McCarthy-Towne is a community of learners in which children, teachers and families work cooperatively to encourage individual growth and success in a changing world. Children are given the responsibility for learning independently, solving problems and making decisions. They are encouraged to take risks and are acknowledged for their unique talents, skills and ideas.

Teachers and parents are expected to be part of the decision making process for running the school and exploring new possibilities. They readily try new things and risk failure in order to achieve improvements. They want the school's environment to be welcoming, friendly, and safe in a structure that is informal, yet orderly and clear. The environment is designed to value risk taking, collaboration, persistence, flexibility and trust.

Everyone at McCarthy-Towne is considered both a student and a teacher. Integrated curricula and thematic approaches stress cooperation, active participation, and experimentation. Asking questions is considered as important as giving answers; there may be many correct answers. Students' individual needs, personal strengths and learning styles are always supported. Students and parents may share instructional roles with teacherd, and all are learning from what occurs in and out of the classroom.

Observation of Important Practices

At McCarthy-Towne, we believe that all work is valuable. Different types of students' work are displayed everywhere throughout the school. The displays show that students' work, whether in process or completed, is important. This work is displayed so as to be easily viewed and participated in by other students.

Students exhibit knowledge about, and pride in, the work they are doing.
Students show that they care about themselves and others.
Teachers emphasize activities and experiences that promote a careful thought process.