CPE1: Central Park East 1 Elementary School

Enter a room at project time and experience every child engaged in productive activity. Projects evolve over time to allow children to explore, in depth, areas of their own interest. Work is a natural, organic process that allows people to know themselves and to be known by those with whom they work and live. The way children engage materials provides information about their learning process that is then addressed in the core curriculum. Understandings gained by the teacher and the child about that process are helpful in addressing all areas of learning. Projects integrate math, reading, science, research and the arts in a hands-on manner.

Classrooms are print-rich and stocked with age appropriate materials, full libraries, computers, math games, science areas and other resources to support learning.

CPE1's atmosphere is informal and child-centered. All children and adults call each other by their first names. Many teachers are flexible enough to tailor aspects of their curriculum to their students’ interests. The children often generate their own projects that cross curricula. For example, a child might be interested in race cars which could lead to a group making race cars, building a race car track and developing and utilizing skills in budgeting, social studies, math and science.

CPE1 works hard to teach self-discipline and to keep the students engaged. At daily class meetings staff and students discuss ways to solve any problems that arise. When students disrupt the classroom, teachers use a variety of effective, non-punitive strategies to help them calm down and refocus their energies. They may be asked to spend some short amount of time outside of the group, often with another teacher who knows them.