Values & Benefits

At the Guthrie School, we understand the importance of small class sizes. Most importantly small class sizes allow teachers to get to know each student, his or her strengths and weaknesses, and then deliver the tailored, one-on-one attention to help each student reach his or her full potential. Small class size also allows for students to build relationships and learn to collaborate with more instruction and less disruption.

With a lower student to teacher ratio, each Guthrie School teacher has more time for teaching and less time spent on administration like taking attendance, passing out graded assignments, and grading papers. Instead, our teachers know each student, build relationships, and provide the individual feedback needed to help students build on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses.

Collaborative Learning allows students to work in pairs or small groups to rectify misunderstandings and misconceptions through peer instruction. Students engaged in collaborative learning naturally engage with one another and build relationships while developing oral communication skills, higher-level thinking, self-management, and leadership as well as a greater understanding of diverse views.

Communication is crucial to childhood development. The ability to understand and be understood is the basis for learning and development and at the Guthrie School we build on this foundation through an emphasis on speaking, writing, expression of opinion, and the development and defense of arguments. Communication is the instrument for learning, helping children to become lifelong learners destined to succeed in school and in life.

At the Guthrie School, we understand reading for enjoyment is linked to educational performance, thus we encourage each student to read for pleasure, knowing the benefits it provides. Reading for enjoyment and reading to learn and research go hand in hand in helping students develop a broad vocabulary, understand different cultures, and elevate general knowledge.

Students need basic skills to be successful. At the Guthrie School, we believe among those are study habits and organizational skills which enhance the ability to problem solve, plan, prepare, and succeed. Direct instruction in study and organization skills such as reading and listening for main ideas, effective note-taking, and organizational strategies can benefit every student in becoming an independent life-long learner.

At the Guthrie School, our educational goals for your child are centered around the Socratic Method. Utilizing the Socratic Method prepares students to excel by actively involving them in the learning process. Guthrie School teachers use open-ended questions designed to elicit answers and prompt additional analysis, research, and collaborative discussion, leading to a greater understanding of the topic. The Socratic Method enhances active listening, encourages reading, boosts critical thinking and reflection, sharpens oral communication, and develops conflict resolution abilities. This approach develops “academically elite” students with the confidence and abilities needed for higher education.

The Harkness Method, embraced by the Guthrie School, complement the Socratic teaching style. The Harkness Method utilizes small group collaborative learning designed to help students develop active listen skills, while expressing their voice, and learning new ideas. Around the Harkness Table, Guthrie School teachers guide discussion which encourages critical thinking, discussion, debate, and the development of individual opinions.

Cross-Curricular Learning utilizes the intersection of history, math, science, and language arts to plan lessons and projects which leverage the content intersection to teach multiple academic disciplines and enhance students’ problem-solving skills, increase engagement, and deliver real-world applications. This strategy put into practice by Guthrie School teachers unites concepts and skills and allows students to see the connection and relationships among disciplines. Cross-curricular learning enhances learning, promotes teamwork, motivates students, and opens the door to higher-order thinking.

At the heart of the Socratic Method is the development of problem solving and critical thinking ability. With each, students are encouraged to be curious and creative, which, in turn allows them to think creatively, exploring issues from every side and developing a greater understanding of the world. Critical thinkers are natural problem solvers with the ability to reason, observe, analyze, and evaluate beyond face value. At the Guthrie School, we recognize the important of problem solving and critical thinking as the foundation for developing independent learners for life.

At the Guthrie School access to TAG (Talented and Gifted) education is open to all students. The advantages of gifted education include higher self-esteem, increased academic engagement, and advanced levels of achievement. We strive to challenge students academically and guide them to progress at their own unique pace, setting them up for future success.

Classical teacher-facilitated instruction and discussion at the Guthrie School means inquiry-based learning which encourages students to explore concepts, thinking critically, prior to explanations. As a result, students are more engaged with higher-order thinking and involved at higher levels of cognition.

Subject specialization at the Guthrie School means our teachers are given the opportunity to focus on teaching their best subjects to multiple classes of students. In doing so, teachers narrow subject coverage and students are provided with the best teachers in small classes in core subjects thereby ensure our students overall development – academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally.

At the Guthrie School, we recognize the benefits of foreign language study in improving our students’ academic performance overall as well as their intellectual development. We also understand foreign language study allows our students to gain insights into other cultures, learning to appreciate their own culture as well as those different from their own. Our curriculum includes an emphasis on Greek and Latin roots offers benefits for students – building vocabulary, improving spelling, and developing confidence in reading and writing.