The McAuliffe philosophy is based on the principles of Progressive Education developed over 125 years ago by Francis Parker & John Dewey which emphasize the following values: attending to the whole child, intrinsic motivation, deep understanding, active learning, community, collaboration, social justice, and taking kids seriously.
In the heart of Silicon Valley, where many schools strive to fill students’ minds with volumes of information, McAuliffe School offers children a learning community of educational excellence where parents report that their children acquire the following benefits:
“Progressive education isn’t just more appealing, it’s also more productive. When students spend more time thinking about ideas rather than memorizing facts…and when they are invited to help direct their own learning, they are not only more likely to enjoy what they’re doing, but do it better.” – Alfie Kohn, 2008
Discipline is about solving problems and is an essential part of the educational process. At McAuliffe, we view discipline as a positive learning experience. Our emphasis is on changing inappropriate behavior, not on punishment. However, this does not mean that we are more tolerant of inappropriate behavior. In fact, if anything, it means we strive to be more vigilant in confronting inappropriate behavior, because to not do so fails to take advantage of a learning opportunity for the child, and our inaction, which does not go unnoticed by the child, implies adult consent, reinforcing the inappropriate behavior. (Parent Handbook)
At McAuliffe, teachers and parents teach children to work out their own difficulties whenever possible. We strive not to do for a child what he can do for himself, and give help only when needed. We encourage our children to be courageous and self-reliant.
McAuliffe School is one of the few places where children learn to constructively resolve difficult social/emotional problems. We make conflict resolution a priority. When conflicts arise, teachers and parents help children learn how to resolve them respectfully. This is an essential skill that allows our students to be successful in school, work, and in all aspects of life. Parents learn how to help students with conflict resolutions through the McAuliffe Aide Training (MAT) classes that we offer.
McAuliffe School has the most culturally diverse community in the Cupertino Union School District. Many of our students come from first generation immigrant families. McAuliffe families represent many countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Finland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey.
McAuliffe School’s academic targets are developed in conjunction with CUSD standards and McAuliffe utilizes all CUSD assessments.
At McAuliffe, teachers are constantly assessing students, but they do not call it “grading” or “testing”. McAuliffe teachers use multiple types of informal and formal assessments. McAuliffe teachers do not use letter grades because letter grades are external motivators, causing students to complete their work for the purpose of getting a good grade rather than genuinely learning and understanding the material. McAuliffe students develop an intrinsic motivation for learning – they become interested in topics and want to learn more because it is interesting to them. Their desire to learn comes from a love of learning rather than from wanting to get a good grade.
Writing Assessments are done for students in 1st through 8th grade. McAuliffe teachers use CUSD writing assessments, state writing assessments (CAASPP), and site writing assessments.
Reading Assessments from CUSD, including Rigby Reading Assessments, are used for children in all grades, K-8. Additional tools, such as phonics assessments in the lower grades, are utilized as needed.
Math Assessment: McAuliffe students grades 2 and up participate in the MARS (Mathematics Assessment Resource Service) assessment. In addition, students in 3rd through 8th grades participate in the CAASPP math assessment.
Results: Standardized test scores for McAuliffe students are right in line with overall district scores.
Standardized test scores for McAuliffe students are right in line with overall district scores.
McAuliffe teachers use progress reports to measure children’s progress and development. Progress reports vary according to grade level and are given twice a year, typically in February and June. Throughout their time at McAuliffe, students are assessed not only on their academic knowledge, but also on their social and emotional development, physical well-being, living skills, study skills, listening skills, and speaking skills.
These occur in the Fall and as needed during the year.
Children in all grades have individual conferences with their teachers. In the upper grades (grades 4-5) and middle school (grades 6-8), students participate in student-led conferences where they are taught how to take responsibility for their own progress.
At McAuliffe we educate kids for success in life, not just in high school.
Bob enrolled his son at McAuliffe because of the McAuliffe students he met at Lynbrook. He says,
“McAuliffe students stand out because they are well-rounded students, they ask good questions, and they take learning seriously.”
McAuliffe students have been some of the highest achieving students he has seen. Out of the past eight years that he has given the Red White and Blue Award for math, McAuliffe students have won that award two times. This is saying a lot because Lynbrook High School has received the California Distinguished Schools award five times. This award honors the “exemplary and inspiring” schools across the state.
Crystal was curious about how students do when they leave McAuliffe so she asked the Lynbrook Department Chairs about McAuliffe graduates. Her favorite answer came from the Social Studies Dept. Chair who said that she could always tell which students came from McAuliffe. They were the ones who would always raise their hands, contribute to class discussions, write essays on their own, and have their own thoughts. Crystal also states that McAuliffe students are not motivated by grades but have a sincere desire to learn and understand the material being taught. Because she has kept in touch with many students, Crystal knows about their grades and reports that McAuliffe graduates are doing just fine and are well prepared for high school.
Founded in 1971, Christa McAuliffe School is an alternative program offered by the Cupertino Union School District. It is not a charter school. The Cupertino Union School District’s Board of Education is committed to offering parents residing in the district a choice of schools in which to enroll their children, and to providing parents diverse educational options from which they may select a program that best meets their child’s needs. McAuliffe abides by the district’s standards, and offers services and support offered by other schools in the district.
Details about parent aiding at Christa McAuliffe School can be found in the Parent Participation FAQ
