Special Features of EVCS
The Responsive Classroom and Cooperative Discipline Models
EVCS implements the Responsive Classroom Model (developed by the Northeast Foundation for Children in Greenfield, MA) to help maximize student achievement. The Responsive Classroom approach combines the teaching of academic skills with the teaching of social responsibility as part of everyday classroom life. Students can successfully develop academic competencies because of the context of cooperation, responsibility, empathy, and self-control that the Responsive Classroom creates. EVCS also adopted the Cooperative Discipline classroom and school reform model derived from the philosophy of psychologist Rudolph Dreikurs. According to this approach, students excel when they feel like they are active participants in the learning process rather than its passive recipients. This creates a school culture where social responsibility fuels academic excellence and where students help each other thrive in the context of the various communities to which they belong.
Multi-age Instruction
Certain learning activities at EVCS are organized in multi-age groupings, which means that students are placed in groups by developmental need rather than by grade, with two age groups together in one activity. This allows students to master the curriculum at a rate appropriate to their developmental abilities. Reading and math are taught at grade level, while activities in learning centers; reading, writing, and math workshops; science; and social studies may be multi-age when it is determined to drive quality instruction.
Connections with the Broader Community
The Elmwood Village Charter School partners with community organizations to provide stimulating and engaging learning experiences for students. Partnerships include Folkloric Productions, SUNY College at Buffalo, SUNY at Buffalo, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Univera Health Systems, Ameri-Corps, D’Youville College, Theatre of Youth, the Elmwood Science Spot, the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Intimate School Community
Elmwood Village is designed to be a small K-6 community. The school opened with 125 students in grades K-4 in 2006-2007, and will add one grade annually through 2009-2010. The final size of the school will be 175 students. Enrollment for 2007-2008 is 150 students in grades K-5.
Low Student to Teacher Ratio
The class size at EVCS is 25 students. Each classroom has one certified teacher and one teaching assistant. The school has two full-time and one part-time special education teachers; a full-time Title I reading and math teacher; a full-time health and physical education teacher; a school nurse; a part-time social worker; and part-time art, music, dance, and Spanish teachers.
More Instructional Time
EVCS has a longer daily schedule and school year. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with after-care available until 6:00 p.m. The longer school day provides students with approximately one extra day of instruction per week.
Community Service Connections
All classes at EVCS have a community service partner. Partnerships include: Grace Manor Nursing Home, Nazareth Nursing Home, Viva La Casa Center for Refugees, the Ronald McDonald House, AIDS Community Services, and the SPCA.
Special Subjects
All students at EVCS study Spanish, visual art, vocal music, cultural dance, and physical education every week. Instrumental music lessons and French are available as optional after school enrichment programs.
Parent Volunteers
Parents, guardians, and other significant family members enrich the program at EVCS by sharing special talents, skills, interests, and hobbies with students. This is done either as a classroom presentation or an after school enrichment program.
Reading and Math Programs
The Open Court reading program is a scientific research-based program that is proven to build solid reading skills in all students. EVCS is one of the only schools in the area to have implemented Open Court in fulfillment of our commitment to help all students become competent and lifelong readers.
Everyday Mathematics is a researched-based curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Everyday Math uses real-life concepts to teach math skills using a cycling technique that allows students to master skills more completely.