At The School in Rose Valley, community isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life. By intentionally keeping our school small, we cultivate a close-knit environment where students, parents, and staff form deep connections. This sense of community is nurtured through shared values, meaningful traditions, and a commitment to genuine citizenship, involving both the joys and the challenges of being active, contributing members of a collective.
Our Mission and Philosophy embodies these values, which guide our daily interactions and long-term goals. At SRV, we champion democracy, celebrate diversity, and commit to non-violent conflict resolution and sustainability. These aren’t just ideals on paper—they are lived experiences. Teachers impart these values to students and encourage their practice throughout the school, while adults model them through partnerships between teachers and parents, collaborative work among staff, and democratic decision-making within the Board of Directors.
Living in a values-driven community requires robust social skills. At SRV, our teachers actively teach and model the behaviors essential for building respectful and successful relationships. Students learn to listen actively, interpret social cues, respect diverse perspectives, and resolve conflicts thoughtfully. We aim to nurture their independence in relationship-building, helping them develop the skills to resolve issues on their own rather than imposing external rules or consequences.
Our commitment to diversity enriches the community experience, fostering complex interconnections among students and adults. Elementary classrooms are vertically grouped, mixing two grades together to broaden peer relationships and allow students to both mentor and learn from one another. Cross-age interactions are encouraged through “buddy” projects, mixed-age recesses, and mini-courses where students collaborate and play across age groups. SRV students also reach beyond the campus, engaging in partnerships with local elders, students from different schools, and organizations dedicated to environmental and service projects, both locally and globally.
One of our most cherished traditions is eating together, which strengthens our sense of togetherness. SRV provides snacks and lunches, and our approach to food fosters healthy eating habits and nutrition awareness. Meals are enjoyed “family style,” with adults and children sharing the same meal together in classrooms, cultivating fellowship and community bonds.
We celebrate community through our own special events and traditions, fostering connections and a sense of shared joy. As a non-sectarian school, we do not observe religious holidays but instead have seasonal celebrations like Apple Day, the Winter Festival, and May Fair. These gatherings allow us to revel in school-made apple cider, sing around a winter bonfire, and watch the children’s beautifully choreographed dances in springtime.
Finally, SRV thrives on a culture of service and partnership. Parents and teachers collaborate closely to support each child’s educational journey, and everyone shares in the responsibility of caring for our campus. Parents volunteer extensively, assisting in the library, chaperoning field trips, and contributing to special projects and events. Our Board of Directors, primarily composed of current and past parents, staff, and alumni, oversees the school’s stewardship, reflecting the long-term commitment and sense of ownership our community members feel.
In the SRV community, we are bound not only by shared goals but by shared responsibility, values, and a collective dedication to making our school a nurturing place for all.
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