Admissions packet Synergy School

Synergy School

ADMISSIONS PACKET 2015-2016 �1

Admissions Packet

Synergy School is a progressive, independent K-8 school with a vibrant, diverse community and a commitment to social justice. Since 1973, the school has been providing a quality education by empowering children to flourish academically, to blossom as individuals, and to become self-confident, creative learners.

Spring Concert 2014

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION?Synergy has a commitment to hands-on learning and an experiential learning environment. We are

committed to the education of the whole child - intellectual, emotional, social, and physical.

Synergy’s approach to progressive education includes:

• An integrated, project-based curriculum

• Social responsibility and democratic participation

• Environmental and sustainability education

• Attention to the emotional environment and development of our students

• Teaching about diversity• Multiple perspectives of history• Original sources and literature instead of predominance of textbooks• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity, global perspective

• Open-minded approach, recognizing individuals and encouraging children to do the same

• Mixed age groupings and cross-age relationships

• Teachers who are trained in progressive teaching methods

• Wide variety of learning opportunities that give children insight into their choices in life

• Working in partnership with families to educate children

• Dedication to addressing learning styles and understanding and supporting differences in learning

• Differentiating and individualizing our curriculum

• An agreement system that encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and taking responsibility for personal actions


AGREEMENT SYSTEM

Our approach to children’s behavior is based on the belief that we all have the ability to look at ourselves honestly, to change, and to grow. The Agreement System is a vehicle through which our philosophy is expressed. It is a unifying force in the school and involves parents, staff, and children in a common goal: the creation of a supportive educational environment where children’s enthusiasm for learning is fostered.

The core tenets of our Agreement System are encouragement, cooperation, respect, responsibility and logical and natural consequences. The children, teachers, and staff agree to the following six agreements:

• I agree to make Synergy a respectful learning community, free of bias, by …

• Keeping a safe place, without prejudices, for everyone’s body and feelings.

• Respecting all property.

• Participating academically.

• Participating in all other school activities.

• Being in a designated space.

• Agreeing to leave quickly and quietly when waved out.


ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Innovative Program

The mission of Synergy School is focused on the whole child, addressing each student’s social-emotional development as well as academic needs. The program developed by teachers includes language arts, social studies, math, science, outdoor education, Spanish, art, drama, music, and physical education.

Students are provided with the skills and encouragement to become competent, independent, and enthusiastic learners. They work at their individual ability levels and pace in a non-competitive and cooperative atmosphere, participating in whole class and small group activities, as well as individual learning centers. Student-teacher ratios range between 12:1 and 21:1, depending on subject matter and grade level.

For more detailed curriculum information, go to our website at www.synergyschool.org and select the How We Learn tab.

Combination Classes

Our elementary school classrooms are a combination of two grades with a team of two full-time teachers. Our kindergarten class is a single grade classroom with 6 of the 24 spaces reserved for young kindergartners who stay in the classroom for two years. Our 1st - 3rd grade classes consist of two combination classrooms with two full-time teachers in each room, for a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.


ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Combination Classes - Continued

Children generally spend two years in most classrooms, experiencing the role of a younger student in a group one year and an older student the next. They have the same teachers two years in a row, facilitating a longer-term relationship and understanding of learning styles and developmental needs. Students can also work at their own developmental level and engage with a broader range of peers.

Assessments and Evaluations

Evaluation of student progress occurs regularly through discussion, observation, portfolios and testing. Children and parents are made aware of personal achievements through formal and informal conferences throughout the year. Parents are also provided with skills checklists and narrative comments.

Homework

Homework begins in the 1st grade. The homework assigned in 1st through 3rd grades is primarily reading, though it may also include spelling and math practice to reinforce lessons in the classroom. Homework is expected to take anywhere from 20 – 30 minutes a night.

In 4th and 5th grade, students are expected to manage a heavier workload that will take 30 - 45 minutes a night. Students in these grades are also given different homework due dates during the week to help them learn time management skills.

