In multi-age classrooms, students have more freedom to be who they are. It is the perfect structure for individualized education as it addresses both the academic and social/ emotional needs of young learners. Multi-age classrooms allow for more flexibility in learning, and students develop social, emotional, and verbal skills at a higher rate as they learn with a variety of peers. Students’ self-efficacy and self-concept are improved in a multi-age classroom because they become more caring and supportive as they progress, eventually developing into role models and mentors for younger students. At Rivendell, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first graders are grouped into the “Younger Kids” classroom. “Middle Kids” are mostly comprised of second and third graders, and primarily fourth and fifth graders are the “Older Kids.” There are currently two classrooms for each level, along with two academic preschool classrooms.
/ / / Multi-Age Classrooms