WOODLAND SCHOOL

Vision

Innovative, compassionate stewards creating a joyful world.

Mission

Woodland School develops collaborative, creative, and confident learners with the strength of voice to follow their hearts and make a difference.

WOODLAND STUDENTS ARE...

Insatiably curious and unrelenting.

Resilient from testing knowledge and recognizing the value of making mistakes.

Joyously creative.

Appreciative of the interconnectedness of all living things, cultures, communities, disciplines, and phenomena.

Whole brain thinkers who balance logic and imagination and cultivate grace, fitness, poise, and agility of body and mind.

Courageous and embrace ambiguity, uncertainty, and the unknown as a means to discovery.

Collaborative and recognize the power of working as a team.

Engaged with nature and the outdoors authentically in our setting and through our programs.

Guided by a strong moral compass.

Learner ProfileWell Rounded and Grounded

“Learning at Woodland is not about memorizing information. It’s about making connections. We don’t just learn how to multiply or about grammar, but we learn how to grow, we learn how to make friends, speak in public--all of which are very important.” – Woodland Middle School Student

ABOUT WOODLAND SCHOOL

Located just west of Stanford, Woodland is an

independent day school that offers a balanced

approach to learning in a diverse and inclusive

environment for approximately 285 students in Early

Childhood through Eighth Grade. At Woodland School,

we believe that students learn to their potential when

they are inspired. With rich content and an emphasis on

inquiry-based projects, students are empowered and

encouraged to be active and engaged learners.

KIDS ARE BORN TO ASK QUESTIONS

Children are born curious about their world. At

Woodland, we strive not only to nurture that curiosity

but also to help children develop the skills necessary

to articulate their questions and seek possible answers.

Through inquiry-based curriculum, Woodland students

develop critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration,

communication, and problem-solving skills. With

individualized instruction and small class sizes,

we are able to meet our students where they are

in their own learning and help them grow to the next

level and beyond.

KINDNESS IS IN THE CURRICULUM

We focus on character building because it takes

both strength of mind and heart to live with integrity,

to find one’s passions, and to create meaningful

change in the world.

Here are some of the deliberate ways we integrate

character education into our school culture:

• Core Virtues Program

• House System

• Buddy Program

• Student-led Morning Assembly

• Athletics in third through eighth grade

• Leadership Program

• Middle School Advisory Program

• Green Team

• 5-6th Grade Girls Mentor ProgramThe CampusWoodland School is located on 10.5 acres. Our spacious and bucolic environment gives children room to breathe, space to play, and freedom to explore the environment around them--all beneficial to their social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

About Woodland SchoolSmall School, Big Heart

We focus on character building because it takes both strength of mind and heart to live with integrity, to find one’s passions, and to create meaningful change in the world.

Watch our video ‘This is Woodland’: woodland-school.org/abouti

A REGGIO-INSPIRED APPROACH TO EARLY CHILDHOOD

The wisdom of the Reggio philosophy has won the hearts of families and teachers for decades. In recent years, critical research has supported Reggio’s emphasis on student-centered play and exploration as the best environment for young children to develop cognition, language, and crucial social skills.

Some basic tenants of this approach include:

• Children are seen as strong and capable and filled with wonder about their world

• Children’s interests drive their own learning and experiences

• Children are engaged in activities that use multiple modalities -- touching, moving, listening, and observing

• Children develop and explore relationships with other children, adults, and the environment

• Children have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves

• Children and adults work collaboratively together to investigate, explore, and search for answers

CHILDREN LEARN IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS

Children are curious about the world and how it works. They have a myriad of ways of thinking, exploring, discovering and learning—much of which is done

through play. By listening to them and tuning into their interests and questions, we find new opportunities for them to investigate, explore their world, and grow.

TEACHERS AS MENTORS & GUIDES

Our teachers know and understand each child well. To do this, they listen closely to what children say and make careful observations of their behavior and their interactions. With this knowledge, working alongside our students, teachers guide learning experiences carefully with questions and provocations. They reflect with children and prompt next steps. Grounded in respectful interactions, teachers are able to successfully support children’s individual needs, build on their wonder, support their joy, and help every child realize their potential.

