Classroom Options
Foundation for Learning
Fremont School District 79 believes in a child-centered curriculum that focuses on reading, writing, thinking, speaking, listening, calculating, and problem-solving. A strong emphasis is placed on using developmentally appropriate teaching strategies that actively engage children in the learning process. Both whole and small group instruction are provided in all classroom settings. Learning excursions (i.e. field trips), which support units of curriculum, are used as another teaching tool to help children make connections to real-world experiences. All classrooms are grouped heterogeneously to accommodate students’ strengths, learning styles, and academic abilities. Students have the opportunity to develop close friendships by working with other students in the same class, grade, or even from another grade level.
Classroom Structure Options
The following classroom structures are offered:
- Single age: This option is offered at all grade levels.
- 1/2 Multiage: This is an option for incoming first graders.
- 3/4 Multiage: This is an option for incoming third graders.
- Team teaching: This is an option for incoming second through fifth graders.
Families in these applicable grades are provided the opportunity to complete classroom preference forms each spring (usually late February to early March), communicated by the building principal. The schools do not guarantee specific class placements, but do give all preference forms significant consideration before making final placement decisions. A priority is also placed on having balanced classes. The schools will institute a lottery system if there are more students interested than spots available.
Please contact Principal Stefan Ladenburger at sladenburger@fsd79.org or Associate Principal Cathy Park at cpark@fsd79.org with questions about the various class options offered at Fremont School District 79.
Understanding Options
There are many wonderful options for students attending class in Fremont School District 79. Below are brief descriptions of each type of classroom structure. For further questions, please contact Principal Stefan Ladenburger at sladenburger@fsd79.org or Associate Principal Cathy Park at cpark@fsd79.org.
Single Age Classes (All Grade Levels)
This would be considered a “traditional” classroom setting, with a new teacher each year and the students all at the same grade level.
Things to Consider Include:
- Would we prefer that new peer relationships are developed each year?
- Would we prefer that new teacher relationships are developed each year?
Multi-age Class (Offered for first and third graders)
Students in this class structure span two grade levels in the same classroom (first and second grade or third and fourth grade) and the students will remain with the same teacher for two years. The first and second grade class is also a team taught classroom (see Team Taught Classes description below). Students in this setting learn to take a leadership role in the classroom the second year and benefit from the enduring teacher relationship without a transition.
Things to Consider Include:
- Would we prefer to have the same teacher assignment for two years?
- Would we prefer that half of the class will be the same age as my child and the other half will be younger/older?
- [First and second grade only] Would we prefer having two teachers partner in the delivery of instruction with a larger number of students?
Team Taught (Offered in second through fifth grade)
In this setting, the classroom space consists of two single classrooms combined to become one larger classroom with the combined skill sets of two teachers. All of the students in this structure are part of the same grade level. This structure allows for new peer relationships to be developed each year and the benefit of having two teachers for collaborative planning and flexible grouping.
Things to Consider Include:
- Would we prefer having two teachers partner in the delivery of instruction?
- Would we prefer having a larger number of students in a larger classroom setting?