Technology

Technology is introduced in the 4th and 5th grades through the use of classroom laptops. Students receive instruction in keyboarding, word processing, basic spreadsheets, online research, and other responsible online behaviors.


MIDDLE SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Overview

The middle school program consists of 6th, 7th and 8th grades with 23 students per class. A team of four core teachers works together to create a vibrant, interdisciplinary, academically rigorous curriculum in history, language arts, math, and science. Specialist teachers round out the program with drama, music, physical education, Spanish, and visual arts.

Students engage in learning through individual projects, small group and whole class learning and instruction. They work in both single graded and cross-graded groups, and in a variety of configurations depending upon subject matter and individual needs.

For more detailed curriculum information, go to our website at www.synergyschool.org and select the How We Learn tab.

Combination Classes

History and science are taught in cross-graded classes of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The curriculum in these subjects is based on a three-year rotation. For example, history is divided into a year of ancient history, a year of world history and a year of American history (19th century). Each year, the three main areas of physical science, life science and chemistry, with topics and emphasis changing from year to year, cover science. We think of these rotations as a curriculum spiral, with students entering the spiral at different grade levels.


MIDDLE SCHOOL OVERVIEW - Continued

Teaching Combination Classes

Since the topics are new each year, all students are introduced to and work with the main concepts in a group. They work on individual projects and small group projects with expectations based on grade level and ability. Tests are also graded differently depending on grade level and ability.

Assessments and Evaluations

Letter grades are introduced in middle school, but they are only part of the evaluation process. Students and teachers work collaboratively to develop standards and rubrics for work. On-going observations and assessments, including individual student-teacher conferences and parent-student-teacher conferences are also used. In addition, students are tested periodically in various subjects and on standardized tests, learning test-taking strategies and participating in post-test activities.

Athletics

Middle school athletics offer opportunities to play team sports such as basketball, futsal, and cross country. Teams are open to all middle school students regardless of ability.

Technology

Middle school students are assigned a school laptop and work collaboratively with other students and their teachers using Google classrooms. They also use their laptops for word processing, database and spreadsheet manipulations, problem solving, multimedia projects, online research, and other responsible online behaviors.


FARM SCHOOL

Farm School is a very special experience for children at Synergy.

Beginning in fourth grade, students spend one week each year at Ocean Song, a farm and wilderness center located in the coastal hills of Sonoma County, just west of Occidental. They learn first hand about creating community, interaction of several California ecosystems, botany, wildlife biology, and agriculture. They create poetry and art inspired by nature, and celebrate the changing of seasons and experience their growing maturity as they return year after year.


CLASSROOMS AND TEACHERS

Most of our classrooms are a combination of two grades with a team of two full teachers. We reserve six of the 24 kindergarten spots for young kindergarteners. These young K’s (children turning 5 in September, October or November, or other children who would benefit from a two year K) spend two years in the kindergarten class.

Children generally spend two years in most classrooms, experiencing the role of a younger student one year and an older student the next. They have the same teachers two years in a row, facilitating a longer-term relationship and understanding of learning styles and developmental needs.

In combination classrooms, children work at their own developmental level and engage with a broader range of peers. The basic curriculum is always in place, but the larger thematic units rotate every two years for K - 5 and every three years for 6th - 8th grades. For example, the 1st - 2nd graders might study marine mammals in science one year and insects the next. The same important scientific processes are explored each year within a different topic.


Kindergarten - 5th

Kindergarten: Star RoomCarolyn Kruse, Rita Franklin & Tanya Baker

1st - 2nd Grades: RainbowAnnie Aguirre & Ebony Manion

2nd - 3rd Grades: Sun RoomJesse Kitses & Teresa Rodriguez

4th - 5th Grades: SkylightsRea Inglesis & Joan PettijohnAide: Roy Wise

4th - 5th Grades: EastendersSandy Barra & Joan PettijohnAide: Roy Wise

Middle School

HistoryDominic Altieri

Language ArtsNisrene Kazimi

MathSogolon Best

ScienceKristi Coale

Middle School ElectivesElective classes meet twice weekly. They include such subjects as astronomy, Japanese language, microeconomics, robotics, digital storytelling, tinkering, media studies, athletic, as well as art instruction in mixed media, ceramics, drawing and painting.

