WARWICK ACADEMICS
Warwick scholars engage in educational journeys that are centered around place-based learning, STEAM principles, and nature-focused exploration. Each student's personalized curriculum places a strong emphasis on fostering diversity, justice, inclusion, and social-emotional learning. Warwick's educational system ensures that students receive tailored learning plans and the necessary support for smooth transitions as they progress through secondary levels of education.
Our curriculum aims to instill a sense of joy in students' daily learning. It fosters engagement being standards-aligned, research-based, and hands-on. Project-based learning and the arts are emphasized through on-site artist-in-residence. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded education that cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, ensuring students find joy in their educational journey.
THE WARWICK WAY
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Personalization is at our core. We are able to personalize student work to meet the interests and needs of every child. Students will engage in work grade level and beyond in order for all students to meet their full potential.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & JUSTICE & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Warwick fosters inclusivity, cultural responsiveness and appreciation, and enhances students' abilities to navigate challenges, cooperate, and engage in respectful debate. Our responsive and restorative approach ensures students feel a sense of deep engagement and belonging. We encourage students to become active members of the Warwick community and advocates for a more just world.
CURRICULUM
THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING IN NATURE
The Benefits of Learning in Nature
HEALTH BENEFITS
Kids that spend time outdoors tend to be more active, stronger immune systems, more vitamin D, and promotes good sleep cycles. Time spent outdoors can have a positive influence on mental health, including lower levels of stress and blood pressure, as well as helping to buoy mood.
Nature based learning enables children to discover the joys of the world and how they each fit into it.
IMPROVED FOCUS & DISCIPLINE
Studies have shown that children that spend time outdoors tend to have better focus, enhanced creativity, and fewer instances requiring discipline. Research found that the benefits are especially strong for students who struggle staying focused and engaged in regular classroom settings.
IMPROVED LEARNING DEVELOPMENT
A Stanford study found benefits included environmental literacy development, cognitive development, social and emotional learning development, physical development and language and literacy development.
What is Place-Based Instruction?
Place based learning will allow our students to learn in and about nature as a way to make their learning engaging and meaningful with a strong emphasis on Warwick's community, town government, and town history.
Our project based learning will be “place based” and will focus on our beautiful woodland campus. Students’ learning is connected to their own hometown and natural environment as it applies to civics, learning the culture, social issues, geography, people, structures, economics, and biodiversity of the local community
Warwick’s commitment to place-based learning is reflected in our campus and future campus plans. The district has partnered with the community and select committee and boards to reinvent the campus as a natural landscape for learning.
*Warwick has partnered with nearby Antioch University, which specializes in place-based and nature-based learning. This type of specific, expert curriculum support with universities and colleges is planned to continue.
THE BENEFITS OF PLACE BASED INSTRUCTION
A deeper connection with their surroundings provides a structure for considering communities and cultures in other lands, which is the basis of becoming a global citizen.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Our early childhood developmental learning approach incorporates a deep-rooted understanding of the importance and significance of play in a young child’s development, a commitment to Massachusetts Early Childhood Standards, and nature exploration and time outdoors. This emphasis will align with, and prepare students for, Warwick’s elementary school emphasis on environmental and nature studies.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Warwick Community School is a public elementary school. Students who have been evaluated and have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans will receive special services from special educators as specified on their plans.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLANS
Learning plans are curated every year by Warwick educators with students and families closely involved. Every year new goals are set for their development in academics, social emotional growth, and leadership for the environment. Students will have the opportunity to share their interests and research questions about nature and the world that they seek to answer in the coming year.
STUDENT SERVICES
ADDITIONAL CURRICULAR RESOURCES
The Benefits of Learning in Nature
A centerpiece of the programming at Warwick Community School will be a focus on nature. Check out some of the research here, data here and benefits here.
Our reading program
The reading program at the Warwick Community School will be based on the science of reading. The heart of our program will be the Orton Gillingham multisensory approach. You can find more information about the importance of the science of reading here.
Additional information
If you would like additional resources or information shared with you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
