AHB students experience hands-on, meaningful, project-based
instruction in reading, writing, science, social studies/history,
and mathematics. Our small, mixed-age class sizes and 9:1
student:teacher ratios provide the opportunity for increased
interaction between teachers and students. This allows teachers to
better meet a range of academic needs and to facilitate in-depth,
interactive learning.
Though we do not use standardized tests or textbooks, AHB
does use nationally established academic objectives in math and
language arts meeting and exceeding the standards set forth by the
Texas Education Agency! At AHB, rather than having children simply
memorize information, our teachers work together to create projects
that require the use of specific academic skills. Oral presentation
skills become essential as students prepare for "Portfolios on
Parade" (an AHB event at which kids display the past semester's
projects.) In experiences such as these, learning comes as a result
of a student's enthusiasm and desire to be a part of the
application of new knowledge and skills as opposed to memorization
without perceived purpose. Students come away with true
understanding of concepts, as well as other vital practice with
skills such as teamwork, conflict negotiation, project planning,
etc.
There are certainly things that don't fit into a current
project, that call for additional practice, or which require
memorization (such as math facts.) For this reason, we
balance mixed-ability "project time" with ability grouping for
specific skill instruction in math, spelling (word wall), and
reading. We also provide homework (between 1 and 7 hours per
week, depending on the class) which reinforces important concepts
learned at school or expected as home study.