The primary/intermediate multiage structure is the foundation of Helen Herr
Elementary. This carefully-planned student structure creates a staff that
encourages diversity and flexibility, and focuses on individual student growth.
The structure provides time needed for professional staff to get to know their
students in a meaningful way that allows opportunity for maximum student
growth and realization of individual potential. This structure evolved from a
philosophy that students educated in an atmosphere that encourages their
potential will become involved citizens in their democratic society and global
community. 
 




The Helen Herr philosophy influences the practices we use in our classrooms.
We believe in the following:
 
       Diversity of populace 
       Continuous academic progress over time 
       Multi-age structure which mirrors society 
       Opportunity for every child to experience success and leadership 
       Depth of study and understanding rather than surface coverage of curriculum 
 
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following content-specific practices:
 
       Integrated curriculum 
       Thematic curriculum (both topical and concept-based) 
       Experienced-based learning 
       Inquiry/discovery learning 
       Holistic instruction 
       Appropriate sequencing of skills instruction 
       Student choices within curriculum 
 
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following cognitive practices:
 
       Multiple modality strategies, i.e. visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile 
       Multiple intelligence strategies, i.e. spatial, musical, linguistic, intra
       personal,interpersonal, natural awareness, etc. 
       Opportunities to construct ones own knowledge from experience and
       study/interaction 
       Developmentally appropriate strategies 
       Higher-level questioning 
       Metacognition, i.e. reflection, explaining thought processes 
       Advanced organizers, i.e. graphic organizers, mind maps, KWL, webs 
       Repetition and rehearsal of knowledge for transference to long-term memory 
       Stimulating, safe environment 
 
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following assessment practices:
 
       Diagnostic 
       Prescriptive 
       Authentic, i.e. reflective, individually-based, student-centered 
       metacognitive 
 
Helen Herr fosters and promotes the following social practices:
 
       Flexible, homogeneous and heterogeneous groupings for exploration and learning 
       Collaboration among learners 
       "Family" bonding to increase a secure and safe environment 





The Helen Herr staff is constantly and continuously reflecting on the how and
why of what we do each day. We are an inquiry - based school creating
decisions grounded on our own learning and experience. We are life-long
learners facilitating another generation of life-long learners.