admissions process also includes a student visitation day**, as well as a parent conference. Selected candidates will receive letters offering enrollment at the end of March.
*The application fee is waived for the twos program.
**The student visitation day is waived for current MECC students.