Every so often I’ll be walking across campus and spot a familiar face that I haven’t seen in a while. Usually, it’s a former Courtyard student. Back to volunteer, or to intern with us. A few, after college, even come back to work here.
That’s the best thing I can tell a family about what the years here are like. Kids don’t come back to a place unless it meant something to them, and that says so much about their experience here, and our community.
But most families touring Courtyard usually want to know more about the tangible things, like how our students learn, where they go once they graduate, and how they do when they get there. And those things can be important, too, so here’s our answer to all three of those questions.
How Courtyard students learn
At Courtyard, our students are grouped by where they are in a subject, not by their grade. If a fifth grader is ready for sixth-grade math, that’s where they go. If a student needs more time with fractions, they can have it, in the same room, with their same friends, without a label attached.
Our classrooms are built to make that feel natural. Starting in third grade, two grade levels share a room and a teacher for two years in a row, so mixed-level grouping is just a normal part of how each day is structured. And one of the other amazing benefits of the multi-age program is that when a class moves into year two together, the teacher already knows every single kid. (Here is a closer look at how our multi-age classrooms work.)
We also keep a close eye on where each student stands. Kids work through iReady diagnostics a few times a year, and we check in on progress every trimester. When a student needs extra support in reading, or math, they’re placed in a small group with that focus, and our teachers will email you about the study guide when it’s happening, not just before conference time.
Homework is finished at school. The academic day goes right into study hall, where kids get to do the work with an adult nearby to help. That can really make a big difference. Families get their evenings back, and children get help when they need it, instead of right before bedtime at the kitchen table.
Where Courtyard students go next
Our graduates move on to a wide range of schools, and they get into the ones they really want. Public, charter, and private, including Jesuit, St. Francis, and Christian Brothers. Which one a family picks usually comes down to the same things every family weighs: academics, extracurriculars, specialty programming, and location.
Wherever they decide to go, they are well prepared, and many of them place into AP classes.
How they do after Courtyard
Middle school and high school can be a hard time for a lot of kids, in ways that have nothing to do with what they have learned or how smart they are. What I tell families, and what I know, is that Courtyard students will be okay, academically, socially, and emotionally.
They are intelligent, curious, and they think critically. They are creative, and they are kind leaders, even when it’s difficult. They are ready, and I am always excited and proud to see what they go on to do.
One thing to think about
Courtyard is a small school, and we are not the right match for every family. We don’t offer a dedicated gifted track or an ESL program. If you are not sure what your kid might need, ask us. I would rather talk it through now, before you’ve put down a deposit and decided to enroll. (We’ve also written about who tends to thrive here.)
Come see for yourself
The best way to understand how our students learn is to watch it happen. Our day runs 7am to 6pm, and you are welcome to schedule a visit for any part of it. Schedule a tour on our website or call us at (916) 442-5395.
TK and kindergarten are full for this year, but we have openings for first through eighth grade.
