Brightworks Blog
Brightworks is a flurry of activity and we are thrilled to share peeks into the lives of the students, our school and the community.
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Finding the Right School for Your Family
Finding the right school means finding a learning community whose mission and values align with your family’s. As you explore, pay close attention to how schools nurture student agency, balance adult–child power dynamics, make time for outdoor learning, and honor the role of play.
At Brightworks, we follow best practices in neuroscience and educational research instead of how teaching it’s always been done.
Here, we prioritize:
Small By Design - Every child is known. Our boutique size ensures personalized support. Cross-age activities create connections. Our classes are between 12-15 students so each student is deeply seen, their interests are known and we work to support their growth and development on an individual level.
Student Agency - Students have agency in their learning—making choices, setting goals, and reflecting on progress—within a framework of strong guidance and collaboration. This balance builds self-direction, accountability, and a deep sense of ownership.
Whole-Human Growth - Through deeply embedded SEL work and group activities, we develop community-minded students and empathetic community members. We work diligently to remove shame and blame from our relationships with students and support thee when they are having a hard time. When conflicts inevitably arise, we bring care and compassion to help all parties come to a acknowledge their part and do repairs.
Co-Authorship - Students and teachers collaborate to design learning experiences that matter. Students pitch ideas, pursue questions, and create real work.
Engaged Community Members - Students learn to see the world through a critical, antiracist lens that values equity and action.
Mixed-age Classes - Just like in the real world, kids of different ages work together. Older students mentor, younger students grow in confidence, and everyone learns from each other.
Centered in Nature - With a minimum of 1.5 hours per day spent outdoors, we prioritize time to reap the benefits of being in nature. These include reduced stress, exposure to natural light, noticing beauty and a connection with the environment.
We look forward to showing you Brightworks in person. Join us for an Open House or Campus Tour this month. Brightworks is a truly special place!