Trust

Evidence of trust is found in the open dialogue during faculty meetings, the expectation that faculty will chair and participate in decision making committees, the parents' trust in the school's ability to allocate funds raised, and the Central Office support of school choice and school-based decision making.

Joint Decision-Making

At McCarthy-Towne there is joint decision-making. The principal and the faculty act as a cohesive unit which each person, including the principal, has one vote. Under this model, the faculty is responsible for the governance of the school, and the role of the principal is that of facilitator. There is a decision-making document that outlines these procedures.

Visual Arts Integration

The visual arts are core to the McCarthy-Towne curriculum. Art is viewed as a form of problem solving, and as a way for students to derive meaning from and express their understanding of the curriculum. Art is an active process. Use of high-quality materials speaks to the value that the McCarthy-Towne community places on the process of learning through the visual arts.

Process

Teachers and students value the process of learning. Student work is on display in the classrooms and throughout the school; teachers and students discuss the ongoing process of learning regularly. Student assessment and evaluation are embedded in the daily activities of the classroom. Teachers use different types of assessment to monitor growth and skill levels. In the process of learning, students work collaboratively to share ideas and strategies.

Innovation

The faculty sees this value as the positive side of risk-taking. Students and teachers feel secure and safe enough to take learning risks. Students are not afraid to voice an opinion and are encouraged to share novel and unorthodox ideas. McCarthy-Towne dicsourages competition through awards, grades and contests within the school in order to create a safe environment for students to set individual goals. Teachers spend time and energy creating an inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and collaboration.

Community

McCarthy-Towne's source of strength is its community of teachers, staff, students and parents. Parents share the school values, support teacher decisions and trust teachers. Parents are welcome in the school and classrooms, and are vital to ongoing programs. McCarthy-Towne fosters community through cross-grade level programs and projects. All members of the McCarthy-Towne community are valued and are an integral part of the school.