Philosophy
Marin Horizon School makes a difference in children's lives so they can make a difference in their world. MHS accomplishes this by providing an engaging and challenging curriculum in a supportive environment where learning is based on the following principles:
Children
- A child's life is a continuum, where each stage of development is preparation for the next. Like a mirror of the developing child's natural states, the curriculum complements our children's needs and interests as they mature academically, socially, physically and emotionally.
- Children naturally love to learn. MHS teachers are committed to providing the environment and guidance that promotes learning through discovery at a child's own pace.
- Children are grouped in multi-age classrooms. Older children in the class benefit from helping the younger ones, reinforcing their knowledge by modeling for their peers. The youngest children often imitate and internalize skills before they receive a formal lesson. Knowledge and behavior is passed on from one level to the next.
Curriculum
- Our curriculum is integrated and interdisciplinary, focusing on the inter-connections in the world. Where traditional schools begin with "me" and move out, we begin with a global view to give children a "mental file box" of reference points to help them understand the details as they are encountered.
- Our curriculum is organized in a spiral so that ideas and concepts that are introduced to young children are revisited and revisited with greater detail and complexity as children mature.
Program
- Our program is solidly grounded in multicultural studies and celebration of diversity in its many manifestations.
- Our program addresses the child's body and mind. We are as concerned about their social, emotional, physical, and creative development as we are about their academic growth. We consciously work with children on their decision-making processes and their interactions with others. We teach and encourage leadership skills and a conflict resolution approach to disagreements.
- Our instruction recognizes the need for children to become keen problem identifiers, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. These skills are introduced to very young children and honed as they grow older.
- Use of computers and on-line resources is an integral part of our classroom and our curriculum. Computers are utilized as tools rather than as a subject in themselves.
- In keeping with our focus on values, we involve children in real and relevant experiences in the school and in the larger community to help them develop a personal ethic and put it into practice. We offer a community service program, and multiple opportunities to work on projects that make a difference in their world.
