Different Levels, Different Subjects,
Same Classroom
Students in our classroom often work on different subjects and different skill levels at the same time. This allows each student to learn at their own pace while still being part of a collaborative classroom community.
Flexible Learning Space
Our classroom tables are flexible and can be arranged for small group instruction, independent work, or collaborative projects. The teacher works directly at the tables with students, moving between them to provide individual help, instruction, and support throughout the day.
Younger students especially learn by building, creating, pretending, and exploring. This space allows students to act out ideas, build models, use hands-on materials, and take movement or brain breaks when needed. Students may work at tables, on the floor, or at activity stations depending on what helps them learn best.
Learning Through Play and Exploration
Movement and Energy Breaks
Students sometimes need movement to refocus and stay engaged. Our indoor movement area allows students to climb, swing, and move before returning to learning. Short movement breaks often help students focus better and be more productive during work time.
Quiet Reading and Study Space
Our library room is a quiet space where students can read, study, work independently, or take a quiet break when they need a calm environment. With hundreds of fiction and nonfiction books for all ages and levels, students always have something new to explore and read.
Outdoor Time and Exploration
Students also have access to an outdoor field for games, outdoor learning, and fresh air. Outdoor time is flexible and based on the day, the weather, and student needs.
Welcome to Our Classroom
Learning That Fits Every Mind
Vibrant Minds is a small, multi-age classroom where students learn at their own pace, work on individualized goals, and explore topics through hands-on, integrated learning. Our classroom is calm, supportive, and flexible, allowing students to grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.
At Vibrant Minds, students are not expected to sit in a desk all day. Learning can happen at tables, on the floor, through moving, building, creating, and exploring.
Tue-Thur Morning
Morning Arrival
Students arrive, unpack, and get settled for the day. Older students begin with journaling while younger students put away their things, play briefly, and prepare for the day.
Integrated Learning Block
Mornings are spent in our integrated learning unit, where reading, writing, science, and social studies are taught together through projects, research, and hands-on learning. All students work on the same general topics but at different levels and with individualized goals.
Lunch and Snacks
Students bring their own lunch and snacks. We take a general lunch break around 11:00–11:30, but students may eat when they are hungry. Some students prefer to eat first and play later, while others eat while working if they are being respectful and responsible. Our schedule is flexible because children often know when they are hungry and need a break.
How Our Daily Schedule Works
A Typical Day at
Vibrant Minds
Tue-Thur Afternoon
Math Rotation
Afternoons include individual math instruction tailored to each student’s level. Students rotate through math instruction and independent work time while the teacher works one-on-one or in small groups with students at their individual math level.
Afternoon Learning and Projects
When students are not in math instruction, they work on electives, projects, research, independent reading, or individualized learning goals.
Breaks and Movement
Students are not expected to sit all day. Students may take short movement breaks, use the play area, visit the library room, or go outside when appropriate. Movement and breaks help students stay focused and productive. Students learn to manage their time and take breaks responsibly.
Moving forward only when ready. This mastery-based model allows students to celebrate growth through student-led conferences, where they take ownership of their typical day and showcase their true academic achievements.
Mastery Approach
Friday Enrichment
Learning Expanded
Fridays are more flexible and often include art, additional science projects, field trips, collaborative projects, homeschool meetups, or time to finish projects and presentations. Math is still practiced on most Fridays, but the day is more focused on enrichment, creativity, and hands-on learning.
Learning
Flexibility
Our days are structured but flexible. We follow a general routine, but we adjust our schedule based on student needs, projects, field trips, and learning opportunities. Some days we may spend more time on science projects, writing, or group activities depending on what we are learning and what students are interested in.
When a student enrolls, we gather information from multiple sources including parent observations, student input, previous school records, and work samples. We also use diagnostic assessments to determine each student’s instructional level. For math, we use the Adaptive Diagnostic Assessment of Mathematics (ADAM). For reading, we use the Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment (DORA) for students in first grade and above. For kindergarten students, we use a kindergarten readiness and early childhood strengths and weaknesses assessments. These assessments do not place students into a grade level. Instead, they show the level a student is functioning at instructionally so we can teach them at the level that best supports their growth. Students may work at different levels in different subjects depending on their strengths and needs. We continue to monitor student progress and adjust instruction as students grow, struggle, or excel.
