School Information
After Farm School

School Information

What is the student-teacher ratio?
We aim for a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. In addition, we have two classroom aides and interns--students from the  University of California, Irvine or Soka University who assist in the classroom as part of their degree work.  We also employ a part time music teacher.  Our low teacher:student ratio allows for individualized instruction and attention on a daily basis, allowing children to excel to their full potential and at their own pace.

What training do your teachers have?
Our two fulltime teachers have a combined total of more than 30 years teaching experience and each has multiple degrees and certifications. For more details on their individual qualifications, please see the Who We Are page.

How much diversity is there in your student body?
A diverse student population is central to our mission.  Because our school is small, the level of diversity can vary every year.  Over the past few years, we have had students of African, African American, Chicano, Chinese, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, and Sri Lankan ethnicities, as well as students whose families come from Germany, Canada, Australia, and Japan. We also seek diversity in abilities and personalities.

What does an average day look like at the Farm School?
Please see our schedules on the About Our Program page for an overview of weekly and annual activities at Farm School.

Are children grouped into traditional grade levels, i.e. what are Big Kids and Little Kids?
At Farm school, children are grouped into multi-age classrooms. Little Kids are usually in their first three years (K-2) at the school.  Big Kids are generally in their last four years (3-6) at the school.  Older Little Kids might spend some time with Big Kids for particular subjects, depending on their abilities and interests.  Multi-age classrooms allow children to work at their individual levels in various subjects rather than at a predetermined grade level in all areas.  All of the children spend some time together every week in both academic and social/physical activities.

What are the advantages of multi-age classrooms?
Multi-age classrooms enhance children's social, emotional, and academic development.  Interactions across age-groups and peer teaching help develop leadership skills and pride in accomplishments.  Multi-aged groups can be more stimulating -- younger students learn to emulate older ones, and explaining concepts and learning strategies to younger children increases older students' deep understanding.  Our multi-age classrooms allow students to do individualized work in each subject at appropriate levels, rather than having to do work at a pre-determined grade level.

What are some of the characteristics of a Farm School education?

• Children learning and discovering through play
• Open ended tasks that encourage multi-faceted learning and multiple outcomes
• Teachers regularly working one-on-one with each child
• Children taking responsibility for their own learning
• Different teaching styles and strategies geared to a given child's needs
• Encouraging each child's talents, individual gifts, and ability to succeed
• Emphasizing problem-solving rather than rote learning
• Encouraging academic risk-taking rather than an emphasis on immediately knowing the "right" answer
• Valuing the process of learning as much as the end product
• Allowing children to be both teachers and students
• Encouraging community-building, rather than competitive physical and social activities

Does the Farm School offer after school care?
Yes, from the end of school to 6.00pm.  We offer both the option of drop-in care paid by the hour, and monthly flat-rates for regular after school care users.  

AFTER FARM SCHOOL

Where do children from the Farm School eventually wind up?
Farm School students attend a wide range of public and private middle schools and high schools. Many of these include the public schools of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Laguna, as well as the Orange County School of the Arts, Sage Hill High School, and other private schools.

Just some of the universities that Farm School alumni have attended include: Barnard College, Boston University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Columbia University, Emory University, Harvard University, MIT, New York University, Oberlin College, Princeton University, Reed College, Stanford University, Swarthmore College, University of Arizona, UC- Berkeley, UC-Irvine, UCLA, UCSD, UC-Santa Cruz, University of Chicago, University of Southern California and Wellesley College. You can read our alumni's own evaluations of the Farm School's impact on them.

Do Farm School children easily transition to other schools?
Farm School children transition very well to all kinds of secondary schools. With three decades of experience, we know that Farm School students learn responsibility for their own education, which means they are equipped for the individualized work expected of middle school and high school students.  Because they have learned critical thinking skills, former Farm School students are prepared for the more sophisticated analysis expected at top secondary schools.  Because they have learned self-confidence and empathy, they also make smooth social transitions. Further, middle and high school teachers notice the effect Farm School has had on students. As a previous Chair of English at Sage Hill High School summarized:

"When it came time for my daughter to go to kindergarten, I did some anecdotal research, asking my best students what schools they came from. I began to notice a trend in their answers: the most adventurous, creative, and motivated students had gone to the Farm School." -- George B. Pratt, Former Chair, English Department, Sage Hill School