At Morgan Park Academy, education is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills; we believe that our program must develop life-long learners who can adapt to new situations, think for themselves, synthesize, evaluate, and create. In the Academy’s Lower School, a challenging curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and higher-order thinking rather than rote learning and drill. It is a warm, nurturing environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and take risks. Small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios enable close relationships, so that each child’s strengths and challenges recognized, as are his or her motivations, anxieties, and aspirations.
By teaching to the whole child, students explore the world through many disciplines including physical education, social studies, science, art, music, world languages, drama, library, and technology. Hands-on activities and projects along with daily journaling, cooperative reading groups, and classroom dramatic productions allow children to have an active role in their own education and take pride in their achievements.
Knowledge and ability are nothing, however, without character. The Academy and its families share a strong belief in the importance of building upstanding citizens who show empathy, are dependable, have strong self-esteem, and treat others with respect. Through an active wellness program, open communication between home and school, and a strong sense of community, the Lower School fosters the development of students of strong character. Students give back to their school through activities such as Book-Buddies, the school garden, and sending care packages to the Academy’s new college freshmen; and to the outside community by taking part in recycling programs, fundraising for special causes, visiting senior citizens’ homes, and collecting items for families in need.
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. - Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"
At
Morgan Park Academy, our teachers do far more than teach facts or
school subjects. We cultivate our mission through our students’
learning every day in the classroom. Character education is both
respected and reinforced through teachers’ daily interactions with
students.
Morgan Park Academy is placing more importance on its
advisory program throughout the entire school. The idea that all
students have someone advocating for them and guiding them through
their education is crucial to their success, and plays a vital role in
helping them feel part of a caring community. Having this “special
faculty member” looking out for students is valuable at every grade
level.
In the Lower School, while teaching is the teacher’s
primary responsibility, each child’s homeroom teacher fulfills the
significant role of advisor as well. Maintaining consistent
communication with parents, advocating for students and monitoring each
student’s academic progress remains at the forefront of everything we
do. This advisor role becomes more formalized in the later grades.
Lower School students typically read and write well above grade level on standardized tests
Over
35 percent of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders regularly qualify for
Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development’s Midwest
Academic Talent Search.
Students studying French regularly receive recognition in the National French Contest.
Music,
art, physical education, library, and world languages are part of the
regular curriculum and taught by subject specialists.
Science is learned using hands-on activities; math classes stress problem-solving.
Students are involved in at least one major dramatic performance per year.
Reflects enrichment:
Accelerated math groups are formed at the 4th and 5th Grade levels for budding mathematicians.
Accelerated math and reading materials, such as Junior Great Books are used starting in the 1st Grade.
Reflects global perspectives and understanding:
Diverse student body leads to celebration of days such as Diwali and Ramadan.
International
Day is an extensive educational project in Lower School involving
research, planning, and sharing of cultural knowledge.
Social
studies is taught throughout the Lower School. The content moves beyond
the areas of family, local, and United States to include current
national and world events.
Reflects individualization:
Students
can express their individuality and show their varied strengths through
open-ended activities including writing projects, literature groups and
projects.
Learning differences are quickly recognized and the school works closely with students and families to ensure success.
The
teaching methods in the Early Childhood and Primary grades reflect a
constructivist approach, and a belief in the importance of play and
child-directed learning.
Reflects state-of-the-art education:
Computers are used in the classroom and students develop technology skills in regular lab classes.
Students in the Lower School experience a full and
enriching school day, five days a week. Here are is a sample kindergarten schedule to give you a
taste of a typical day in the Lower School.
8:10 a.m. — Teacher welcome and attendance
8:15 a.m. — Language Arts, Math or Journal Writing
8:45 a.m. — Review of the day, Kindernews, jobs assigned
Learning flourishes in environments
where students are encouraged to go beyond the normal classroom routine
to explore their intellectual curiosity and express their individual
interests and talents. The Academy’s Lower School supports this
throughout the school year through a number of activities and events.
The
Lower School holds both Social Studies and Science Fairs where students
annually exhibit the results of independent research and
experimentation. During these fairs, students demonstrate knowledge
gained as they present and discuss their projects with both students
and adults. Other fairs include two Art Shows where student work is
prominently displayed in the Art Center.
Several contests are
held each year, championing children who excel in an area of interest.
The Mathematics League Contest is held for students in 4th and 5th
Grade. High scorers show mathematical aptitude, especially
problem-solving skills. Other contests include the Lower-Middle School
Spelling Bee and Geography Bee. Students in the Beginner or Cadet Band
are encouraged to participate in the Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest
in the spring.
Assemblies provide another opportunity for
students to enrich their learning. Each grade level from Kindergarten
through 5th Grade presents a musical dramatic performance for the
entire school community, including parents. Each student takes part in
these productions, which are highlights of the year. Other programs
include Field Day and the World Languages Musical Celebration. Students
are encouraged to volunteer for a number of productions such as the
Martin Luther King Assembly, Black History Assembly, and International
Day Assembly.
Special projects in the classroom such as the
National Parks Project in the 3rd Grade encourage individual and group
research. In this project, students develop speeches, brochures,
displays, and even T-shirts regarding their chosen parks, and in this
way, share knowledge gained. For International Day activities, students
of each class choose a country to research. After decorating their room
to reflect their country, other classes are invited to learn through
cultural games, crafts, stories, and food.
In order to further
expand student knowledge of global issues and promote stewardship of
the planet, Lower School children take part in activities such as
recycling, composting, and caring for the school garden. Through
activities such as these, students are given the understanding and
tools they need to become responsible citizens and global leaders.
It appears you do not have the required version of the Adobe Flash plugin. Please install the latest Adobe Flash plugin and then return to this page. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required.
By teaching to the whole child, students explore the world through many disciplines including physical education, social studies, science, art, music, world languages, drama, library, and technology. Hands-on activities and projects along with daily journaling, cooperative reading groups, and classroom dramatic productions allow children to have an active role in their own education and take pride in their achievements.
Media Player
Faculty & Staff Email © 2009 Morgan Park Academy 2153 W. 111th Street Chicago, IL 60643 P 773 881 6700 F 773 881 8409 Contact Us