Mission Statement
The mission of Springwater Environmental Sciences School is to integrate the sciences throughout the academic core curriculum in a nurturing environment created and maintained by a high level of parent and community involvement. The philosophy of Springwater Environmental Sciences School is that the sciences are conducive to powerful learning, and that increasing the presence of hands-on experiences with “real World” science in all subjects will increase motivation, relevance, and achievement for our students, as well as foster children’s natural curiosity in the world around them.
Core Values
We Are Authentic
Integrity & Relationship
Nurture a strong sense of self to deepen relationships with peers, teachers, family, and community.
We Are Creative
Responsive & Innovative
Guide with nimble, student-responsive and flexible curriculum that activates life-long learners.
We Are Curious
Inquire & Imagine
Cultivate a natural curiosity about the world to imagine and create a more sustainable and equitable future.
We Are Together
Belonging & Voice
Co-create an environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and give back.
Our Vision
The vision for Springwater Environmental Sciences School is to create a comprehensive school program for a maximum of 200 students in grades K-8, providing all students with the opportunity to learn in and through the sciences, building upon and encouraging their natural love of learning.
Family and Volunteers
A core component of Springwater is its relationship with parents and community members, who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help students understand the relevance and importance of their education. All parents are expected to contribute to the Springwater community through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and supportive roles. Friday field studies are one of the ways in which the relationships between staff, parents, and the larger community will be strengthened and utilized, as well as an artists-in-residence program and partnerships with local and regional environmental science resources.
Our School Community
Springwater promotes strong student-teacher relationships with a small school environment, small class sizes, and staff who are intimately involved in the design and development of class curriculum. Springwater’s K-8 structure is intended to foster and maintain relationships between students, creating a greater sense of community and a broader sense of perspective.
Core components of Springwater Environmental Sciences School
Environmental and sustainable education that:
- Develops in students a love and respect for nature through outdoor experiences
- Integrates science throughout the curriculum
Inquiry and project-based learning that:
- Acts as a core process to develop critical thinking
- Facilitates and demonstrates learning
A community of learners where:
- Families, students and educators learn from each other
- Students are actively involved and present in their education
- Students recognize their role and responsibility to themselves, their neighbors, and the world
Environmental Education Focus
- Environmental sciences, defined as study of the natural world.
- Environmental education, defined as a learning process that increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the skills to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action.
- Sustainability education, defined as a learning process that increases students’ ability to address the challenge of how to maintain community livability, protect natural resources, and sustain a local economy. Students will develop the skills needed to solve complex environmental issues through understanding different perspectives, analyzing problems, balancing competing needs, and taking informed action to find sustainable solutions.
All Students Belong
Although our school is only a small part of the community, schools are where students come to learn and develop some of the core principles that they will use in decision making for the rest of their lives. For too long it has been the case in our country that many groups have not received fair and just treatment based on their race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. This lack of equity has led to negative mental, physical, and educational experiences for these groups. As such, failing to address equity at school fails our future generation of leaders we hope to be raising. Springwater will take all measures to ensure that our students, employees, families and visitors feel safe and supported within our Springwater community. We also acknowledge that institutional racism and discrimination are real, and we will make every effort to ensure that our practices and policies are not designed to put anyone at a disadvantage.
All students are entitled to a high quality educational experience, free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.
All employees are entitled to work in an environment that is free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.
All visitors are entitled to participate in an environment that is free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.
Springwater School Board Policy ACB-G1