sCHOOL bLOG

In early childhood, school is not simply about memorizing facts or tackling complex equations. Your child is learning many critical skills that help them develop into well-functioning learners. One of the best ways to integrate these basic skills into the classroom is through art.

We know that a private education is a top choice for many parents, but we don’t expect you to take our word for it. Statistical support for the long-term benefits that a private education has for children, especially when they begin in kindergarten.

There are some very clear advantages to a private education that most people are familiar with. Having the ability to infuse our teaching with our spiritual beliefs, small class sizes, and a rigorous curriculum are some of the most evident. But some of our greatest advantages are born from the fact that decisions about our curriculum and our campus are made by leaders who are active members of our community.

Getting a good education is so important to your child’s future success. The things they learn today are the foundation that will prepare them for SATs and college exams down the line. But school is a more valuable resource for children than the learning of educational concepts and mastering of skills. School is where children learn about teamwork, and it is the place where they are socialized to become the future leaders of our world. Are your children getting the most of their education?

School uniforms are a hotly debated topic of conversation. For many years leaders in public education have discussed whether or not to join their private education counterparts in requiring uniforms for all students. However, in private education, uniforms have been the standard for decades and there is clear research showing the positive impact these policies have on students.

St. Barnabas’ 8th-grade class is months away from a big, new transition. For many students, after nearly a decade on our campus, the next stage in their education will land them on a public school campus for the very first time this August. This transition, like all others in life, brings a mixed bag of emotions including excitement and fear.

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to research on how technology is impacting children’s brains. You can hand an iPad to an infant and they are not only transfixed by the bright lights, but they seem to know instinctively how to use the touchscreen. There are pros and cons to our children having constant access to technology, and some of the effects may not become clear for decades to come.

Is your young child nervous about leaving the comfort of home and starting school as a kindergartener? For many children, the initial transition into a classroom environment can be difficult. Children are attached to their parents and find comfort and safety within their home and family structure. Fear of starting school for the first time is normal and there are many factors which make a private school education a suitable transition for apprehensive kindergarteners.

There are many learning styles and finding the right environment for children is important to parents. For many parents, providing their students with the freedom and flexibility of a homeschool environment seems to make the most sense, but homeschooling isn't right for every family. Students grow, families morph and change and eventually, you may need to find a more traditional school approach for your previously homeschooled child. Is a private education the right next step for your family?

The beginning of a new year is a time when people all over the world sit back and reflect upon the past year and begin to set new goals for the coming year. Setting resolutions at the beginning of a new year is a great way for adults and children alike to envision what they want the coming months to hold.