Because our classes are small, teachers know their students well and are continually paying attention to their growth. Touchstone assesses learning in many ways: through observation, conversations and conferences, student work, projects, writing, skills-based assessments, and, when useful, more formal measures. Teachers look not only at whether a student has mastered a particular skill, but also at how they approach challenges, apply what they have learned, communicate their thinking, and work independently.
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Families receive regular communication about their child's progress, including conferences and written reports. When we see that a student needs increased support or greater challenge, teachers can adjust instruction, provide targeted small-group or individual work, and—when necessary—collaborate with families around next steps.
Yes. Students leave Touchstone with both a strong academic foundation and the independence they need to succeed in high school and beyond. By the time students graduate, they have experience managing longer-term assignments, writing and revising substantial pieces of work, conducting research, giving presentations, collaborating with others, and advocating for themselves when they need help.
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Just as importantly, our graduates understand themselves as learners. They know how to ask good questions, organize their work, respond to feedback, communicate with teachers, and persist when something is difficult. Our graduates go on to a variety of public, independent, vocational, and other secondary schools, and we work closely with students and families during the high school transition.
Small classes and mixed-age groupings give our teachers flexibility to meet students where they are. A child does not have to fit neatly into a single "grade level" in every subject. Teachers may work with the whole class, small groups, or individual students depending on what students are learning and what they need next.
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For a student who is ready for greater challenge, that might mean more complex texts, deeper questions, advanced mathematical concepts, or greater independence within a project. A student who needs more support might receive additional instruction, practice, different materials, or more individual attention. When a student's needs exceed what we can provide within the classroom, we work with families to determine what further support may be helpful and whether Touchstone can appropriately meet that child's needs.
Conflict is a normal part of growing up and of being part of a community. At Touchstone, our goal isn't simply to stop unwanted behavior; we want children to recognize its impact, develop the skills to navigate conflict, repair relationships, and make different choices in the future. Teachers set well-defined expectations and boundaries, and administration steps in to support students when they are unsafe or when behavior interferes with another person's ability to learn or belong. Whenever possible, we use conversation, problem-solving, reflection, and restorative practices to help students understand what happened and what needs to happen next. We work closely with families whenever concerns are ongoing or significant.
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Progressive education doesn't mean an absence of boundaries. In fact, learning to balance individual needs and choices with responsibility to a community is an important part of what we teach, and a crucial part of the lifelong social skills that benefit every child.
There isn't one "type" of Touchstone student. Our students have different personalities, interests, strengths, learning styles, and ways of moving through the world. Some are outgoing and willing to jump into a conversation; others would rather observe for a while before joining in. Some love being outdoors, some love books or building things, some want to know how everything works, and some seem to have a new interest every few weeks.
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Touchstone can be an especially good fit for children who thrive when teachers know them well and when they have room to ask questions, make things, move, explore, collaborate, and develop their own ideas.
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Part of our admissions process is getting to know each child and family. We want families to feel confident not simply that Touchstone is a wonderful school, but that it is the right school for their particular child.