Specialists

Specialists Specialist teachers work with all grade levels.

ArtPamela Heyda

DramaJana Barber

Learning SpecialistHilary Payne

MusicMahala Bundy & Sam Heminger

Physical EducationJana Barber (K - 5)Melvin Smith (6 - 8)

SpanishUrsula Radics

ASSESSMENTS - LOOKING AT THE WHOLE CHILD

Embedded in Synergy School’s mission is a commitment to the intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of each child. We take pride in the fact that we do not rely on any single indicator to evaluate student development or to determine the overall success of our program.

Simple instruments such as standardized testing do not easily measure the most crucial indicators of growth and development. Some aspects of the learning process are obvious and we can use direct tools such as teacher-developed tests to assess. Others are intrinsic and require tools such as anecdotal notes and student portfolios. An over reliance on testing often results in a narrowing of curriculum to what is easily measured and can therefore stifle expression, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

Is there any standardized testing at Synergy School?

We administer standardized tests to 4th through 7th grade students to prepare them for this type of testing in the future. The preparation focuses only on how to take a standardized test and how to use test-taking strategies. We share results with individual families, but do not publish the scores.


YOUNG KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

What is Synergy’s Young Kindergarten Program?

It’s a two-year kindergarten experience for children with a fall birthday and those who would be well served by two years in kindergarten regardless of chronological age. There are six young kindergarteners in a class of 24 children with two teachers. They are fully integrated into the classroom and work at their own developmental levels. Big curricular themes are taught in a two-year rotation so that curriculum is not repeated for the Young Ks.

Who is eligible?

Students turning 5 in September, October or November. Other children sometimes benefit from two years in the kindergarten for a variety of reasons and we are happy to discuss your child’s needs prior to or during the application process.

What if my child has a fall birthday, but is academically advanced?

Your child would still need to be in the two-year program. This decision is based on our many years of experience with younger children as they pass through the higher grades and on educational research.

Is the second year of kindergarten a repeat of the first year?

No. Our big curricular themes repeat every two years. The core curriculum in math, reading and writing remains in place and children progress at their own developmental level.

What is it like for my child when his/her friends go to 1st grade and she/he stays in kindergarten?

When children enter kindergarten, whether it’s for two years or one year, they see that there are six children who were in the class last year. They observe those children playing with their 1st grade friends at recess and lunch. Our experience is that some children have no problem at all when the new school year begins and some do miss their friends. They quickly adjust, however, making new friends, seeing their “old friends” at lunch and recess, and relishing their role as leaders in the classroom.


HIGH SCHOOLS

Our students typically receive multiple acceptances to various high schools. The schools listed below are the ones they have chosen to attend.


Class of 2015

Archbishop Riordan High School

Jefferson High School

Lick Wilmerding High School

Lowell High School

Menlo Atherton High School

Ruth Asawa School of the Arts

Sacred Heart Cathedral

San Francisco Waldorf

The Bay School

The Urban School

Westmoor High School

Class of 2014

Crystal Springs Uplands School

Drew High School

El Cerrito High School

Gateway High School

Hillsdale High School

Lowell High School

Mission High School


Sacred Heart Cathedral

San Mateo High School

South San Francisco High School

Stuart Hall High School

University High School

Class of 2013

Drew High School

El Cerrito High School

Gateway High School

Lowell High School


Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep

San Francisco Waldorf

The Bay School

The Urban School

Wallenberg High School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Daily Schedule

7:15 – 8:00 AM Morning Care is available8:00 – 8:30 AM Teachers are in the classrooms8:30 AM Morning meetings and classes begin10:30 AM Snack/recess12:30 PM Lunch3:00 PM Dismissal with the exception of Wednesday dismissal at 2:10 PM

Is extended care offered?

