Atmosphere, Program, and Curriculum
Jordan Glen School of Archer, Florida, is situated eight miles west of Gainesville (home of the University of Florida) on 20 acres of field, orchard, and woods that provide a safe and physically beautiful environment--in itself an exceptional learning resource.
The integration of the outdoor spaces into the total atmosphere of Jordan Glen sets us apart from other educational settings. Walk around our grounds once and it will be apparent why our school is such a special place.
The atmosphere at Jordan Glen is informal yet respectful. Teachers are known by their first names and strive to create a warm, friendly learning environment that is supportive and responsive to each child's individuality as well as to the group as a whole. The school day is structured to provide a strong academic program, and within the structure students are allowed choices. Each day begins with "Morning Meeting" where students and teachers convene to discuss the day's activities, share surprises, good news, problems, and sing songs. Group problem-solving and cooperation are both encouraged.
For academics, children are grouped by age and ability and may move from one group to another in order to meet specific learning needs. Foreign language and basic academic subjects are taught in the morning. Electives, such as computer programming, art, music, drama, nature, environmental studies, tennis, copper enameling, pottery, and cooking, are taught in the afternoon.
Students transferring from Jordan Glen into other schools enter at or above their standard grade level. Academic achievement is monitored through both formal and informal inventories and testing.
Faculty and Philosophy
The faculty at Jordan Glen has a strong commitment to academic excellence. Many of our alumni have gone on to distinguish themselves in high school honors and the International Baccalaureate Program.
Jordan Glen's faculty is made up of skilled and dedicated professionals, including Jeff Davis, who has been the director for 25 years. An educational program that is organized around the individual needs, skills, and interests of children requires a faculty with an unusual wealth of knowledge and understanding of child development. Jordan Glen's faculty members are experienced teachers and are skilled in providing a stimulating, challenging, developmentally appropriate curriculum for their students.
The philosophy of Jordan Glen is based on the observation that even though there are universal and predictable sequences of change in children, each child is unique with an individual pattern of timing and growth. Our commitment is to an educational program that values individual differences, to a process of exploration and discovery, and to meaningful academic study.
We feel our excellent staff gives us the opportunity to understand each child's specific creative, social, emotional, and intellectual needs. We consider ourselves advocates of children and childhood. We would like our children to enjoy their time spent away from home and feel that we exemplify our belief that the joy of living and love of learning need never be separated.
Parents, Communication and Transportation
Communication and access between teachers and parents are facilitated through phone calls, flyers and monthly newsletters, conferences, and report cards. Informal events for parents, teachers, and students frequent the calendar. Parents are welcome to come to school at any time to participate or observe. We are open to projects, ideas, skills, or energy parents care to provide. Parents are also encouraged to attend school business meetings, serve on the Board of Directors and various committees, and to actively participate at workdays and in all fundraising activities.
We have our own school bus which transports the children to and from school daily. It also enables us to take field trips to places we feel will be interesting and enriching. In the past we have visited museums, zoos, bakeries, libraries, fire stations, strawberry fields, Blue Springs, Crystal River, and Cumberland Island, etc.
Traditions
Traditions have developed over the years that enrich the children's and parents' experience at Jordan Glen. Since 1974 we have annually celebrated with a Thanksgiving Feast, Secret Pals, Holiday Roller Skating Party, Senior Trip, and Commencement Exercises. Every year, we have school musical production which is performed for the entire community. Some of our past plays have been The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Beauty and the Beast, Seussical the Musical, The Lion King, Oliver, The Secret Garden, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Cats, and Into the Woods. As always, our invigorating learning environment grows and evolves in response to the needs of the children.
Jordan Glen offers an Aftercare Program from 3-6pm on school days. This program provides children with a safe and enjoyable place to be after school.
Jordan Glen also has a dynamic six-week Day Camp each summer. A separate brochure that describes the Day Camp is available on request.