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“LEARNING IS DRIVEN BY THE NEED TO KNOW AND THE THRILL THAT EMERGES IN SHARING AND DEBATING IDEAS. TOGETHER IN DIALOGUE, WE ENRICH EACH OTHERS’ LIVES.”
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Voyagers’ Community School ...
Choosing Voyagers’ Community School
provides an unrivaled intellectual atmosphere, built on a strong progressive foundation, for infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, elementary and high school children. Future-facing and adjusting to the interests of our children, we are adept and nimble.
We know that choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family will make. At Voyagers’ Community School, we believe that each parent’s investment in their child’s future is one of the best investments that can be made.
Our highly skilled and dynamic staff, together with our innovative and lively curriculum, ensure our students emerge as industrious leaders and visionaries in their fields. Graduates of Voyagers’ join the ranks of our many alumni at specialized vocational schools, vibrant colleges, and storied universities across both the country and the world.
Since our inception, families have invested in a Voyagers’
Voyagers’ Community School is a place…
Instills a sense of responsibility
• where a child can grow and learn as a whole person.
Prepares students for everyday challenges
• where children can develop thinking and working attitudes that empower them to take over their own growth. • that honors and encourages children’s vision, tenacity, initiative, imagination, generosity, and exploration. • that is defined by the bounding level of excitement, enthusiasm, creativity, ingenuity, inquisitiveness and individual and community satisfaction. • that invokes vibrancy and trust among children and adults alike.
education because they know that the school: Fosters confidence Stimulates creativity Nurtures intellectual curiosity Inspires critical thinking skills Promotes habits of mindfulness and values that endure
Our mission is to foster the natural joy of learning within people while empowering members of the school community to develop personal responsibility and the confidence to create the lives they want for themselves as global citizens.
• where children can find their voice and participate in a democratic community. • where learning is defined by no one and by everyone. LEARN MORE AT VOYAGERSCOMMUNITYSCHOOL.ORG
Infant Program
“WHEN INFANTS RECEIVE CARE AND ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS, THE PATH TO EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY IS ILLUMINATED.”
Babies begin to explore the world and the people around them from the moment they are born. A newborn’s brain is wired at birth to begin paying attention to the things that will get them through each day of life; they stare longer at faces, pay close attention to voices, and react to smells. The inborn drive to learn continues and expands as infants grow. Infants are increasingly active, motivated learners who have their own curriculum. The availability of multisensory materials, along with the teacher’s gentle guidance, facilitates each child’s inquiries and investigations.
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Toddler Program
As infants move into toddlerhood, they are more mobile and rapidly growing in their language development. Small “conversations” are taking place among the group, and they are experiencing the broader world in a whole new way. Now that they are upright and walking, they experience life from a new perspective. Imagine what a difference this makes for these little ones, as they explore and carry on their investigations! They are interpreters, inventors, and idea makers, and always on the go. Each day theories and principles of constructivism, social constructivism, and the highly regarded Reggio Emilia Approach inspire our faculty and staff. The Toddler Room is filled with activity. Children join in song, stories, discussions, investigations, discovery, and play. They get to know one another, learn to work together, constructively resolve conflicts, and grow. Toddlers are seen as children with interests, ideas, and rights. Our educators view each child as a source of inspiration and delight.
“PLAYING INDOORS AND OUTSIDE, WITH NATURAL MATERIALS PROVIDES FIRST-HAND HOW THINGS WORK.” LEARN MORE AT VOYAGERSCOMMUNITYSCHOOL.ORG
Pre-Kindergarten
“WE PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE THE EXPLORATION OF IDEAS, INVESTIGATION, AND SATISFYING INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS, IN PLAY.” Our Pre-Kindergarten teachers are partners, nurturers, guides, and researchers alongside our 3-5 year olds. Each child is seen as co-constructors of knowledge. Preschoolers are offered experiences from which they can develop their own meaning through exploration and discovery. The availability of materials, along with the teacher’s gentle guidance, encourage these children in their inquiries and investigations. In our Reggio Emilia inspired Pre-Kindergarten program no day is the same as another.
