Highlands Learning Environment

Two words which would capture learning at Highlands are active and varied. Different students have different talents and learning styles. However, the learning environment at Highlands is grounded in some shared philosophical beliefs.

Cooperative Learning

The ability to work effectively and cooperatively with others is a necessity in family, work, and community throughout life. In cooperative learning groups, students work together to achieve social and academic goals. Structured cooperative groups enhance learning, increase motivation to achieve, encourage positive social relationships and improve psychological health.

Choice Theory and the Five Basic Needs

We believe that all people have five basic needs -- love and belonging, fun, freedom, success, and survival. People choose to behave in ways to meet those needs. By understanding our basic needs we can make positive choices and better understand the behavior of others.

Equity, Race & Culture

We teach children at Highlands to become advocates for equity.  To make this happen we focus staff development efforts on equity, race and culture.  We partner with parents using a series of discussions and parent education sessions.  In classrooms we use the Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learnng model developed by Sharroky Hollie.  We are intentional about helping learn about equity, culture and race.

Lifeskills

Life skills are dispositions, attitudes or habits that will enhance students' success, academically and socially throughout life. The list of life skills guides our behavior as we learn and interact with others. They also provide us with a common language to be intentional about creating a safe and respectful environment. These skills are taught, modeled and practiced at Highlands.

Conflict Resolution

Since conflict is a natural part of life, it is necessary that we learn how to interact effectively and peacefully with each other. Therefore everyone at Highlands learns a step-by-step process called Conflict Resolution to help us solve interpersonal conflicts.