Red Cedar's culture of authentic and rigorous learning engages the minds of students. High expectations and structure foster academic habits. Support for personal initiative and investment nurtures the growth of independence. Students are prepared for college and for lives of active learning.

Critical Thinking and Communication

Essential skills of life-long learners, most importantly critical thinking and communication, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to care about ideas, ask important questions, gather information, and consider deliberatively. Students regularly engage in scientific investigation, and in problem solving. Writing is given an integral focus throughout a student's years in the school. The reading of literature is valued across the curriculum. Lively discussion is a hallmark of many classes. Students share and present their work orally and publish their writing. Experiences in the visual arts, music, drama, design and building are interwoven throughout the curriculum. Students study Spanish at all levels.

Experiential Learning

Hands-on projects and learning in the field motivate students by providing genuine work and meaningful opportunities to integrate and apply skills of research, critical thinking and communication. Examples of such projects include forming a farm-market business that grows and sells garlic; researching the relationship between humans and the landscape in the local community through interviews and site studies, and presenting findings at the Vermont Folklife Center; participating in the Cornell Feeder Watch program through banding and observing birds; developing and performing a play based on a piece of literature; building stairs to the basement while studying the Pythagorean theory.

Small and Personal Classes

Classes are small with an average size of ten. Teachers work closely with students to understand, engage and challenge each of them. All students are given personal attention. Individual learning styles are honored.

Multi-Age Groupings

Multi-age groupings with a span of about three years form the make-up of most classes. Students work together within these groupings on shared themes and activities, with each individual working at a personally challenging level and pace. Classes such as math and Spanish are focused directly at a particular level. Each group within the school has a home base with a core teacher.