At the Cooperative we strive to meet the needs of the whole child. Therefore, our day is scheduled to accommodate the physical and emotional needs of students. Our space is equipped with cooking facilities and areas for structured and unstructured activities, and for group and individual instruction.
As a Cooperative community our students are stakeholders in the learning space configuration and upkeep of our environment. Students have access to kitchen facilities for preparing their own lunches, and are given many opportunities to plan and prepare meals. At the Cooperative we have weekly community lunch on Tuesdays and community breakfast on Thursdays. Students also assist with tidying and cleaning our space to build independent living skills.
As seasoned educators, we understand the need for children to have the opportunity to move and explore. We build outdoor experiences and playtime into every day. We dress for the weather, and venture outdoors to experience nature and increase wonder even in the winter months. With our close proximity to Newblock Park and the Riverparks, we are able to allow our students to climb trees, tumble in the grass, and explore nature. We also provide an introduction to outdoor games and sports, and incorporate walking, hiking, and biking into our schedule.
As lifelong learners ourselves, we seek to inspire students to enjoy reading and learning as well as the arts, and the natural world. We promote a variety of activities including: STEM activities, math talks, novel studies; interest inspired exploration in art, photography, music, history, and geography; and visits to museums, parks, science and cultural centers. We also believe in the benefits of hands-on and experiential learning. We provide students with a variety of hands on lessons and projects throughout the year and we reserve Fridays as field trip and project days.
As mentors, we encourage our students to be active members of our community, and we model kindness, acceptance, joy, love, and forgiveness. We foster these traits in our students daily through interpersonal interaction and through service to our community. The Cooperative is not affiliated with any religious denomination, but, we strive to develop in our students the virtues of patience, honesty, fortitude, mercy, and compassion.