ENVIRONMENT AS THE THIRD TEACHER

After peers and adults, the environment is considered a child’s third teacher. Our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to nurture a child’s sense of wonder and are carefully curated throughout the year to offer new opportunities for both learning and inspiration. The space is playful and warm, reflecting childhood itself. Scaled for our youngest learners, the environment encourages them to feel at home and provide opportunities for collaboration and exploration.

Early Childhood ProgramWhere Children’s Sense of Wonder and Natural Curiosity Flourish

More information: woodland-school.org/academics/early-childhoodi

Children ages 3-5 learn and grow together in our mixed-age environment. Older children display leadership skills, showing respect and compassion for younger children. Younger children adore and emulate their older mentors. We deeply value the social, emotional, and cognitive learning that children experience when they are grouped in a mixed aged, family-like setting.

K-4 LearningWhen Curiosity and Confidence Are Multiplied

FINDING THEIR VOICES

We know that every child is unique. Teachers team with both parents and students to ensure each student is challenged, honored, and has their passions discovered and nurtured. Throughout this journey, students are encouraged to take risks and take responsibility for their own learning, discovering their strengths, tackling their challenges, and finding their voices.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Our students build a strong foundation of reading, writing, and mathematics and master key skills across disciplines to become adept learners. Classroom teachers work to design and integrate meaningful work with specialist teachers in the following subject areas to ensure a balanced curriculum.

• Science

• Design & Technology

• Spanish

• Fine Arts

• Music

• Physical Education

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN EACH CHILD

Our caring community values not only every student’s academic success but also their social and emotional development and maturity. Our teachers are known for

being extraordinarily accessible and supportive and finding a way to bring out the best in every child. In each class, teachers develop mini-communities where every student is known and valued for who they are and the unique qualities they bring.

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION

Woodland teachers are passionate about their commitment to deliver a learning experience that honors our students’ unique strengths and challenges. Ongoing assessment of student reading and math competencies begins in Kindergarten, allowing teachers to design lessons according to ability and skill. Throughout the grade levels, teachers provide “open classroom” after school for those who may need or seek additional support.

More information: woodland-school.org/academics/lower-schooli

Students are encouraged to take risks and take responsibility for their own learning, discovering their strengths, tackling their challenges, and finding their voices.

“Woodland School is a second home for our children and the values taught at Woodland are aligned with our own. . .This matters a great deal because we want our children to grow up to be kind and compassionate adults in addition to being well educated. The school also models a growth mindset. Like at home, [our children] are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn in a safe environment. It is so much easier to raise children when there is consistency and collaboration between school and families as partners.” – Clarke W., Woodland Parent

In addition to strong academics, Woodland’s curriculum is designed to provide the skills our students will need to make their way in our increasingly interconnected world: the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations, to find answers when they are not readily apparent, and to become independent learners and flexible problem solvers who can think critically, collaborate effectively, manage their time, and live ethically.

Here are just some of the programs and projects in middle school that support our students in developing these necessary life skills.

ADVISORY PROGRAM: BUILDING RESILIENCE & NAVIGATING CHANGE

The middle school advisory program is designed to equip students with the self-knowledge necessary to develop their strengths, focus on goals, and be responsible decision-makers. Concepts of metacognition, decision-making, executive function, self-management, and personal advocacy are explored in a small group environment that is rooted in compassion, empathy, and awareness—both of one’s self and of others.

SCIENCE COLLOQUIUM & DESIGN THINKING

For the Science Colloquium, each student in seventh grade chooses a topic of interest, develops a working hypothesis, and designs an experiment to test their theory. Students present their findings to a team of professional scientists and share their work with the

Woodland community. Recent topics have included best techniques for food sanitation, antibiotic resistance, and model rocket fin designs and nose cone shapes.

As with the science colloquium, the principles of design thinking are intentionally woven into the technology curriculum at Woodland School. Students go through the iterative process of identifying a problem to designing, executing, and refining a solution. Students expand their technology aptitude to include robotics, programming, 3-D CAD modeling and design. The Design Lab is equipped with equipment--including a 3-D printer, software, and materials to expand hands-on learning opportunities.

