Student-centered means, our students are kept at the center focus of our all activities. The primary goal of student-centered teaching is to help students become independent. Our teacher encourages, and inspires students to seek out knowledge and to strive for understanding at a deeper level.
When a decision is made in our school, the first thought is always: “What’s the best for our students?” In our school, teachers are instructed to consider each child as an individual who has enormous possibilities, and NOT to treat them as a factory production.
Our Student-Centered Approach is based on the following seven features:
- Teaching the Whole Student
- Supporting the Whole Teacher
- Balanced Assessment
- Differentiated Instruction
- Fostering Student Engagement
- Supporting Student Success
- Positive School Culture.
Teaching the Whole Student: We believe that education is about nurturing the growth of the learner as a complete individual, not just as a vessel for curriculum. Our teachers collaborate the teaching effectively with colleagues and inform parents on a regular basis.
We recognize our students as whole beyond our classrooms. While our attention is focused on the demands of academic curriculum, we may miss the signs of a student who is being bullied, or the student who is too pressured to produce her best work. As a school, although we cannot be responsible for all that goes on in a student’s life, but we create awareness about this among teachers and parents.
Supporting the Whole Teacher: Teaching kids is an intense work; few can maintain productive relationships with their students, without the support from broader community. Teachers, like students, need encouragement and success in their career in order to maintain energy and a positive attitude. So we recognize that supporting the needs of our teachers and staffs will aid in the success of our students.
Balanced Assessment: Our assessment of student’s learning profile is designed to gain a better understanding of the student’s needs, learning style, and areas of strength. The assessment includes observation, formal testing, and evaluation of performance. It is an ongoing process which informs how the student is doing and how the teacher’s methods are working for this student. Assessment may also include cognitive and psychological testing performed by specialists.
Differentiated Instruction: Each student is unique and brings unique skills and challenges to the learning environment. We know that instruction must be differentiated in order to meet the needs of a range of students. Knowing the developmental, cognitive, and learning styles of our students and insuring that instruction is well matched to each is essential to our student-centered approach.
Fostering Student Engagement: Learning is a wondrous and natural process. Students will engage in learning with or without our guidance. However, as adults there are certain things we want students to learn, as well as things we may prefer they not learn. If we create the circumstances for students to learn safely, energetically, and in ways that suit their needs and abilities, students will become meaningfully engaged in their education. Therefore we have implemented Montessori Method of education in our curriculum.
Positive School Culture: Students are more likely to attend and achieve at school if they feel accepted, valued, respected and included. We promote positive relationships between and amongst students, staff, and parents. Our staffs have a sense of responsibility for student learning and we teach essential social and emotional skills under Islamic guidance. We have our own written and unwritten policies to follow.