OUR MISSION

We honor and empower children by cultivating social, emotional and academic growth through inspiring experiences that challenge and extend thinking and wondering.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

BELIEVE

We believe that children are born with infinite capability, creativity and intelligence.

 
 

We respect the different ways in which an individual learns at various stages of life, as well as the differences among individuals in the ways they perceive the world and express their ideas.

 
 
 

RESPECT

From the Founder

"Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child possesses the innate ability to think critically and acquire knowledge of different topics through engaging in a wide array of activities. Therefore, we respect their choices and encourage their interests.  Activities offered in our classrooms, on the playground and in our Ateliers invite students to explore, discover and express their learning experiences through a variety of means."

- Jeff Turner, Executive Director

The Foundations of our Philosophy

At Tree Top Academy, our early childhood philosophy places the student at the center of the educational process, helping them to blossom and grow into healthy, productive adults.  We respect the different ways in which an individual learns at various stages of life, as well as the differences among individuals in the ways they perceive the world and express their ideas.

Our unique, collaborative and researched-based approach to Early Childhood Learning.

Tree Top Academy has created its own unique curriculum called the Tree Top Approach to Learning or TTAL. It is based on the latest research in early childhood education. TTAL was developed by pulling together 4 complementary ideas of early childhood education.

  • This approach focuses on each child as an individual full of potential, curiosity and creativity. The teacher is seen as the guide and role model for the children to construct their own theories and knowledge.

  • The Project Approach works well with Reggio Emilia. A project is an in depth investigation into a topic of interest to the children. The students generate questions about the topic and then conduct research to help find the answer. The study can last anywhere from 2 weeks to several months.

  • Visible Thinking was developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and it consists of simple thinking strategies and mini strategies that extend and deepen students thinking.

  • The Conscious Discipline program is a comprehensive social emotional learning program that teaches children how to regulate their emotions. Conscious Discipline techniques are an undercurrent through all of our teaching and interactions.