How Students Learn at Vibrant Minds
At Vibrant Minds, students are not placed strictly by grade level. Instead, we look at each child as an individual learner. We use parent input, student input, previous school information, diagnostic assessments, and work samples to understand where each student is academically and what they are ready to learn next. From there, we build individualized learning goals and instruction to help each student grow at their own pace.
Assessment and Placement
Individual Learning Goals
Mastery-Based Learning
Student-Led Conferences
Vibrant Minds uses a mastery-based learning model instead of traditional grades. Students are evaluated based on their level of mastery and understanding rather than receiving letter grades. We use mastery levels: *Beginning– Just starting to learn the skill *Emerging – Developing the skill and beginning to understand *Competent – Can complete the skill with minimal help *Mastered – Can complete the skill independently or goes above and beyond expectations Students often use rubrics for projects and assignments. Even when students work on the same project, their goals may be different based on their learning level, allowing students of different ages to work together. At the end of projects or learning units, students review their work with the teacher and may revise or improve their work to reach a higher mastery level. Learning is about growth and improvement, not just finishing an assignment.
Every eight weeks, students participate in student-led conferences with their parents. Before the conference, the teacher meets individually with the student to review their goals, progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. During the conference, students explain: *What their goals were *What their teacher’s goals were *Whether they met their goals *What they learned Students also share: * Examples of their work and progress *Their new goals for the next eight weeks This helps students take responsibility for their learning, reflect on their progress, and build confidence and independence.
Each student has individualized learning goals based on their assessment results, classroom performance, strengths, and interests. Students help set their own learning goals and take ownership of their progress. We set: *Teacher goals for each student *Student goals set by the student *Goals for individual subjects and projects These goals are reviewed and adjusted every eight weeks as students grow and progress.
Technology
Technology is used as a learning tool, not a replacement for learning. Students use technology for: Google Classroom assignments and communication Research and writing projects Educational programs and individualized learning tools Virtual field trips and virtual guest speakers Learning responsible technology use and digital citizenship Students in upper elementary and above are expected to have access to a laptop for schoolwork. Younger students may use shared classroom devices when needed.
Real-World Learning
We focus heavily on real-world learning and helping students understand how what they learn connects to their lives, their community, and the world. Many of our projects are based on real-world topics, problem solving, research, and hands-on experiences that help students think critically and make meaningful connections.
Field Trips
Field trips are an important part of learning at Vibrant Minds and may include: Museums Nature centers and parks Local businesses Community events Historical sites Hands-on learning locations Depending on the trip and group size, transportation may include parent drop-off and pick-up, parent carpooling, or shared transportation arrangements. As the school grows, we hope to expand transportation options and field trip opportunities.
Community and Guest Speakers
We try to bring the community into our classroom whenever possible. This may include: Guest speakers Community helpers Local artists or professionals Collaboration with homeschool students Community events and activities These experiences help students see how learning connects to real life and the world around them.
Learning Beyond The Classroom
Is Vibrant Minds a Good Fit for Your Child?
Vibrant Minds is a small, individualized learning environment and may not be the right fit for every student. Our school is a great fit for students who benefit from small group learning, individualized instruction, hands-on learning, and a flexible environment.
Vibrant Minds may be a good fit for students who:
- Benefit from small group learning
- Need individualized instruction
- Enjoy hands-on projects and learning
- Are independent or learning to become independent
- Do not thrive in large classroom environments
- Enjoy multi-age learning
- Want a flexible learning environment
- Are willing to set goals and take responsibility for their learning
The best way to see if Vibrant Minds is the right fit for your child is to visit our classroom, meet our students, and see how our learning environment works.
We would love to meet your family and answer any questions you may have.
VIBRANT MINDS PRIVATE SCHOOL
1380 High St. Ste 5
Washington, Missouri 63090
Program Coordinator: Mathina Starks MStarks@vibrantmindswashmo.com
(636) 259-9711 | Call or Text