How We Teach

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Our educational philosophy is simple. Students learn best by doing, and our teaching team applies a variety of proven techniques to ensure that students are active participants in their own learning each and every day.

- All of our students participate in inquiry-driven learning activities where their own curiosity and enthusiasm act as catalysts. 

- We apply the well-respected "Harkness Method" during our class discussions to put students in control of the conversation. 

- Students learn to ask questions and discover their own answers under the guidance of our IB-trained teaching staff. 

- Our program encourages students to develop the character traits central to the IB Learner Profile and develop a lifelong love of learning.

The Harkness Method is a teaching and learning method involving students seated in a large, oval configuration to discuss ideas in an encouraging, open-minded environment with only minimal external intervention. The teacher serves as a guide to frame the conversation, and participates more as a colleague than as head of the classroom during the discussion. Students take ownership of their own learning, and come prepared to engage in the conversation.

By contrast, the Traditional Model of education involves the teacher speaking at the students, with minimal interaction amongst students.  When compared to the Traditional Model, the Harkness Method allows students to develop higher-order thinking and reasoning skills, and learn to work collaboratively in a group setting.

The Harkness Method relies on small classroom sizes to allow students to meaningfully and consistently participate during each discussion session. This creates a tight-knit learning environment, where students feel safe to take academic risks, and learn to work collaboratively in a group setting.

Stanford University Undergraduate

"The Harkness Method played a significant role in honing my ability to communicate with my professors and classmates. To be able to interact while facing each other was important in creating a more comfortable and collaborative environment."

UC Berkeley Undergraduate

"As I am learning now, college courses itself are far more independent than high school courses, and I think the Harkness model was a beneficial way of letting students be more independent by discussing among themselves rather than through teacher intervention."

University of San Diego Undergraduate

"The Harkness Model encouraged me as a student to take the lead in the learning process by engaging with the material. Having thoughtful discussions with my classmates and formulating my ideas aloud helped me to better understand difficult concepts."