CAPSTONE: THE CULMINATION OF EIGHTH GRADE

At the start of eighth grade, students identify an issue of global or local significance that they are curious or passionate about and create an interdisciplinary project to make a difference or have impact at some level. These “Capstone” projects mark the culmination of middle school and prepare students for more in-depth research in high school and beyond. Guided by a faculty advisor, they conduct research, interview experts in the field, write an expository paper and design an action piece, and present their work by year’s end. To complement their Capstone, students have the opportunity to participate in an international trip, where they work and live alongside members of the community they visit.

More information: woodland-school.org/academics/middle-schooli

Learning In Middle SchoolCourage to Question, Confidence to Speak Up, Compassion to Take Action

Next Schools Program Woodland works closely with our students and their families to facilitate the high school admissions process through our “Next Schools” program. This includes meeting with families, reviewing timelines, preparing students for testing, and more. The goal is to guide each student in identifying, evaluating, and applying to the most appropriate schools for him or her. 75% of the Class of 2017 were accepted into their first choice school. View a full list on our website at www.woodland-school.org/nextschools

Woodland’s vibrant community truly reflects Silicon Valley’s rich mix of backgrounds, traditions, and cultures. Our students, teachers, families, and trustees come from a wide variety of racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds and family configurations, and over half of our families have at least one parent born outside the United States. These differences enrich our environment in countless ways, but it’s what our families have in common that is perhaps more vital: they place a high priority on education, embrace the strength of a diverse community, and believe in instilling a deep set of core values in their children.

HOUSE SYSTEM

Our House System offers students an ongoing opportunity to learn and demonstrate good character and build warm relationships across grade levels. Students get to know and care for one another inside and outside the classroom.

A long-time tradition, the House System is designed to foster camaraderie, provide leadership opportunities, and teach students the value of teamwork. Students enjoy activities such as Buddy Lunches, House Meetings, Service Learning, and quarterly intramural House Cup Games.

ATHLETICS

Woodland’s athletic program provides students the

opportunity to participate in competitive after school sports leagues to bring out individual achievement and develop team-building skills. Our no-cut program is designed to increase the growth of each individual’s character while creating school spirit.

Students in third- through eighth-grade have an opportunity to participate in our after school athletics teams in the following areas:

• Basketball

• Cross Country

• Fast Pitch Softball

• Flag Football

• Soccer

• Swimming

• Track and Field

• Volleyball

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Woodland School is a vibrant and active place after the end of the official academic day with students engaged in a wide variety of optional enrichment activities, such as:

• Carpentry

• Chess

• Dance

• Destination Imagination

• Fencing

• Future Problem Solvers

• JumpBunch

• Mathletes (Math Team)

• Music Lessons

• Programming and Robotics

• Ready Set Sports

• Sciletes (Science Team)

• Spelling Bee

• Tennis

• Tutoring

• Young Inklings (Writing)

• Zumba

Community and Student LifeMany Cultures, One Family

“Woodland students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with so many children, parents and teachers from different cultures, backgrounds and faiths, and the school does an amazing job of celebrating different cultures. This translates into students developing an awareness and appreciation from an early age as to what’s happening in the rest of the world while holding on to a piece of their own culture(s).” – Sualiheen S. and Yasser B., Woodland School Parents

More information: woodland-school.org/student-lifei

“Somehow Woodland has managed to collect the most down-to-earth people in Silicon Valley and put them in one place. Woodland families seem to have high academic standards and want their kids to accomplish their potential, but to do so in a way that is balanced and properly supported by good teaching.” – Annie and Jim K., Woodland School Parents

Visit our website at www.woodland-school.org Find us on Facebook at www.facebookcom/woodlandpk8 Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/woodlandpk8 Follow us on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/woodland

LOCATION 360 La Cuesta Drive Portola Valley, CA 94028 650-854-9065

Woodland School is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and Western Association of

Schools and Colleges (WASC) and a proud member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).