Desert
Star Community School Vision Statement
The
vision of Desert Star Community School, a Waldorf Inspired
Charter School, is to nurture and inspire a community
of learners through innovative, holistic approaches to
education with the ultimate goal of creating positive
change in the world. Our enriched educational program
enables students to reach their full potential through
Waldorf pedagogy combined with Multiple Intelligences
philosophy, integrated arts curriculum, and multi-cultural
education which encourage excellence and keep education
vibrant and alive in the classroom. Included in our vision
are the following:
A school campus in nature that practices environmental
sustainability and offers students experiential programs
in environmental education. Desert Star School has found
a location where it can grow into its full potential over
time. We envision beautiful natural outdoor play spaces,
classrooms and buildings using natural materials, organic
gardens and animal care for students and families to be
connected with the natural cycles of life. We plan to
using renewable resources like solar energy, gray water
recycling, and composting. Alternative buildings, such
as straw bale structures, would be incorporated into the
school campus so that students can experience and be inspired
by a school living sustainably with the earth.
Programs of intercultural exchange. Desert Star School
is based in Sedona, Arizona, the state with the most Indian
reservations in the United States. Sedona is near to the
Hopi, Navajo, Yavapai and Apache reservations. These tribes
have a rich cultural life and have lived in a harmonious
way with nature for hundreds to thousands of years. We
are creating educational opportunities through partnerships
with youth and elders on the reservations. We also have
an exchange program with Mexico Through providing an experiential
study of world culture, students will be exposed to other
ways of thinking, living and seeing the world so they
may expand their horizons, see life from other perspectives,
and truly become global citizens.
Unique
programs that support the students’ development
of interpersonal intelligence. Emphasis will be placed
on developing communication skills, empathy, respect for
self and others, taking responsibility for one’s
actions, making positive choices, conflict resolution,
cooperation and collaboration skills. There will also
be opportunities to develop intrapersonal intelligence
(knowledge of self) through inner reflection, emotional
awareness and self-esteem enhancement. The school will
develop and adopt social-emotional curriculum methods.
Teachers will be trained and mentored in these methods
so that they can model and teach healthy, respectful and
compassionate ways of relating and problem solving in
the classroom setting.
A
school that is a valuable community resource for continuing
education. The school will sponsor lectures, workshops
and trainings on subjects related to education. These
programs will support the faculty, parents and greater
community in expanding their understanding of education
and human potential. Collaborative community partnerships
will be developed with all other educational organizations
in the area. These partnerships will enrich the community
as well as the school’s programming.
Educational
Mission and Vision
The
mission of Desert Star Community School is to provide
an education that considers the needs of the whole child,
develops the full diversity of human intelligence within
each individual, and instills a life-long love of learning.
Our purpose is to inspire and empower students to reach
their full academic and creative potential so they may
lead fulfilling, purposeful lives and make a positive
contribution to the multi-cultural society and world community
in which they live.
We
believe that true education involves more than just the
intellect; it engages and integrates every aspect of the
person: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social as
well as the creative-imaginative aspects of the self.
It is our conviction that holistic approaches to education
are the key to social and cultural transformation.
We
envision Desert Star graduates as adults who are innovative,
creative thinkers and socially and environmentally responsible
citizens who lead inspirational lives and make the world
a better place for all.
Education
for the Whole Child
We
at Desert Star Community School deeply appreciate your
willingness to listen and learn more about our dream.
We hope it is a dream that you also believe in and in
which you wish to participate. Arizona rates 50th in Education
in the USA. This is at the lowest end of the scale. Desert
Star Community School was formed to address this issue
and provide a needed alternative to the fast growing community
of the greater Sedona region.
Three
years of investigation and research led us to some leading
schools and methodologies that provide solutions to the
issues of what inhibits children’s ability to learn.
Desert Star brings together several proven methodologies
in an innovative way. We incorporate Steiner’s Waldorf
approach to education that uses creative means to engage
the child’s love of learning. We also incorporate
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory that teaches
to the different intelligences in the child. Children
learn in different ways, some of these are : logistic,
linguistic, kinesthetic, rhythmic, spatially oriented,
etc. We teach to all these intelligences and thus engage
and meet students who may normally struggle in traditional
settings.
Students
who may traditionally have been labeled “special
needs” can often thrive with this approach to education.
This is an innovative approach to learning that
needs an opportunity to prove its worth.
We
would like to be one of the first environmentally responsible
public schools and set an example of how schools can inspire
students in a hands on way to live sustainably.
We
believe in teaching understanding of other ways of thinking
and living through our multi-cultural program and hands
on experience of other cultures.
These
programs jointly make our school unique and ground breaking
and we are excited to see Desert Star grow into its full
potential.
Our
goal is to provide a quality school open to all
students regardless of background or handicap, tuition
free. This school will provide a quality academic
education that exceeds state standards. Our focus
is Waldorf pedagogy that uses Multiple Intelligences
methods to reach all children to
assure a successful educational experience.
Students learn Spanish, learn
to play musical instruments and read music, have
in depth art instruction, quality field trips to
enhance their studies, a multicultural program and
a creative approach to teaching that brings instruction
alive in the classroom and creates a love of learning.
Any
donations towards this end will be greatly appreciated
and are tax-deductible. We look forward to partnering
with you to create a worthwhile project. Donations
can be payable to:
Desert Star Community School
P.O. Box 4611
Sedona AZ 86340
You can make a note directing funds to (capital
campaign)
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We
hope you share this vision and that we can partner on
this innovative venture. You can contact Susan Simon at
Desert Star School at (928) 282-0171
