Progressive Education

The Missoula Community School is in its third year as a progressive alternative for the education of young children. As we have refined our mission and developed our curriculum, we have ‘discovered’ like-minded schools around the country.

No two progressive schools anywhere are exactly alike, but all progressive schools share a belief in the importance of educating children to become active, engaged members of their communities, to become lifelong learners who take ownership of their education, and to fulfill their potential. Among the similarities likely to be observed among progressive schools:

• an integrated (rather than segmented) approach to academic subjects
• an individualized and observational (rather than standardized) approach to assessment
• an emphasis on applied and demonstrated skills (rather than skills learned and tested in isolation)
• an emphasis on community, which requires respect for diversity and respect for each individual’s rights, uniqueness, and contribution
• an enthusiastic approach to learning, shared by children, parents and staff

Below is a list of a few progressive schools around the USA. None is exactly like MCS; some are a hundred years old; some are newer than MCS. But all share elements of philosophy and curriculum that make them of interest.