Education at Greene Hill School
Greene Hill School is a progressive school with an emphasis on community. Young children play to understand their world, and as children grow, first hand experience continues to shape learning at our school. We believe that the process of collaboration and working together strengthens a child’s ability to be socially active and aware, to think creatively and critically and to build a strong sense of self. Greene Hill School is committed to offering developmentally appropriate curriculum inspired by members of the school community (students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members). Teachers and administrators anchor our democratic approach with degrees in education and leadership. Rather than depending on standardized testing, we are dedicated to assessing a child’s growth and progress through genuine relationships, observations, in-depth discussions, and portfolios. Our Integrated Curriculum
At Greene Hill School, social studies are at the heart of an integrated curriculum consisting of careful attention to literacy, mathematics, technology, science, movement and the arts. For the youngest children, an emphasis is placed on self and family as children begin identifying who they are in the world. As they grow, 4 and 5 year old children expand on their previous experiences and knowledge to begin thinking about their place in school and their neighborhood. As children develop, so does their ability to comprehend the complexities and abstraction of time and space. 6 to 8 year old children begin to explore the wider regions of city and state. Still older children, 9 to 14 years old, investigate more historic and global themes such as their nation and others in the world community. Greene Hill School embraces the vibrancy of Brooklyn and New York City. The city is our treasured backyard, providing us with tremendous opportunities to investigate people and places. Our students will participate in invigorating partnerships with local art and cultural organizations, businesses and parks as part of their school experience and for the satisfying creative opportunities they provide. Greene Hill School’s vision for a progressive education encompasses:
Deep and consistent inquiries into topics that help children make sense of their world. During their early years at school, students begin with what is concrete and close to home, such as studies of family and neighborhood. As they develop, the curriculum involves more complex systems and concepts, like trends in immigration, or systems of government. Children’s involvement in authentic work and exploration of open-ended questions. Where does our food come from? Why have people moved to Brooklyn from all over the world? How is the energy we use at home and school produced? How can I design a bench that will function well in my classroom? Children make discoveries for themselves with adult guidance. A balance between student-initiated and teacher-initiated study. Classrooms are organized around a strong social studies-based curriculum, called “Community Work”, and receive direct instruction across all academic areas. Meanwhile, children also have opportunities to engage in self-directed and open-ended work with a variety of materials and topics during daily “Open Work” time. In addition, children participate in classes in the visual and performing arts and sciences, and in multi-age “Labs” to study interests like bones, electricity, printmaking and newspaper.
