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Year Long Research -
Mysteries

A mystery is something that is difficult or impossible to explain or a condition or quality of being secret, strange or difficult. Our theme is Mysteries this year. We focus on prehistory, geology, archaeology, paleontology, anthropology and the big idea of how do you uncover, discover, and solve a mystery. What kinds of questions do you ask? What evidence do you need in order to back up your ideas, theories and conclusions?

After spending our first half of the year exploring many mysteries in the classroom and out in the field, Students have chosen their long-term mystery research topic. They are engaged in framing the question, choosing appropriate materials, reading, discussing and examining information. Students will analyze this information and complete a variety of projects including murals, ceramics, and masks.

"The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin… "is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You might grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins…you may see the world around you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then - to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing, which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the thing for you.
- T. H. White, The Once and Future King

Welcome to Westside Village Magnet School's Website!

WVMS is a small, tight-knit group of kids, teachers, parents and volunteers who have all worked together to create a unique learning environment. The idea of one big happy family is a cliché, but in this case it's true.

Westside Village 2008 Slide Show

Westside Village Magnet School

... An inclusive non-graded, mixed age learning community ...

Our Vision: A learning environment that establishes a nurturing, stimulating and democratic foundation for the world we aspire to live in.

Our Mission: To develop an optimal educational program where all learners can develop to their full potential in an environment free of barriers, prejudice or limitations.

Our Philosophy: To realize our full potential, and to hone the unique contributions of all individuals. We believe in the development of a learning environment free of labels, barriers or limitations.

Guiding Principles

Reengage families in education
• By giving them meaningful roles in our school
• By providing inclusion for all families
• By connecting school with community

Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction
• That is permeated by the concepts of democracy, human dignity, peace and justice
• That relates to the lives of our students
• That integrates knowledge and focuses on the process of learning
• That teaches a core academic program
• That implements interdisciplinary thematic learning
• That is delivered using the constructivist approach

Create an optimal learning environment
• Where exploration is pervasive and activity based
• Where students can learn from their mistakes
• Where focus is on cooperative and collaborative learning
• Where staff is a community of professionals with a non-graded philosophy
• Where interdisciplinary teaming and collaborative planning is pervasive
• Where smaller learning communities are developed within a total school group

Optimize success for the stakeholders
• By capitalizing on people’s potential
• By fostering health and fitness
• By eliminating tracking by achievement level
• By inviting parents and families into the school

Encourage honest communication, trust, loyalty and friendship
• By engaging in authentic dialogue
• By using conflict mediation
• By inviting parents and families into the school

"The object of education and youth is not to teach the young all they will ever need to know. It is to give them the habits, ideas, and techniques that they need to continue to educate themselves. Thus the object of formal institutional education in youth is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." (Noll)