Ventana School

Mission

Ventana is a school that values innovation and tradition. We educate the whole child: intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually. We inspire children to have an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and persevere, and the gift of joy and wonder in the ever-changing world. We nurture a community in which creativity, imagination, and the spirit of learning thrive.

Philosophy

“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning how to learn.” - Lori Malaguzzi (founder of the Reggio Emilia method)

Ventana School takes its inspiration from the early childhood education centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy. We seek to foster a learning community of children, families, and teachers who place listening and relationships at the heart of their work. Consistent with Vygotsky’s social-cultural philosophy, learning is a joint venture between students and teachers at Ventana who come together in an active process of inquiring and sense-making. While skill building and content areas are intentionally embedded in the experiential curriculum at Ventana, the topics for investigation and inquiry emerge from the children’s interests and experience. Teachers play close attention to children's interest and prepare experiences and environments to engage and provoke thinking, curiosity, and imagination. In-depth study and project work emerge from this tapestry of children's ideas and teacher invitations and provocations.

We aim for our children to develop a passion and commitment for life-long learning. When they experience themselves as creators engaged in inquiry and critical thinking, they are students motivated from within. At Ventana, children learn their ideas are often enhanced by collaboration, tested by negotiation, and given clear voice by presentation. Creative problem solving begins with children valuing differences and gaining new insights. We feel children who are nurtured in this manner to think, inquire, and invent, become listeners, negotiators, and leaders.