Curriculum Guides
 
 

Mission and Philosophies of Swasey Central School The mission of Swasey Central School is to prepare children for future learning and life experiences. Specifically, Swasey will provide children with the knowledge, develop and support their capacity to learn, and strengthen the social and emotional skills they will need to succeed as middle school students and as members of their families, neighborhoods, and the world community. To achieve its mission, Swasey Central School operates under the following philosophies: Academic Growth and Continuous Improvement We believe in high academic standards for all children. We should continually improve and renew our academic program so that all children reach their fullest potential. Teaching at Swasey should be tied to specific learning goals based on New Hampshire Curriculum Frameworks, SAU 16 curriculum guidelines, and other learning goals deemed relevant by the Swasey School community. In addition to basic knowledge and academic skills, we should develop the skills (such as critical and analytical thinking) that empower children to pursue learning beyond the classroom. Teachers must understand each child’s unique academic strengths and needs. The school should provide the resources and structure (such as small class size) to support that understanding. Children learn best in a nurturing environment – a strength of Swasey Central School. We should maintain and strengthen this environment while challenging students to reach high standards. The school should provide learning materials and instructional strategies that are research based, current, and strongly tied to learning objectives. To meet learning objectives as children progress through Swasey School, the administrative and instructional teams should work together to build consistent strategies and programs across grades. We believe in accountability through assessments of student performance that are efficient, relevant, and appropriate. The most powerful use of assessment is to improve curriculum and instruction so that all children reach high standards. Social and Emotional Growth In the Swasey School learning community, each member is responsible for the success of others. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators should respect each other and themselves, live by the school’s rules, work cooperatively, use self knowledge for change, challenge themselves, and appreciate the ideas and experiences of others. Community and Parent Involvement With the goal of building strong partnerships, Swasey Central School’s responsibilities to parents include inviting them to participate in decision-making; clearly explaining what is to be learned and how children are progressing; and assisting parents as they support their children’s learning at home. Parents’ responsibilities to the school include making sure children come to school ready to learn and actively supporting children’s learning in all parts of their lives. The school encourages parents to participate in other ways where possible, such as attending school events, participating in decision-making, and volunteering. Swasey School has traditionally enjoyed the strong support of the community at large. We should continue to build that relationship by asking for community opinion, answering questions, and encouraging the community to learn about the school’s mission and goals. We recognize that the school is part of a larger community with many diverse needs.