What is special about the teaching methods My City School utilizes to teach to capacity?

MCS utilizes remediation techniques, while focusing on learning and understanding,  which support our students. Remediation supports the foundational building blocks of where the breakdown in learning is happening. This approach creates a consistent ‘one track of learning’ vs. receiving remediation outside the classroom, then returning to the classroom which uses different strategies.*

*Please note: Although remediation techniques are used in the classroom for teaching and support, this does not replace the need for one-to-one remediation students may need outside of the classroom to develop underlying skills, such as in reading, spelling, and comprehension.

What is the difference between remediation vs. tutoring?

Remediation and Tutoring typically serve different purposes, and can be equally important. If a student has learning differences, it’s important to support a child with remediation so they can develop the neural networks that ultimately lead to a child becoming an independent learner.  Along this journey, (which can last Kindergarten-College) tutoring is often critical to ensure content can be understood and academic progress is achieved.

• Remediation is intensive intervention, delivered by a specialists, often taking information from formal and informal assessment of academic skills, and utilizing specific, alternative teaching strategies, to build up skill sets that directly impact the ability to learn independently. Remediation focus on closing the gaps that are pre-existing. It is not a 'remedial' class.

• Tutoring provides assistance with homework and teaches children requiring private instruction in specific subject matter, focusing on academic goals from the school curriculum.
  

What learning differences do we see and support in our classroom?

While each child has a unique profile, we have students that have a variety of diagnosed and undiagnosed learning differences. In our environment we find our students internalize learning best through multi-sensory, or kinesthetic learning.  It is common for our students to have ADHD/ADD, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Auditory and general Processing deficits, Visual and Spatial deficits, Memory Recall challenges, Fine Motor skill deficits, comprehension issues, and expressive language challenges.

Other than academics, what do students learn at MCS?

• To develop an understanding of their unique way of learning and thinking.

• To build self-esteem and develop the needed skills to become self-advocates, in order to grow and maintain their love of learning.

• To appreciate individual differences of members in their learning community.

• To demonstrate a passion for learning, develop self confidence and the skills needed for high school.

• To make good choices and act responsibly. To build trust and be honest.

• To be responsible, socially competent citizens who participate actively.

• To respect and value yourself and others. To engage and embrace diversity.

• To work hard and have fun.

What is MCS’s bullying policy?

We are committed to maintaining a respectful and supportive educational environment where all students can thrive. Bullying behavior is not in line with our values, and we work actively with families to ensure a safe and inclusive space for every child. As such, we do not tolerate bullying behavior, as it goes against our core values of respect and inclusion.

If we find that a child is unable to refrain from bullying behavior, we will work with the family to find an appropriate placement for the child.