Measuring Progress

At Wildwood, we understand that each child’s developmental, social/emotional, and academic growth is unique. Standardized curriculum benchmarks, traditional testing, and letter grades have no place in our program. Our goal is to help each student reach their highest potential, gain confidence in their strengths, and discover a lifelong love of learning.

With that in mind, it is important that children are learning and growing, that they are being challenged and finding genuine engagement in their work. We take a collaborative approach in which parents, teachers, and students all work together to demonstrate learning and identify areas for growth.

Student-centered Accountability Students are expected to take ownership of their learning and are required to keep a record of their daily work in a special notebook called the Work Journal. The Work Journal serves as a tool for self-assessment when students have individual meetings with the teacher. With teacher guidance, students reflect on how they are using their work time, identify any needs for new lessons or support, and find encouragement to pursue their own interests and ideas. The Work Journal, along with other completed work, will be presented at Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences.

Holistic Measurement of Growth Although we do not use traditional grades or report cards, we do keep track of each student’s growth in three main areas: academic learning, social/emotional development, and executive functioning skills (decision making, working independently, time management, etc.). Holistic progress reports will be shared in October and April.

Collaborative Conferences As part of our learner-centered approach, we think it is important that children have the opportunity to participate in showing their own progress and learning. Twice a year (October and April), we will hold individual conferences with each family that include teachers, parents, and student. Students will present their finished work, their Work Journal, and any special projects they would like to share. This is an empowering experience for children, as they take pride in showing what they have accomplished and find joy in describing all their lessons to their families. Any sensitive topics or special concerns will be discussed privately between teachers and parents only.