San Diego Cooperative Charter School (SDCCS) was founded with a vision to offer excellent education in a child-centered environment. Our tuition-free TK-8 school is a warm and welcoming space where all learners thrive. Behind the inclusive atmosphere, hands-on projects, campus gardens and chicken coop is a dense education model, founded on decades of education research, called “Constructivism”.
What is it?
Constructivism is a learning theory that is fundamental to the education model of SDCCS. In fact, it’s so important that it was written into our school charter. In short, Constructivism says that learners do not acquire knowledge by passively perceiving it. Instead, knowledge is gained through experience and social discourse, integrating new information with what is already known.
How is it used in our classrooms?
In a constructivist classroom, learning is an active process. Instead of telling students what to believe, SDCCS teachers encourage our students to think for themselves and become active participants in their own learning. We help students explore and understand how ideas are connected and encourage discussions about what is being taught. This might mean asking open-ended questions (instead of ones with clear right and wrong answers) to spur conversation and interest. Curiosity and experimentation are valued and encouraged, and students work primarily in groups to find new solutions to problems.
Does it work?
It does! There are so many benefits to Constructivism as an education model at SDCCS:
- Classroom Engagement: Our students are actively involved in classroom lessons, rather than passive listeners.
- Building Understanding: Rather than focusing on rote memorization, our students are learning how to think and understand through the process of questioning and inquiry.
- Real-World Learning: Grounding learning in hands-on, real-world projects inspires natural curiosity in the ecosphere around us.
- Social & Communication Skills: By working collaboratively on group projects, cross-age mentoring and buddy programs, our students learn to articulate their own ideas and cooperate with others.
- Self Regulation: Our blended project-based learning encourages academically motivated students to explore topics at a pace and depth that they determine, with goals that they can manage independently.
At San Diego Cooperative Charter School, we inspire academic excellence with innovative and proven educational practices. Is your child ready to thrive? Contact us and learn more today!
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About San Diego Cooperative Charter School
San Diego Cooperative Charter School is a tuition-free charter school serving TK-8 grade students in the San Diego, CA area. Our warm learning atmosphere and excellent academics inspire empathetic, engaged lifelong learners. Students are supported by a unique co-op model of family engagement. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.