Extended care is open to all Synergy students in the mornings, after school, on in-service days, and some holidays. Fees range from $260 per month for full time after school care to $12 per day for stays of less than one hour. Financial aid is available for extended care.

What are the parent participation requirements?

Each family is required to participate in fundraising and committee work. There are no set hours to fill since it depends upon a family’s committee assignment. Parent participation is critical to Synergy’s ability to keep tuition as low as possible. It is also one of the key ways in which parents meet other parents outside of their child’s social circle, which in turn, strengthens our sense of community. Each family also participates in one all school cleanup event each year.

Where can I find more information?

Additional frequently asked questions can be found on our website at www.synergyschool.org/admissions.


ADMISSIONS TIMELINE

September - January Register for and attend a School Tour

Friday, December 11, 2015

Sibling applications are due.

Friday, January 8, 2016 Submit an application no later than January 8, 2016.

Friday, January 8, 2016 Financial aid applications are due no later than January 9, 2015 through FAST: http://synergyschool.org/admissions/financial_aid

Friday, January 29, 2016 Teacher recommendation forms are due.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Kindergarten play dates

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Kindergarten play dates

Late January - Early February

Child visits and middle school shadow visits are scheduled.

Thursday, March 3, 2016 Young kindergarten decision letters are sent.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Young kindergarten acceptances are due by 10:00 AM.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

K-7 decisions letters are sent.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

K-7 acceptances are due by 10:00 AM.



Bay Area Directors of Admission Principles of Good Practice

The Bay Area Directors of Admission (BADA) is a collaboration of Bay Area independent school admission officers whose members meet twice a year to establish common admission dates, educate new members, and discuss current issues in the Bay Area independent school admissions process. In an effort to best serve students and families during the admission process, the Bay Area Directors of Admission developed a set of Principles of Good Practice. These Principles encourage mutual respect among the member schools and support practices, activities, and events that are student-centered, family friendly and age appropriate for our applicants. The Bay Area Directors of Admission believe that you deserve to be apprised of these Principles of Good Practice; a summary of the Principles is therefore listed below.

Mission Statement

The Bay Area Directors of Admission (BADA) group exists to support families and schools in the admission process by promoting best practices, coordinated timelines, and open communication. Members agree to collaborate in the process of implementing best practices that support smooth, respectful and predictable admission experiences for both families and schools. Membership is open to independent schools in the Bay Area that share and agree to practice the mission of BADA by living the guidelines of best practices, adherence to protocols and deadlines, and maintaining open communication. On behalf of each respective Bay Area independent school, the Bay Area Directors of Admission agree…

1. To use common dates for the mailing of decision letters and contracts.2. To accept the “Common Confidential Student Evaluation” forms.3. To attend one regional meeting (BADA, DASBP, etc.) at least every two years.4. To fund prospective students according to their demonstrated need using consistent

guidelines for financial aid and as a school’s funds allow.5. To observe “Quiet Week.” “Quiet Week” is the week prior to the contract deadline. During

this week schools agree not to initiate contact with families, but rather to allow parents to�focus on the decision-making process. Parents may, of course, initiate contact with�schools. “In accordance with the Principles of Good Practice of Bay Area Directors of�Admission, no member of ��community will initiate contact with you�prior to the contract deadline. Bay Area�Directors of Admission have agreed that this is a�decision-making time for your family.”

6. To act collegially, in the interest of families, upon learning that a student at oneindependent school applies to another independent school.

7. To honor each child and family as unique and work to make the mission of the school clearso that families and schools work together to find the best possible match.

8. To represent their schools ethically and professionally, as well as speak with integrity inreference to other schools and educational institutions.

9. To offer a place to a student from another BADA school only after receiving an officialtranscript and confidential student evaluation form from the student’s current school.

Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area www.issfba.org

Last revised 6/24/2014

Documents

Admissions packet Synergy School