As we welcome a new year, the energy across our campuses is palpable! We are looking at the journey, focusing on the intentional steps that uplift our students to lead, learn, and succeed. This year, Distinctive Schools's four key academic priorities will continue supporting joyful, high-quality, and deeply personalized education for every child.
Cultivating Confidence Through Early Literacy
Reading is the foundation of learning. This spring, we will continue deepening our commitment to our K–2 scholars through a high-touch phonics initiative. By centering our work on the science of reading, we are making good on the promise that our youngest learners move from decoding sounds to building true reading confidence.
The Distinctive Approach: We are supporting our educators through "phonics walks"—collaborative, real-time feedback sessions that provide teachers with actionable strategies they can use the very same day.
Igniting Agency with Math Choice Boards
Math goes beyond numbers, emphasizing critical thinking and ownership. We are officially scaling our Math Choice Boards across every K–8 classroom. By giving students the power to choose how they demonstrate their mastery, we are reducing math anxiety and replacing it with an "I can do this" attitude.
The Distinctive Goal: Move beyond memorization and build deep, conceptual understanding where every student knows they are a "math person."
Personalized Care Through MTSS
Through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), we continually refine the ways in which we meet students exactly where they are. Streamlined small-group routines and high-dosage support addresses the "whole child" from academic gaps to attendance and social-emotional well-being.
Our Distinctive Commitment: We are investing in modeling and feedback cycles, so that our intervention strategies are as dynamic and unique as the students we serve.
Designing the Future with Learner Profiles
Learner Profiles will be guiding our educators this spring! Profiles highlight a student’s individual strengths, interests, and learning preferences. When educators deeply know and understand their students, they can personalize learning to meet their unique needs and interests.
Distinctive Innovation: We are helping students articulate their own learning identities. AI-powered learner profiles help teachers know their students authentically, and support students in taking ownership of their goals and learning.
Everything we do is designed to move the needle on what matters most: academic mastery and learner agency. Whether it’s a kindergartner mastering their first sentence or a high schooler leading their own learning through a digital profile, we are dedicated to making every moment count.
We are so proud of the work our staff and students are doing. Stay tuned as we share more wins, stories, and milestones from across the network!