The co-construction of knowledge in our
Pre-Kindergarten class room leads to a sense of community. Children take part in community life activities through: Whole school recess
Museum days
Caring for the classroom
Tending to living things
These activities help children develop practical and social skills that enable them to be capable and self-reliant alongside their classmates. Relationships are important both with other children and with adults. LEARN MORE AT VOYAGERSCOMMUNITYSCHOOL.ORG
Lower School K - 6th Grade
“TEACHERS ENSURE THESE CHILDREN ARE OFFERED THE BROADEST EXPERIENCES, WITH A CURRICULUM THAT FOCUSES ON LEARNING THROUGH STUDENTS’ INTERESTS.”
“TOGETHER, INDIVIDUALLY AND THROUGH CROSS-CURRICULAR EXPERIENCES, CHILDREN DEVELOP SKILLS IN PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND ANALYTICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING” Voyagers’ elementary-years curriculum is designed so all traditional subjects are integrated. Children in our kindergarten through sixth grade rely on their reading, writing, and analytic skills to apply and construct a deeper understanding across all studies. They use symbolic languages to communicate their theories, feelings, and understandings. These children develop a sense of independence, and the confidence to solve problems and even take risks. They begin to show a capacity for self-evaluation. In these classrooms, reciprocal relationships exist among people, ideas, and the natural and built world. There is a merging of content and skills across all academic and intellectual disciplines. As students move on from our kindergarten to second-grade classroom to our third through sixth-grade classroom they demonstrate increasing interest in everything. They are builders, sculptors, computer scientists, and academics. They are hands-on, experiential learners, interacting with materials and curriculum by fully investing themselves. They are ready to collaborate and better understand sharing leadership, negotiating, and accepting the ideas and work of their peers. They want to know how the world and things in it work. They are quite inquisitive. Children move through our elementary curriculum learning to record their observations digitally and in writing and research using primary sources. They discover that truth through discernment is a powerful tool for their learning, and the foundations of their education. These children play an important role in the design of their intellectual experiences.
The Curriculum Traditional academics are offered in our Reggio-Inspired, project-based classroom with educational standards and students’ interests in mind. Our comprehensive curriculum inspires children to learn together with their teachers at a deep and meaningful level. Our small class size enables teachers to guide and inspire students to learn more about what interests them. Children’s inquisitive nature is recognized and encouraged. In these multi-age classrooms, they actively participate in the learning process. This involves collaboration, shared experiences, and in-depth and comprehensive effort. The outcome is typically unique projects inspired by the interests of the students. Students develop a rich understanding of the topics they investigate. Voyagers’ curriculum is designed so all subjects are integrated. Science, for example, is connected to writing, and cooking is connected to math. Children continue to use a variety of symbolic languages to communicate their ideas and feelings as they construct meaning across all subjects. Qualified teachers ensure children are offered the broadest Kindergarten through 2nd-grade experiences in expected content areas blended for the deepest experiences: Literacy • Mathematics • Science • Global Studies • Foreign Language Specialty And Classroom Teachers Also Offer: •
Art
•
Computer Science
•
Dramatic Play
•
Music
•
Physical Education
•
Sign Language
•
Technology in our STEAM Lab
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Building Relationships Children at this age, with greater confidence, understand abstract ideas, not just those things which can be observed. They organize their thoughts and plan their investigations. They begin to separate facts from opinions and develop meaningful peer friendships, which aids in their social and emotional unfolding. These children waiver between independence and a sense of maturity, and a desire to remain young and cared for. The youngest children in this group are often the doers and frequently take on more than they can handle, as the oldest exude confidence while facing more internal questions and self doubt. Who their friends are and what peers think is increasingly important. They are often excited about what they are learning as well as, for some, developing anxiety. They feel both thrilled and overwhelmed as they grow older.
