OCS teacher to student ratio 1:14
Teaching Values
Our children develop confidence through both academic and creative achievement.
We know that when children explore and develop skills in a way that is personally relevant to them, they better learn to value their own perceptions. Our students become self-directed in learning and in life. We encourage imagination and creative expression. We believe it is essential in helping children to reach their full potential.
There are six core teaching values that guide our philosophy.
Relationship
Children learn best when they are known, trusted and valued, and when their social environment is safe, respectful and inclusive.
Students are explicitly taught techniques for peaceful conflict resolution, beginning with understanding and expressing their needs and hearing the needs of others.
Relevance
Children are motivated to learn more and go deeper when topics are relevant and connected to what they care about—when learning is a tool for exploring and making sense of their world. Children’s belief in themselves as learners grows as they have an opportunity to set goals they care about and solve problems that may seem hard at first.
Students work with teachers to identify personal learning goals. Through managing and presenting their portfolio they come to recognize their growth and increasing skills and abilities.
Discovery
Children learn best through discovery and direct experience – when they are active partners in solving problems, rather than passive recipients of teaching.
Teachers use hands-on, manipulative activities in math which allow children to discover the concepts that underlie a pencil-and-paper procedure.
Creativity
Children develop confidence in their own voice and perspective if they have the opportunity for creative self-expression – in a setting where originality and innovative thinking are honored.
Arts are woven into curriculum in all subject areas. Children have rich and varied experiences with visual arts, drama, movement, and daily community singing.
Leadership
Children learn best when they are known, trusted and valued, and when their social environment is safe, respectful and inclusive.
Every Friday children teach workshops to small groups of other children of all ages—how to make a pinch pot, how to make tortillas, all about turtles—learning from and teaching their peers.
Inclusiveness
We emphasize an inclusive community where each member feels welcome and valued, because a nurturing and protective environment allows children to take educational and social risks.
Students begin each year with a discussion of social norms, resulting in resolution to follow a shared and mutually agreeable social contract.
Curriculum
We strive to identify and meet the unique educational needs of each child.
Students are given the opportunity to learn at their own level. Our low teacher to student ratio fosters deeper connections and allows teachers to meet the learning needs of each student.
Students establish self identified S.M.A.R.T learning goals with guidance from the teachers, and these goals are routinely visited and modified as needed. We adhere to the standards set by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Below, view an example of the daily schedule at OCS.
Math
Math instruction follows the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) model, a research-based approach that supports deep understanding of mathematical concepts. New concepts are first introduced using concrete, hands-on methods, such as manipulatives, objects, or physical models. This stage allows students to explore and build a solid foundation for understanding through tangible experiences.
Once students have developed a strong grasp of the concept at the concrete level, they transition to the representational stage. Here, they use drawings, diagrams, or visual models to represent their thinking. This step bridges the gap between the concrete materials and more abstract mathematical processes, reinforcing their understanding and helping them visualize the problem.
Finally, students move to the abstract stage, where they apply their knowledge using symbols, numbers, and equations. By this point, they are equipped to approach mathematical problems confidently and independently. Throughout this process, problem-solving activities are integrated to encourage critical thinking, application of skills, and real-world connections.
This structured progression ensures students not only understand the "how" of mathematics but also the "why," fostering a deeper comprehension and long-term success in math.
Literacy
Language Arts instruction is designed to align with the science of reading, emphasizing evidence-based practices to develop strong foundational literacy skills. Children engage in a variety of structured activities tailored to their individual needs. Small group instruction focuses on explicit phonics lessons, fluency practice, and comprehension strategies. Students also rotate through carefully designed literacy centers that reinforce phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary development, and independent reading.
Reading is taught using a systematic phonics approach combined with opportunities to apply these skills in meaningful reading of both fiction and non-fiction texts. From the start, children are introduced to high-quality, diverse texts that build knowledge and vocabulary. Assessment tools, such as Developmental Spelling Analysis and DIEBLS, are used to evaluate phonics skills, decoding ability, and spelling patterns, allowing for precise grouping and targeted instruction. These assessments inform differentiated learning in phonics, spelling, and reading fluency for all students.
Students are guided in selecting "just right" books that match their reading level and support their growth as readers. As they progress, children transition to small-group book discussions, resembling book clubs, which build deeper comprehension skills. Texts are read collaboratively and independently, encouraging practices such as predicting, questioning, clarifying, summarizing, and analyzing.
Writing instruction is integrated into Language Arts, supporting literacy development by teaching students how to express ideas clearly and creatively. Activities such as Writing Workshop focus on writing conventions, sentence structure, and genres like poetry, personal narratives, and informational writing. This comprehensive approach ensures that children develop the skills necessary for reading and writing success while fostering a lifelong love for literacy.
Thematic Learning
With each new school year, there is a new theme. In September, students are asked to share what they would like to learn about. These responses are used by the teachers to select the year's theme.
Social Studies and Science curriculum are incorporated into our yearly theme. Past themes have included: “Where the Wind Blows,” “Our Living Earth, and “Bodies in Motion” Children’s emerging academic skills and creativity are exercised through a series of open-ended projects where children explore, manipulate and represent knowledge. For example, Our Living Earth projects included breaking geodes, reports on burrowing animals, crafting islands using various topological features, and using the scientific method to make predictions about the world around them.
Themes are common to the whole school, allowing for students of all ages to interact, while specific activities and concepts are presented at different and developmentally appropriate levels within classes.
Enrichment
OCS offers various enrichment extracurricular activities on Wednesday afternoons. These classes are taught by support staff, parent volunteers, or local community members. This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to engage in fun and exciting learning experiences. Some examples of previous & past enrichment activities include: Spanish, Creative Science, Music, Movement, Tae Kwon Do, Ceramics, and much more!
Workshops and Field Trips
Starting in the Spring, Jeriann's and Lauren's classes begin workshops. Once a week, a student will select something that they are passionate about to teach their classmates. It's a wonderful way of creating connections and sharing each student's knowledge and interests. This also helps students learn how to create and execute a small lesson plan with their peers.
We, as a whole school, venture out on field trips to enforce learning concepts and enrich the educational experience. The destinations are typically rooted within our theme for the year. We also participate in community service field trips that demonstrate the value of serving the needs of others and shapes our students to become compassionate citizens. The entire school, with parent volunteers, will help pack food bags at our local food bank for those in need. OCS participates in this community service 3 times throughout the school year.
Kids Club
Care before and after school.
At Olympia Community School, our instructional day runs from 9-3 pm. Our community has diverse schedules: some have two parents working outside the home, others are single parents, still others work hours that overlap with our school day. To provide flexibility for parents and additional enriching experiences for students, we offer a before and after school club.
Before care begins at 7:30 am, and after care runs until 5:30 pm. This service is an additional charge, more information about tuition and the program can be found here.