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About Us:
Mission and Philosophy
Mission
The mission of Realms of Inquiry is to successfully maximize the growth of very bright and gifted, independent-thinking individuals.
Realms of Inquiry is a school for bright and gifted students. At Realms, an
environment is created that celebrates all that students bring with them: big
thinking, curiosity, creativity, and playfulness. Our purpose is to identify
students’ gifts and support and nourish them as they develop in positive
ways.
Recognizing the importance of the whole person, Realms supports students' cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual growth. We seek to challenge and excite students in a wide variety of intellectual pursuits. We nurture uniqueness and individuality while also encouraging ethical behavior.
Learning at Realms extends into the community and the world. In these experiences, we expect students to accept responsibility for their gifts, and develop self-discipline, common sense and leadership. Our mission is to prepare students to make their own contribution to the world and to do so with confidence, integrity, and compassion.
School Philosophy
We have found that when students are trained to assume responsibility for, and are allowed at least partial control over their own learning, several things happen: they become progressively more committed to education, they internalize motivation, and they frequently surprise themselves with how satisfying learning can be. Also, they will more willingly expose themselves to new areas of learning because they have confidence that they can succeed. The sense of growing self-confidence and long-term commitment to learning is apparent in our students.
A Realms student develops confidence through strong drama, music and art programs, and through a unique Outdoor Program that exposes students to a wide variety of skills and activities including backpacking, mountain biking, caving, and wilderness skills. These activities are experienced fully by the Upper School (Grades 9- 12) and in Grades K-8 as the students are ready.
Our curriculum is based on the Utah Office of Education Core Curriculum Guide and includes all core subjects as well as a foreign language. It also includes the flexibility to work with a teacher-mentor in the areas of the students’ interests.
Realms of Inquiry is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. It received its first accreditation status in l982.
The Realms of Inquiry Credo
- Teachers are facilitators of learning rather than directors.
- Students are encouraged to focus on their strengths, and learn from their weaknesses.
- Children are best motivated by guided choices.
- Children should be producers of knowledge rather than solely receivers of information.
- Children are internally motivated to learn by producing for a viable audience.
- The real world is the best classroom.
- Goal setting and self evaluation encourage motivation and growth.
- Students are allowed to proceed at their own academic pace, but are encouraged to strive to realize their potential.
- Learning is a cooperative adventure not a competitive struggle.
- Student to student mentoring facilitates learning for both individuals.
- Learning should involve exploration, be relevant, and encompass the interests of the student.
- Risk taking is viewed as a means of learning. The only failure is not trying.
- Learning is a source of personal empowerment and always results in behavioral change.
- Affirmation of self worth in learners is critical for spiritual and intellectual growth.
- Experiencing beauty and goodness develops a sense of peace.
- Activities such as the arts, drama, mountain climbing, caving, backpacking and other challenging outdoor experiences increase confidence and trust.
- By serving others, a student learns to love.
- The school should support the home on teaching virtues such as self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, work, perseverance, and honesty. These are best taught by example and best learned though experience.
1140 South 900 East Salt Lake City, UT 84105 (801)467-5911
Copyright © Realms of Inquiry 2004