“OUR TEACHERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN LISTENING, REASSURING, AND SUPPORTING THE NEW INDIVIDUAL WHO EMERGES OVER THESE YEARS.”
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Outdoor School Grades 6th-8th INTEREST, INVESTIGATION, QUESTIONS, INQUIRY, RESEARCH, “CHILDREN TAKE PART IN THE ENTIRE CYCLE OF LEARNING: DIALOGUE, CONNECTIONS, REFLECTIONS, EXPRESSION… INTEREST”
“THIS IS A TIME OF PERSONAL, ACADEMIC, AND WORLDLY DISCOVERY. THESE CHILDREN BEGIN TO KNOW THEMSELVES; THEIR CONFIDENCE REACHES NEW HEIGHTS AND THEY REALIZE HOW MUCH THERE IS TO LEARN.”
In the middle school years, grades 6-8, students are increasingly aware of their talents and interests and show a higher level of critical thinking.
An Emergent Nature-Based Learning Environment Our Outdoor School, created to facilitate students’ learning and personal growth and development, is key to our success with middle school children. By venturing outdoors in the natural world, these children are able to witness first-hand how our local environment is constantly changing and impacting our surroundings in significant ways. While relying on a scientific and hands-on approach to learning, students increasingly understand how the human connection to nature has changed throughout history.
The Curriculum Voyagers’ curriculum continues to interweave and integrate subject matter. Children in these grades rely on their reading, writing and analytic skills to apply and construct a deeper understanding across all subject areas. They continue to use symbolic languages to communicate their theories, feelings, and understandings. These children develop a sense of independence, and the confidence to solve problems and perhaps even take risks. They begin to show a capacity for self-evaluation. In this classroom, reciprocal relationships exist among people, ideas, and the natural and built world. There is a merging of content and skills across all academic and intellectual disciplines. Literacy • Mathematics • Science • Global Studies • Foreign Language
Research shows that learning outside of the classroom, through skilled teaching and facilitation, provides a more direct and motivating experience. Outdoor learning becomes a gateway to active thinking and problem-solving, as well as cooperative interactions.
Specialty And Classroom Teachers Also Offer:
By broadening horizons and stimulating new interests, students discover their potential. Inspiring students to cross traditional boundaries, and learn from personal experiences, is what our middle school classroom and our Outdoor School lab are all about.
A Unique Learning Experience For about 10 hours each week, the faculty and students enjoy hikes, boating, fishing, orienteering, animal, plant and insect observation and examination, and environmental and history studies. Our middle school students study traditional content in Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Global Studies in the woods. The learning continues when they return from their outdoor lab to their classroom.
• Art
•
Computer Science
• Dramatic Play
•
Music
• Physical Education
•
Sign Language
• Technology
•
Technology in our STEAM Lab
Progressing As children progress their work demands greater independence in both thought and personal responsibilities. More emphasis is placed on developing abstract thinking skills. Teachers create activities in which children form an opinion and defend it in written and oral presentations, see the cause and effect of a historical event, and predict an outcome for a similar situation today. When children move on to our high school, they understand how to pursue their curiosity about life, and they have confidence to do so. Our 8th-grade graduates become active members of the high school community and of the world at large.
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High School
“WE BELIEVE THESE STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM, AGENCY, AND A SAY IN THEIR EDUCATION.
In our high school, we offer Socratic Seminar and experiential, project-driven learning and provide a solid intellectual foundation for adolescents. Our high school students are asked not only to consider what to do but moreover to think on their own and ask why. These young adults are offered an active role in their intellectual and social learning.
