The Wheatley School

Suburban school district approximately 25 minutes from Manhattan

The mission of The Wheatley School is to inspire students to use knowledge and critical thinking skills in pursuing a life of intellectual inquiry and personal growth, thus preparing them to embrace the responsibilities of active citizenship and become life-long learners. Education is academic, and also includes values, interpersonal relations, and connections to the world. We value the capacity to recognize change in both the world and ourselves and to adapt to those changes. We want ourselves and our students to be caring, accepting of others and aware of how our actions affect others, both within our school community and in our global responsibilities. We believe that for us and our students education is a journey that is never finished.

1. We value a curriculum that emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of all education by making connections across disciplines and to the world outside the classroom. Effective teaching and authentic learning are measured by genuine problem-solving, critical thinking skills, engagement in learning, ability to collaborate, and individualized teaching and learning styles, not just by standardized tests.

2. We value a community in which every individual feels respected, safe, supported and free. When individuals, both teachers and students, feel safe and supported they feel free to take risks, pursue their interests, achieve their potential and respect diversity. Teachers should serve as role models for participation in a diverse world. Education accepts diversity without prejudice.

3. We value a supportive atmosphere that responds to every student's needs. We believe that when you treat others with respect they respond with respect. When you give others freedom they respond with responsibility. When you treat them with trust they respond honestly. We value honesty in all areas of endeavor, especially academics.

4. We value a school culture that encourages all its members to become active citizens of a global society. A good school fosters values which enable people to get along well and respect each individual's unique characteristics. These values are fostered for all members of the community through co-curricular as well as curricular activities.