Will My Child Thrive At CIJS?

All children are welcome to apply to CIJS.  No school, however, is a good fit for EVERY child.  Because CIJS is Reggio-inspired and focuses on project-based learning, particular learning environments are characteristic of our school.  Children grow and learn best in environments that are suited to their personalities and ones that they naturally enjoy.  As you choose the school that is best for you and your child, you may find the following information helpful:

• Transitions, Stimulation & Change: CIJS provides a visually stimulating and active environment that involves numerous transitions throughout the day, both within the classroom and between classes and specials.

• Flexibility:  While CIJS offers a carefully planned and organized curriculum, scheduling is often flexible, so that our student researchers can dive more deeply into related concepts that arise in line with student interests.  Teachers are trained  to teach standards while capitalizing on these interests. Consequently, activities can often take unpredictable turns.  Students who do best at CIJS, find such flexible environments academically interesting.

• Abstract Thinking & Openness:  Inquiry-based teaching is an essential aspect of Reggio education.  Students are continually asked to engage in creative and critical thinking that involves analyzing, abstract thought, the consideration of hypothetical situations and that make use of metaphors and figurative language.  While these activities are geared toward children’s developmental levels, they do require openness and a tolerance for interpretation of concepts which allows students to engage in investigative work.  

• Group Sizes:  Students engage in activities with multiple group sizes throughout the day.   Direct instruction is often provided, in addition to projects, and can sometimes be offered to small groups of children, but assistants and one-on-one instruction is not available.  CIJS predominantly offers the following group sizes on average. 

• • Pre-K: 1 to 11 or 2 to 20 during VPK hours. 1 to 20 during extended care hours.

• • Grades K-3: Average of 1 to 18

• • Grades 4-8: Average of 1 to 22

In addition to environmental factors, please take time to review our “School Policies”  below to determine if CIJS is a good fit for you and your family.