Post on 17-Jul-2015
excessive homework
Most kids today are fighting for their childhood. With8 hours a day spent inschool, and 2 hours of homework, the averagechild does not have an opportunity to create, play, imagine, and have down time.
education in the u.s.
7000 students drop out of School EACH DAY
U.S. ranks 21st against 30 developing countries in science
30% of students do not graduate high school
543 billion dollars were spent on public school education in 2010, less than half reached the classrooms and teachers in 2010
By the end of 8th grade, U.S. students are two years behind other countries in math.
68% of 8th graders can’t read proficiently, and most will never catch up.
state education rankings
~ Statistical Research Center at AIP
The Best and Worst for Math and Science
Arizona ranks 50th in the nation for per pupil spending
Arizona’s class size averageis second highest in the nation
Arizona ranks 40th in the nation for on-time graduation
Arizona is tied for 6th in the nation for the percentage of teenagers not in school
Grade 4 Mathematics Rank, 44
Grade 4 Reading Rank, 44
Grade 4 Science Rank, 48
Grade 8 Mathematics Rank, 37
Grade 8 Reading Rank, 42
Grade 8 Science Rank, 46
arizona’s education
in the new world
change is constant
“The next generation of business leaders will face a world that is the most complex, dynamic and fast- moving in history. How do we prepare students to meet these 21st century demands? The answer lies not just in new approaches to teaching and embracing technology. Our challenge requires a complementary spacial response - education environments that inspire collaboration, drive curiosity and foster leadership.”
‒‒ University Grads Don’t Make the Grade, by Jeffrey Holmes with Global Strategy Group (Global Strategy Group, a prominent research firm, to conduct an online survey of 500 elite business decision- makers across North America.)
changing the status quo
“The fact is that given the challengeswe face, education doesn't need to be reformed ‒ it needs to be transformed.
The key to this transformation is not to standardize education, but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions.”
~ Ken Robinson, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
montessori has endured
through the test of time
To change the status quo takes time and courage; it is happening slowly around the world as people wake up … but it is difficult. Other schools are opening up to this …Desert Garden Montessoriis already there.
montessori: founded and
created with nothing but
the child at the center.
It was by design, over 100 years ago.
reaching full potential
vs. making the grade
Achieving full potential at DGM
Most schools today are just meeting the benchmark
desert garden montessori
For over 15 years, Desert Garden has been delivering this innovative approachof education, an approach that empowers and guides children to reach their full potential academically, creatively and intellectually.
emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence cannot be prescribed; It must be cultivated over time – integrated throughout the school.
the power of the village
DGM community is comprised of children, parents, teachers, and community partners, all working together and supporting one another.
academic, social, and
emotional strength
DGM kids maintain their academic, social, emotional strength despite just utilizing the “school day”.
Mathematics: 40% at 6th grade level 60% at 4th grade level (long division takes them to 6th)
Geometry: 100% 5th–6th grade level
Cultural and Physical Geography: 100% 6th–8th grade
Map making introduced at 6th grade level. Geography standards remain constant through 8th grade (for social studies, history changes, geography does not).
desert garden montessori
lower elementary
Desert Garden 9-years-old students (3rd graders)
Science: 100 % at 7th grade level
Simple discussion of the solar system, lunar cycles and impacts of natural hazards on habitats is a5th grade standard.
Engaging in the science fair process take them to a 6th grade level. Observing others’ experiments satisfies this as well.
Parts of the Earth not introduced until 7th grade.
desert garden montessori
lower elementary
Desert Garden 9-years-old students (3rd graders)
Biology: 100% at 4th–5th grade level
History: 100% 6th grade
Language Arts: 100% at 5–6th grade level Parts of speech emphasized at 6th grade level (for comprehensive list)
desert garden montessori
lower elementary
Desert Garden 9-years-old students (3rd graders)
montessori educated
Amazon Founder: Jeff Bezos
Google Founders: Sergey Brin and Larry Page
CEO, The Washington Post: Katharine Graham