Choosing The Family Matters School
The Family Matters School may be a fit for you and your child if you are interested in:
- Small class sizes (12:1 child:teacher ratio)
- Opportunities to learn through real-world experiences
- Dedication to social-emotional learning
Our Approach
We believe that the goal of education is to fuel the innate desire to learn by offering engaging, cooperative, and meaningful experiences. At The Family Matters School, we
- encourage curiosity,
- give freedom to explore questions, and
- realize the power in gaining knowledge.
This approach equips youth to view the world as a place of opportunity where change is possible. Through a deep commitment to social-emotional support, The Family Matters School invites children to become courageous learners who understand that they grow by trying new things, experimenting, and making mistakes.
Our Classroom
The Family Matters School offers instruction for the pre-Kindergarteners (four years old by the start of school) through 3rd grade in two blended-grade classrooms with a maximum enrollment of 12 children per classroom.
Downstairs classroom: Kindergarten and 1st grade
Upstairs classroom: 2nd grade and 3rd grade
We find that blended classrooms support children as they learn at their own pace, regardless of age or traditional grade placement, and offer important opportunities for peer leadership.
Each classroom is led by an experienced Lead Teacher, with at least one paraprofessional per room.
- Colorful, welcoming spaces
- Emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and individualized lesson plans
- Flexible schedules to incorporate movement, group activities, and learning based on children’s interests
Our Commitments
Commitment to Diversity
We believe that it is critical to ask questions and to communicate openly about issues in our neighborhood, city, and the larger world. This means freedom to discuss the topics of race, gender, socio-economics, faith, and other aspects of identity as they arise. Teachers and staff work intentionally to avoid stereotypes and take an anti-bias approach. The learning community at Family Matters is a safe place for discussions where:
- all voices are equally valued and respected.
- all people have the right to express who they are and what they believe while respecting other people’s rights to express and hold different beliefs.
- empathy and understanding are cultivated.
Commitment to Social-Emotional Well-Being
At The Family Matters School, we believe that social-emotional health is as important as academic or critical-thinking skills. In order to use our intellect to its fullest, it is essential to know how to communicate and interact with others in the world. Likewise, it is essential to have an understanding and appreciation for ourselves as individuals. Reflecting on our interactions with others and developing the ability to communicate honestly, directly, and free of blame, shame, judgment, ridicule, and fear are woven into our learning environment. We use the Family Matters Principles of Leadership as our guiding philosophy for social-emotional learning.
Daily Schedule and Learning Components
Arrival and Dismissal
At The Family Matters School, we invite parents to talk with other parents and staff team members before the school day structure begins and after school ends.
Daily schedule, Monday-Friday:
- 8:30-8:50 a.m. Arrival; hot breakfast is served
- 9:00 a.m. Classroom instruction begins
- 3:15 p.m. Classroom instruction ends
- 3:15-3:30 p.m. Dismissal: free time until pickup
Curriculum
Children enrolled in The Family Matters School will master competencies laid out by the Illinois State Board of Education in math, reading, science, and social studies. Learning is offered through engaging activities, including:
- Read-alouds from a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and news materials
- Hands-on activities and experiments
- Art, science, and technology projects
- Real-world situations
- Exploration of global cultures
The School creates space for independent work at learning centers and offers supplemental support through one-to-one sessions with specialized educators.
Choice Time
Offering time for self-selected activities gives children ownership of how they spend their time. Short breaks of 10-15 minutes allow the children to determine their immediate needs. One child may decide to relax on some pillows or with a book while another child may choose to participate in movement to expend pent-up energy. Within each classroom, there are a variety of activities available for longer choice times, including dramatic play, building materials, art materials, books, and other activities recommended by the class.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
We devote time for “check-ins” at multiple points during the day, providing opportunities for the children to voice concerns, share joys, and discuss ways to work and play cooperatively. These moments build communication skills and test strategies for constructive conflict resolution that strengthen the community and deepen relationships.
We incorporate developmentally appropriate lessons in Family Matters’ Principles of Leadership so that children may practice forward-looking thinking and language, peaceful conflict resolution, and thoughtful decision-making.
Enrollment Information
Annual tuition is based on a sliding scale and families have the opportunity to discuss a different agreement based on individual circumstances. Discounts are offered to families enrolling more than one child. Tuition may be paid in a lump sum, by semester, or monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does TFMS team teaching approach work?
TFMS is committed to providing a team teaching approach with our learners. In building the teaching team, we look for a balance of voices that includes teachers of different backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, languages, and experiences. The Lead Teacher facilitates the major flow of the day and other team members support segments of the day such as literacy, math, STEM Lab, Spanish Lab, inquiry, and arts activities.
How will my child be assessed?
TFMS provides youth feedback on their work and encourages learners to continue with a task until they master it. We avoid grades and instead offer constructive comments. We encourage youth to name the value in their own work. We use Teaching Strategies Gold and the Phonemic Awareness and Literacy Screening to formally document a learner’s progress. At the end of each semester we offer families a report on their child’s learning.
Will my child get physical education and arts education opportunities?
TFMS offers a variety of movement and arts activities woven into the fabric of our everyday routine. The approach we take to literacy, math and inquiry all involve the arts, movement, and emotional well-being. Additionally, artists work with the class on a regular basis, some weekly and some monthly, in the areas of movement, music and drama.
What happens when my child finishes at TFMS?
TFMS team will assist families in finding a match-fit school for their children when they graduate. The foundational experiences children receive at TFMS will equip them to adapt to a new environment.
How does the multi-age classroom work?
Children develop in ways that are complex, uneven, and unique. Multi-age classrooms allow children to stay with the same teacher and learning cohort over time. This offers an extended opportunity for the teacher to monitor and support skill development and design increasingly complex learning experiences for learners. This approach allows older children to be mentors to support and model for their younger classmates.
