Educational Philosophy at the Marble Hill School

Guiding principles for the school's success The Marble Hill School for International Studies is based on the guiding principles created by the Coalition of Essentials Schools and identified and adopted by the Bronx New Century High Schools Initiative. Our educational vision and philosophy reflect the same principles. As educators and community advocates we are committed to using them as the guiding document for our proposed school.

Ms. Iris D. Zucker, Principal

Our vision for the school is premised not only in the notion that small is better, but also in the understanding that student success is achieved by a combination of four essential elements; curriculum, students, faculty and family. A governance structure was created to oversee these four essential elements and guiding principles.

The governance structure is comprised of four groups. The first group is of teachers who, in teams, are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the curriculum, the instructional program for students, professional development, assessments and students guidance and program selection. They oversee that the school provides for all students, including the English Language Learners, a curriculum that is tied to real-world problems and involve the development of intellectual habits and skills such a problem solving, collaborating, and investigating various points of view. Similarly, they tailor instruction to the needs of students by providing support. Teachers work in a collaborative and professional environment and take the responsibility in a group-based system of governance every Wednesday afternoon in the networking period.

The school personalizes instruction and creates an atmosphere of nurture, support and understanding where teachers and students spend longer periods of time together, and come to know each other well. We use multiple venues to provide students an academic program that have depth, coherence and continuity, and provide for extended time in classes to allow for learning to take place using different perspectives.

Parental involvement is an important component in our school. Parents are involved and included in the school community. Parents are encouraged to participate in school decisions by becoming members of the School Leadership Team and the Parent Teacher Association. It also serves as part of the governance structure for the school, and plays and important role in overseeing how parents collaborate and become vital members of the school community.