Keys School Mission
Keys School is an independent K–8 school that offers a broad hands-on curriculum. It fosters high academic achievement and emphasizes balanced growth—intellectual, physical, emotional, and social—for every student. Within a diverse and supportive community, Keys provides a caring and creative environment that encourages children to love learning, to take intellectual risks, to act as global citizens, and to treat others with respect and empathy.
This mission is at the heart of everything we do at Keys School, and faculty, staff and students live the mission every day.
Broad Hands-on Curriculum
Keys' educational philosophy is centered on a holistic concept of child development. We believe in a strong foundation in basic subject areas and that art, music, drama and physical education are integral to whole child development. We believe children learn best by doing. Teachers integrate simulations, discussions, group projects, and field trips for first hand experience into the curriculum. On any given day students are engaged in activities that appeal to a variety of learning styles and anchor lessons with first hand experiences.
A single good point or question is quickly fueled by the teacher and becomes a full-fledged debate. It can get pretty animated around here sometimes!
—Sixth grade student
High Academic Achievement
Our challenging curriculum promotes academic excellence, encourages creative exploration and critical thinking, and creates an enduring love of learning. Using a hands-on curriculum, grounded in contemporary research and theory, we nurture the development of the whole child - intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.
While high academic achievement is one result, the ultimate goal of learning is to create independent, curious, self-directed learners who can apply knowledge and deep understanding not only in the realm of abstract theory and thought, but also in the context of real-world problems and situations.
Balanced Growth
At Keys, we believe that in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, balance is key to both success and happiness. Within our program and school culture, we strive to achieve balance-between intellectual and physical pursuits, structure and choice, work and play.
The study of music charges both sides of the brain and helps develop the 'whole' person. Body, spirit, mind, and voice all come into play when we make music.
—Music teacher
For learning to be optimal, my classroom has to be a truly collaborative experience, where everyone feels encouragement and a sense of belonging.
—Kindergarten teacher
Diverse Community
Keys School believes that a diverse student body is a vital part of educating the whole child. We actively seek and enroll children from a range of socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. When children learn among peers who bring experiences shaped by differences in race, ethnicity, family configuration, class or religion, they come to respect each other across these differences and to value the possibilities inherent in multiple perspectives.
Supportive Community
At Keys, families come together to create a cohesive, supportive community with a common goal-to create the best possible learning environment for the children. We welcome parent participation in ways that best suit each family, whether it entails volunteering in the classroom, sharing of a special skill, or other contribution of time and expertise.
Caring Environment
Social and emotional learning is a key component of our mission that focuses on promoting self-reflection, core values, and ethical behavior. It is a cooperative effort amongst the educators to create a structured, consistent, and safe space for discussing or doing activities related to social / emotional growth. Parents and students at Keys embrace this philosophy and thus the learning is, for the most, parallel to the shared values at home. Nurturing a child's emotional and social intelligence, has given our students more tools as they face a multicultural and rapidly changing world.
I like self-science because it teaches you about your inner self, friendship, and problem solving.
—Sixth grade student
I felt well prepared when I got to high school - not just academically, but socially because I was used to having strong relationships with my teachers, and I learned to get along with lots of different kinds of people.
—Keys Graduate
Creative Environment
Students are encouraged to ask questions and explore new things. We teach students that there is not always one path to a correct answer. We foster creative thinking, innovation, and curiosity.
Global Citizens
Keys School recognizes that we live in a global community where awareness of different cultures, the ability to communicate and cooperate with a diverse population, and service to a larger community are needed for effective living. The Keys curriculum includes a world language program, self-science classes to teach communication and affective skills, and a K-8 social studies program that emphasizes the study of cultures throughout the world. Service learning experiences exist in every grade. Access to technology allows us to communicate and collaborate on projects with students in different parts of the world.