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Open Houses: March 10-11 & April 14-15,
“SCCS is a magical place of growth for kids,
teachers and college students. Our classroom is a community that
fosters learning through hands-on lessons and investigation. We
look forward to school everyday!”
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About the School
What started as an experimental nursery school group is today’s Stephens College Children's School (SCCS). The mission of this laboratory school throughout its history has been to provide college students opportunities for direct experiences with children, while providing community children with solid, research-based instruction by professors, college students and certified teachers. The school moved to its present location in 1970, the Audrey Webb Child Study Center, at 1400 Windsor St. The school was designed to house college classrooms as well as three children’s classrooms with observation booths. College students participate directly with the children in classroom activities on a variety of teaching levels while being supervised by professors and master teachers.
Teaching, learning and children are at the heart of the Stephens College laboratory school.
The Programs
Quality programs include half-day preschool and a new full-day preschool program. Both preschool programs (ages 3-5) are designed to support the whole child, including social, emotional, cognitive, academic and physical growth. Children are engaged in active learning experiences throughout the day. The preschool classrooms collaborate with Columbia Public Schools Early Childhood Special Education department, placing four children with early intervention needs in each classroom that has a maximum of 16 children. An on-site early childhood special educator and specialists provide support for the children.
The elementary classroom is an authentic multi-age setting, where students are grouped by ability rather than age. The curriculum is child-driven and teacher-facilitated. In the morning, students spend at least 90 minutes on direct and indirect literacy instruction, and 60 minutes on math instruction, while afternoons are devoted to social studies and science inquiry, art, physical education, music and foreign language.
SCCS also offers extended daycare before and after school.
We Believe
- Children and college students have an intrinsic desire to learn and construct knowledge by interacting upon the world.
- Children and college students should be active learners who have a variety of opportunities to try out ideas they are learning in real situations.
- Classroom teachers are active facilitators who utilize a variety of methodologies and best practices.
- Education should involve the total person, including social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development with attention to feelings, attitudes and values.
- Acceptance and support of each individual and the encouragement of social and moral autonomy are central to the Stephens College Children’s School experience for students, families, faculty and pre-service teachers.
- Students learn best when exposed to a variety of practices, methods and experiences.
Vision Statement
Stephens College Children’s School is a constructivist,
holistic-based laboratory school community. It is comprised of children,
families, faculty and Stephens College students. Collaboration with
Columbia Public School educators provides the opportunity for developmentally
appropriate educational experiences.
Staff
Children are taught by experienced, certified teachers, with Stephens College education majors as assistants.
Leslie Willey, director of the Stephens College Children's School, B.A., Stephens College; M.Ed. and Ph.D., University of Missouri–Columbia.
Blogs
- All in a Day's Work (Full Day Preschool Classroom)
- A Deeper Look into the Stephens Multi-age Classroom
Forms
