Educational Philosophy
 FMS combines the Multiple Intelligences approach to teaching pioneered by Howard Gardner (Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education) with Differentiated Instruction to provide each student with the type of teaching that works best for their own learning style. Lessons are paced to continually keep a student at the edge of their learning curve. By doing so, students are challenged but still experience success in their studies.
We believe students are naturally curious and excited to learn. FMS teachers work to make our rigorous academic program interesting, engaging, active, fun, and challenging. We want all students to experience the joy of learning.
Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated instruction is simply an approach to teaching students of differing abilities in the same class. Each student brings with them unique skills, experiences, and abilities. While the goal for any particular lesson plan is the same for all students, teachers must recognize where each student is in the learning process and how to share a lesson in a way the student can best understand the material. The intent of differentiating instruction is to maximize each student’s growth and individual success.
In order to effectively differentiate instruction, teachers must know their students. At FMS our small classes allow teachers the time to get to know their students. They have the assessment tools necessary to assist them so that they can develop effective lesson plans to meet the varying needs of the particular classroom.
Multiple Intelligences
Traditional American education programs are based on logical/mathematical and linguistic intelligence. Gardner, however, identified eight different intelligences. Students whose innate skills are not linguistic or logical/mathematical often struggle in a traditional educational setting and are characterized as under-achievers or labeled with learning disorders. At FMS we believe that presenting lessons in a way that simultaneously addresses a number of different learning styles engages and benefits all students.
Read more on the eight intelligences as identified by Howard Gardner.
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