Educational Philosophy
VALUES
The Phillips Academy's educational philosophy is guided by the core values of respect, integrity, resilience, flexibility, collaboration and humor.
Respect: To receive respect, one must give respect.
Students are treated with respect by all staff. They are addressed in a respectful manner when they are given directions, feedback, when requests are made, and when staff respond to student questions and requests. They are instructed with a full appreciation of their strengths and their challenges. They are encouraged to do their best and are accepted and validated when they struggle. Student voice and collaboration are key features of our program and we strive to develop independent learners with strong self advocacy and self regulation skills.
Staff is treated with respect by the administration. Their requests are addressed in a timely manner, their input is solicited, their performance is supported, and their contributions are recognized.
Staff treats each other with respect. Staff uses communications skills and follows existing policies to resolve conflicts, seeks help when needed, and works collaboratively to meet students’ needs. How we treat each other serves as a model for our students.
Parents and community members are treated with respect. Families are welcomed, their concerns are addressed in a timely manner, their input regarding their child and the school is solicited, their contributions are appreciated.
Students behave in a respectful manner when in the community. They respect community property, and show appreciation to community members for the contributions they have made to our school.
Students are guided to be respectful to their peers and to staff. When respect is demonstrated it is appreciated; when it is not, it is fostered. Students learn that everyone has the right to be treated in a respectful manner.
Students are also guided to respect themselves. This includes doing their best, engaging in positive behavior that enhances their and others’ well-being, and refraining from self-harm, self-deprecation, and self-defeating behaviors.
Integrity: In order to respect oneself, one must develop integrity and adhere to one’s moral principles.
The Phillips Academy as a community appreciates honesty, the ability to accept responsibility for one’s actions and one’s mistakes, treating others with kindness, celebrating differences, and doing the “right” thing for the “right” reason.
We are teaching our students to walk in the world with a strong sense of self, a set of values that honors both self and community, and the drive to find purpose and meaning in their lives.
Resilience: Our students demonstrate resilience each day that they come to school to try again.
Students learn to adopt a growth mindset and view mistakes as a necessary part of learning. Through effort, persistence and support, they have the experience of achieving their goals. Students develop a sense of self-efficacy in their academics by receiving appropriate instruction to encourage adequate progress. Through regulation and co-regulation, students learn to manage their emotions, develop coping skills and problem solving skills to negotiate challenges.
Flexibility: No two students are the same and while we have guiding principles for how we work with youth, students’ plans are truly individualized to meet their specific needs.
We embrace flexibility and teach flexibility to our students by modeling the principle that fairness is not giving everyone the same thing but giving everyone what they need. Students have flexibility in how they access their learning, how they express it, their schedules, and by incorporating interest-based projects when possible. Students learn that there are many ways to reach their goals and that their chosen path is just as good as anyone else’s.
Collaboration: Students’ grow when they have a voice and a team.
The Phillips Academy uses a team approach in guiding students and in teaching students to work with each other. Staff work collaboratively with each other, with families, with school districts, and with community members to enrich the lives of our students. Student voice is key and they are active participants in developing their support plans and in driving their own learning. Students learn to work in groups, help each other learn, and participate in team sports. School-wide events contribute to the development of a sense of community. The importance of the collective good is balanced with the recognition of individual achievement.
Joy: Happiness can be quite elusive but joy is everywhere if you open your eyes and heart.
TPA strives to create, encourage and preserve moments of joy throughout the school day and year. We provide opportunities for students to engage in their special interests, to appreciate the beauty of nature, to experience the joy of friendship and to have the experience of bringing joy to others. We use our slack channel “Success Stories” to share some of these joyous moments with the whole community.
CORE PRINCIPLES
The following core principles form the basis of our educational strategies:
All Students Can Learn: The Phillips Academy was founded on the principle that all students can learn if provided with the right instructional strategies, the right support, and the necessary motivation. Thus a skill building approach using the principles of task analysis (breaking down a task), shaping (recognizing the small steps to the achievement of a final goal) and positive reinforcement (acknowledging and celebrating effort and growth) has been adopted for all areas of student development. Personalized educational plans, a growth mindset which fosters the belief that practice leads to mastery and mistakes are to be embraced rather than feared, and the experience of success lead to self-efficacy and a willingness to face new challenges.
Relationships Foster Learning: Growth is also seen as a direct outcome of the positive relationships students develop with staff and peers. Students must feel safe, connected, and engaged in order to learn.
Students Have a Voice: Students are viewed as necessary and active participants in their educational plans, are taught self-management skills, and are encouraged to express their concerns openly, appropriately and effectively.
School, Family, and Community Partnerships Contribute to Student Success: A team approach including family participation, accessing community resources, and contributing to the community is cultivated to develop the most comprehensive and effective educational plans.
Process and Outcome-based Program: The implementation of instructional strategies and interventions is assessed for fidelity and effectiveness on an on-going basis. Teaching strategies and educational plans are adjusted for each student based on these data.