School Environment
The Organization of Our School
Classes
Children at The Clifton School are grouped by chronological age and development
levels. Our classes are small and intimate. Excellent child/staff ratios ensure children receive the individual attention
they want and deserve. In the afternoons, Clifton's part-time staff, as well as interns from other nearby colleges join
us.
Waiting List and 'Move Up'
Establishing a strong sense of community within and between the classrooms is a vital
part of our school culture. For this reason, we do not transition children
individually throughout the year according to their birth dates, which would create a fluid
environment. Instead, we typically transition the children together at the
end of the school year in June -- at 'move-up'.
The school consists of four villages: Infant,Toddler I, Toddler II, and Preschool. At 'move-up'
(1st full week in June), each village (except for the preschool village) moves up to the
next village. This results in most of our availability occurring in June.
After June, we have availability on a case-by-case basis; when a child withdraws from the
school, we offer that space to the next age-appropriate child on the waiting list.
| AGE GROUPS |
AGES |
RATIOS |
| Infants |
6 weeks - 1 year |
8 children to 2 teachers* |
| Toddler I |
1 year - 2 years |
10 children with 2 teachers* |
| Toddler II |
2 years - 3 years |
12 children with 2 teachers* |
| Preschool |
3 years - 5 years |
16-20 children with 2 teachers* |
- Administrative faculty includes an executive director, one administrative director, one site director, two
assistant directors, a business manager, two administrative
assistants, and two curriculum coordinators.
- Additional faculty includes "floaters" (teachers who work where needed),a music teacher, cooks, and part-time afternoon staff.
- All faculty members have extensive background checks, CPR and First Aid Certifications,
and universal precautions training.
- All teachers participate in on-going professional development.
Opportunities include participation in weekly planning meetings and monthly faculty
meetings, attending conferences and in-services and working individually with
consultants in the school classrooms.
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