Our Methods
“An empowering education must equip students with profound knowledge, cultivate essential skills, and nurture character for ethical engagement with the world.”
At SWACS, we don’t rely on a single way of teaching. Our educators use a diverse toolkit of research-backed teaching methods to engage every child and ensure academic success.
We use the right method at the right time to reach every learner, including students who may be gifted, learning English, or receiving special education services.
The foundation of our instruction rests on these key practices:
The teacher clearly models exactly how to do a task, followed by guided practice. Through personalized elementary instruction, students learn clearly how to tackle a task or new subject. Small class sizes ensure students have one-on-one instruction to learn and eliminate confusion or uncertainty.
Why It Works: Clarity in the students' minds ensures learning goes smoothly, never moving on from a task without answering all the questions first.
Direct and explicit instruction builds foundational skills in reading and math by eliminating confusion and focusing on step-by step mastery. Individual attention for students provides them with all the tools they need to tackle a task with clarity.
Direct and Explicit Instruction
Classroom learning often moves quickly and sometimes students can be left behind. In our small class sizes, teachers frequently use brief, low-stakes checks to see what students have learned, then immediately adjust lessons to target individual needs.
Why It Works: Precision in the classroom allows teachers to make sure their students gain the essential knowledge in early childhood education without moving on too quickly.
Data-driven differentiation ensures that no time is wasted on concepts students already know, and extra help is delivered exactly where it’s needed most. This targeted approach keeps students challenged and supports steady progress.
Data-Driven Differentiation
Students explore questions through hands-on project-based learning, real-world tasks, learning to question, investigate, and solve problems.
Why It Works: Engagement uses real scenarios to get students thinking and build curiosity
Inquiry-based projects foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, helping students construct their own profound knowledge. Information and learning shouldn’t only come from the teachers, it should come from the students themselves.
Inquiry-Based Projects
Students engage deeply with complex texts, learning to use textual evidence to support their ideas and answers. Through guided questions and thoughtful discussion, they can move beyond surface-level understanding.
Why It Works: Comprehension on a deeper level.
Close reading and text analysis helps to strengthen analytical skills and deepen comprehension, teaching students how to access challenging material. Using these tools to break down complex material can teach students how to tackle challenging tasks and questions.
Close Reading & Text Analysis
Life and learning are about teamwork and collaboration. Students work in structured groups to solve problems and complete challenging tasks together.
Why It Works: Life Skills learning in education.
We believe school isn’t just about academic education, but about learning values to bring to every aspect of life. Learning how to work with others is one of the most important aspects for a child to harness in early childhood education. Collaborative learning develops vital teamwork, communication, and social-emotional skills alongside academic content.
Collaborative Learning
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