Mission:
2nd Nature Academy is a student-centered educational community that fosters inquiry, exploration, experience, and achievement. We develop well-rounded and independent critical thinkers who are able to create, communicate, collaborate, and conquer challenges, in order to contribute fully to society.
Vision Statement:
Authentic engagement and lifelong success
Pedagogical Goals
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To provide a student-centered learning environment that focuses on the whole student
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To embrace eight intelligence strengths as indicated by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University
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To provide the fundamentals of education using inquiry based learning and multi-sensory instruction
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To foster an attitude of cultural appreciation
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To support physical, social, emotional and cognitive well-being
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To promote values and life skills such as responsibility, punctuality, consideration, understanding, altruism, and compassion
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To encourage an appreciation of our natural environment
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To develop an enthusiasm for learning and acquiring new skills
Philosophy
At 2nd Nature Academy Elementary, Middle, & High School, we foster a rigorous and responsive learning environment where students thrive, not simply survive, in their formative academic years. We encourage students to explore, inquire, collaborate, create, analyze, and solve relevant problems. Our unique and original educational model combines elements of skills-based curricula, Project Based Learning, transdisciplinary studies, and whole child philosophy. We maintain a low student to teacher ratio to allow teachers the flexibility to implement strategies for differentiated, individualized instruction and build positive relationships with students. Teachers set expectations for high standards and academic achievement while also supporting social emotional health and wellness for all students.
Project Based Learning allows students to engage in collaborative exploration and work on authentic projects to solve complex, real-world challenges. Transdisciplinary studies integrate the perspectives of multiple disciplines in the problem-solving process. Students learn through questioning, investigating, researching, reasoning, comparing, and reflecting. They demonstrate their skills and knowledge by creating genuine products and presentations for real audiences. Whole child educational philosophy ensures that students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged in school.
We encourage students to work collaboratively in both small and large groups, thus promoting a balance between a sense of self and belonging to the group. By working together, they develop important interpersonal and communication skills such as dialogue, negotiation, compromise, empathy, self-control, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Each student has the opportunity for their voice to be heard. These practices have resulted in a tight-knit school community, further strengthened by participation in student facilitated service learning projects as well as events and activities on campus.