Sun River – an independent and innovative learning community
At Sun River we believe in nurturing the whole child by offering educational experiences that encourage the integration of body, mind, heart, and spirit.
With a focus on academics through nature based programs, the arts, emotional and social literacy and developing creative and sustainable communities, we inspire our students to have a love of learning, a healthy sense of self and to become socially responsible innovative thinkers.
Our educational experiences are designed to integrate academics into the creative disciplines by creating opportunities for the practical application of knowledge by combining Math and Music, Chemistry and Art, Science and Farming, Humanities and Drama and so on. Applying academic concepts in daily tasks and integrating common foundational principals, deepens understanding and makes learning more relevant and meaningful.
At Sun River we value the importance of Social and Emotional Learning, Nature Studies and the Arts. We believe that helping students develop skills in mindfulness practices, non-violent communication, self awareness, leadership, conflict resolution and clarification of ethics and values will allow them to learn and integrate information and experiences more fully and enhance their ability to retain knowledge.
Our Arts and Nature Based Programs help teens strengthen their connections with themselves, others and the earth. The natural environment becomes the classroom where opportunities for place based learning are abundant. We facilitate these connections in a variety of creative ways that build social and cultural resiliency and community. Through the Arts and Nature we provide opportunities for the individual and collective expression of teens. These programs are designed as pathways to wholeness, self-knowledge and self expression as well as critical thinking and flexible cognitive skills.
Sun River’s integrative approach prepares young adults to actively participate in their communities and the world at large in a manner that is authentic, empowered and in alignment with personal values. The greatest resource in times of change is our ability to think creatively and generate ideas that have both practical and visionary applications. With this in mind, Sun River graduates will develop competency in the 4 C’s of the 21st Century skillset: Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creative innovation.
Fundamentally, Sun River seeks to foster the growth of our youth–young people who are committed to democratic principles and who value the challenges and rewards of participating as engaged citizens. Our goal is to help foster kind and caring communities rooted in an understanding of ethics and values. Our students have continuous opportunities to develop a deep knowledge of themselves, their surroundings, and their goals. They also have the tools needed to support their future. Our overall objective is to help kids develop a strong inner sense of self through the cultivation of skills and experience. This will guide them throughout their lives to make good choices that are in the service of self, their families and communities and to empower them to live in the fullness of their potential.
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