What's really different about "progressive" schools
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Anonymous
| I'm curious about the specific differences between traditional and progressive schools, particularly at the MS and HS levels. I understand the philosophical differences, but how does this play out in the classroom? |
Anonymous
|
I can tell you on the elementary level...
Progressive was much more about presenting topics and information in a variety of ways - hands on work, traditional worksheets, self directed learning - reading books, discovery with materials. It relies more on kids intuition and experiences to learn and understand the material presented. The less strict environment will work for some kids but not all. The reliance on intuition for learning will work for some kids but not all. |
Anonymous
| It plays out with huge variation. It takes a great teacher to do it well, and there are few great teachers than slots for them at such schools. At GDS, they said at open houses a few years ago that they become less progressive as kids move from elementary to high school. On the other hand, there are traditionally labelled schools today that have some classes run in more progressive style. Few independents these days think classes are about lectures with kids sitting quietly taking notes, so in some ways schools that profess to adhere to a strictly progressive ideology -- while they may be wonderful schools -- may be distinguishing themselves from something already nearly extinct. The key is which schools can execute best. |
Anonymous
| At one NW progressive, your son's allowed to wear a pink tutu every day, and no one's allowed to bat an eye. Not sure how that evolves by middle school. Eye liner and red lipstick? |
Anonymous
| OP asked a serious question; let's not go off on tangents. Your sarcasm may actually be hurtful to someone. |
Anonymous
| No grades until middle school or so. No tests. |
Anonymous
| Poster 00:51 is right on target. Now, in 2014, many of the called Progressive schools need to ask themselves how to interpret Progressiveness in our current times. St. Albans, an example of a non progressive in the 70's is taking a very contemporary approac now a days just like sidwells, maret or gds. |
Anonymous
If you're the tutu school, I'm sorry. How, I believe that complete honesty is essential, however, especially on dcum, no? |
Anonymous
Please omit "How" |
Anonymous
In all seriousness, I think our kids ARE at the school you refer to. I am certain there are at least two transgender children at this private school, both of whom wear stereotypically feminine clothes. I'm not the PP, but, can you state with exacting specificity why you feel sorrow for me and that PP? I love my kids' school, the one with the transgender kids may I remind readers. What is it -- remember, you have to spell it out -- that makes you sorry for me? I love being an educated consumer and I think you might be just the anonymous internet troll to educate me! d Also, if you respond with something like "if you don't get it, then I can't help you," this will only prove you have a small little wiener. So do try harder than that. |
Anonymous
| When it comes to academics the distinction doesn't matter a whole lot in the upper grades. Even progressive schools take a fairly standard approach to academics. But culturally there is a huge difference. My kids started at a traditional school, I looked down on progressive schools as too loosey goosey, not serious enough. But the traditional school turned out to be socially rigid and unaccepting and academically stressful. They are now at a progressive school which is academically challenging without pitting the students against each other and socially much more inclusive. They are happier and I have completely changes my mind about progressive schools. |
Anonymous
| I agree w.PP. I think out kids' "progressive" school is not really very daring or experimental when it comes to curriculum: the kids are basically studying the same things at the same time and in much the same way our friends kids do them at more "traditional" privates. If anything I am a bit frustrated: I had expected more creativity on the academic side, but though I think it's fine, it's not really very different. The "progressiveness" does come through more socially: the school is definitely VERY nurturing, accepting of difference, non-cliquish, etc., and it attracts families who value that. It's basically a very nice, low-key community: absolutely zero feeling of one-upsmanship among either kids or parents. To us, this in itself makes it worth keeping our kids there... |
Anonymous
| I am happy for 12.:05, but all the same things about social climate, nurturing etc can be said about our private that would never call itself "progressive." But it is vet innovative on the academic side. |
Anonymous
What are the chances that there would be at least two transgender kids within a population of that size? This lgbtq shit has gone too far. |
Anonymous
| OP here - appreciate all the helpful comments so far. DC is in K at a progressive school and I love it so far, but I'm not sure what the future holds. I feel like there are rumblings of dissatisfaction with the science and math in upper grades and it's unclear how much of that is specific to our school and how much of that is related to the differences in testing and metrics between progressive and traditional. I'm also wondering if it's easier for a kid to 'coast' at a progressive or is that going to happen anywhere if that's what your kid chooses to do? |