Humanities
The Curriculum
Mathematics
We teach traditional academics but in non-traditional ways. We rely on an interwoven approach to studying. We promote personal initiative and adaptability, and engage all aspects of a student’s development, not just the academics. We possess respect for the individual student and the reward of participation in a learning community. This approach set the stage for collaboration, inspiration, and forward-thinking intelligence. Throughout these years, greater demand is placed on accountability and a higher level of expertise across subjects. Working alongside of and with fellow students on projects, they gain a foundational sense of responsibility.
“VOYAGERS’ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO CREATE THE SOLUTIONS THAT OUR CONSTANTLY CHANGING WORLD SO DESPERATELY NEEDS!”
Global Studies Literacy Sociology Anthropology Economics Geography History
Political Science and Law Psychology
Social & Cultural Sciences Algebra I and II Geometry
Calculus Precalculus
Finance and Business Math
Lab Sciences
Biology Chemistry in Life Forensics Physics
Environmental
STEM/STEAM
Aeronautics Animation Computer Coding Drawing Electronics Engineering Movie Making Painting Photography Robotics Sculpting Wood Working
World Languages
American Sign Language
French
Japanese
Independent Study
Internships Senior Capstone
Electives and Clubs
These arise from each student’s interests and curiosities and often expand upon STEM/STEAM topics
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Challenging Students Creates Success Higher-order thinking is crucial for college and life success, where knowledge, skills, and perspectives must continuously adapt to our rapidly changing world. Students come to realize that discovery and adventure complement robust academic and social pursuits. Our graduates go on to reputable colleges and universities, into 21st century professions like eGaming and social media marketing, and join traditional trades. They lead lives with confidence, curiosity, and a sense of social justice and citizenship. These young adults possess worldly panache. Our comprehensive high school curriculum ensures students achieve proficiency in our future-facing subjects, build strong character and deep empathy, and forge the meaningful friendships so characteristic of our community. Our College Counseling and Post-Grad services are one of the features that make the experience at Voyagers’ Community School absolutely unrivaled. Through initial meetings with each student and their families beginning in eighth grade, students are formally introduced to a member of our highly qualified College Counseling and Post-Grad advisors. Each and every one of the professionals has a wealth of knowledge they have gathered over the years they have spent studying, advancing, and honing their expertise in the field of college and career counseling.
Students (and their families) are mentored through graduation. Each advisor to become deeply acquainted with the imminent needs, burning passions, exciting hobbies, and lofty goals of every young Skipper. At Voyagers’, we understand that post-high school planning is, at its heart, a truly collaborative process. that allows each student to find the best-fit school for them. Whether it is a storied university, a notable trade school, or anywhere in between, is up to each individual student and their family. This inventive approach, coupled with the ways Voyagers’ prepares our students’ for both far-reaching academic and life success, ensures each and every Voyagers’ Community School graduate is well-equipped to face the challenges of an ever-evolving world.
Alumni One hundred percent of Voyagers’ graduates earn acceptances to four-year colleges and universities year after year, and have, since Voyagers’ inception. Today, 98% of our graduates have successfully matriculated at these colleges, garnering honors and accolades along the way. Proudly, all of our graduates have moved on to productive and satisfying lives that have included starting businesses and product lines, working for Fortune 500 companies, and forging their way into some of the leading tech companies in the country. Many of our Skippers have traveled the world and studied abroad. Several have chosen nontraditional paths driven by their quest to be and do as their spirit tells them. Ultimately, through journeys of Creation & Discovery, adeptly honed Determination & Leadership skills, and a deeply ingrained talent for Innovation & Investigation, our many graduates near and far are proud to join the ranks of our distinguished Voyagers’ Alumni.
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“TOGETHER, OUR ALUMNI CONTINUE TO DO WHAT EACH AND EVERY VOYAGERS’ COMMUNITY SCHOOL STUDENT IS SCULPTED TO DO: CHANGE THE WORLD.”
Begin your Voyage at VoyagersCommunitySchool.org
(732) 842-1660 admissions@voyagerscommunityschool.org 215 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724, Monmouth County CONNECT
@VOYAGERSNJ