Our Educational Approach
MACS is focused on student growth and academic achievement through a whole child approach to education. Our mission is to provide all students with the social and academic successes necessary to help them realize their potential for local impact and global change. To achieve this, we implement four central tenets of teaching and learning – Whole Child Approach, Student Growth & Academic Achievement, 21st Century Learning Environment, and Community.
Whole Child Approach – MACS believes our first job is to make sure students are healthy, happy, and whole every day. This means we equip students to know how to care for themselves, others, set goals, learn skills for collaboration, discussion, and so much more. Our schedule protects at least one hour a day to ensure our students are growing into well adjusted adolescents during morning and afternoon Crew, and our teachers provide them the guidance to navigate real world settings, emotions, and triumphs as they mature.
Student Growth & Achievement – At MACS, we quantify mastery as both standards-based proficiency (GSEs) and individual growth across disciplines over time. No two students start the school year in the same place, thus MACS prioritizes the need to ensure students are receiving academic content that is equitable for their individual pathway and prepares them for success at each level of their education. Using adaptive diagnostics three times per year, our academic focus includes teaching both grade level standards, and individualized instruction through Power Hour. Supporting the balance of individual growth and academic achievement across disciplines are unique student-engaged assessment practices which position students to be leaders of their own learning at MACS.
21st Century Learning Environment – STEM, Coding as a Second Language, Digital Literacy, Virtual Responsibility, our goal is to prepare students for the 21st Century through innovative courses, studies, and exposure to various professions. Our curriculum must prepare students for the technologically advanced world they will encounter as they matriculate, and equip them with the skills, mindsets, and ethics to navigate that world responsibly.
Community – Families and community members are students first educators and are our partners in their education. At MACS, families are members of the Crew as we value their contributions, traditions, and backgrounds, and engage them actively in the life of the school during whole community crew on Fridays, volunteer opportunities, and family celebrations. We leverage our community as collaborative partners in the design of MACS, and students’ academic and personal growth.
With these four tenets, we make sure we are focused on the key aspects of making the learning experience a positive one for all students.
