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Success Stories
With all the concern about schools and our education system, at least one school is setting quite a different standard. It is Shreiner Academy in Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta. Shreiner Academy’s growth over the years has been nothing short of phenomenal. Established in 1980 as a preschool with thirty students, Shreiner Academy has continued to grow over the years. In time, the Academy grew to 8 classroom buildings, a performing arts center, two swimming pools, a campground, computer lab, cafeteria, picnic area, an athletic field, and a total of nine playgrounds. All situated in a campus setting surrounded by trees, fountains, and gardens. All of this growth was the result of word of mouth from parents who wanted to share the school with their friends. Soon, the school’s growth gained national attention. In fact, Shreiner Academy was recognized in the Wall Street Journal for their “booming” growth. What is intriguing about this Success Story is the approach that was taken. The school was founded by the Shreiner family. It was their educational philosophy that made the Academy the success that it is today. You see, the Shreiner’s felt the American education system was too lifeless. Students were tired of the endless round of dittos, textbooks, and confinement to a desk. What they wanted to bring to education was a rich calendar of informative field trips to museums, nature parks, botanical gardens, and the theatre. Trips which ventured to Stone Mountain, Calloway Gardens, and even Savannah. They also brought special event programs to the school including Spelling Bees, Inventors Fairs, an active Performing Arts Program, and special guest speakers to name just a few. It’s easy to see why the Shreiner’s approach of making learning fun has caught on and taken parents and children alike by storm – It’s equally easy to see why Shreiner Academy is such an enormous Success Story.
Questions to David Shreiner, Headmaster:
Q: David, this is an impressive array of activities you are offering. What are the goals of the school?
A: I think our school’s motto says it best. The motto is “where learning comes alive.” In the simplest terms, we are trying to breathe life into the educational process. That is the reason the variety and fun is incorporated into the curriculum.
Our school’s approach is somewhat different. Instead of just textbooks and dittos, we expand the curriculum to include: nature films, guest speakers, computer software programs, listening station activities, and great field trips including visits to the folk life festival and the planetarium. The sheer volume of enhancement programs offered by the school is amazing. Everything from foreign languages, Young Astronauts, art and music – to instructional drawing, cooking, and gardening. In fact there are over thirty different programs available at the school during the year. We do this so that we can offer a rich variety of learning opportunities to the students and at the same time add a bit of spice to the curriculum.
Q: It is my understanding that you are trying to create a certain atmosphere here at the school.
A: Much of what Shreiner Academy is, is the mood or ambiance of the school. What I am talking about is the way we interact with the children. We work hard to create an environment that encourages positive self-esteem. Our goal is to work with the parent to help create a happy, healthy, and confident child.
The key to accomplishing this goal is to attract the right teachers. In interviewing, we are always interested in credentials, but even more important, we are looking for that rare individual who is loving and nurturing, and who has high expectations, yet can create a relaxed atmosphere for the children.
Believe me, it takes finesse to create a positive, pro-child environment, but I am very pleased with how the style and character of the school has evolved over the years.
Q: Can you tell me how this all relates to the children’s test scores.
A: This combination of elements including our small class size, accelerated curriculum, nurturing teachers, the enhancement programs, and just the intimacy of the school, itself, is a recipe or formula that really works. It captures the child’s imagination and motivates them. The proof is in the results of standardized testing. Our school ranks among the very best in the nation. In the most recent testing of our Kindergarteners, believe it or not, 89% tested in the high range. Our oldest elementary class last year scored a full three years above grade level in the Stanford Achievement Test. Can you imagine an elementary class’ average scores at the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade level? These scores do not happen in real life, but remarkable as it is, they do happen here. It just goes to show what happens when you work with a small group of happy, highly motivated students.
Q: What are the long term goals of the school?
A: To continue to find new ways to challenge and motivate students. When I was a child – I hated school. I used to watch the clock ticking just waiting for my release. As an educator, I want to bring something imaginative – alive and vibrant to the children. Instead of just doing academics because they have to, I want them to embrace it and really enjoy it.
And what differences does this all make? Just about all the difference in the world. Let me give you an example, just this past September a 4th grade student, who transferred to our school, stopped me in passing after he had been here only two weeks. I leaned down to talk to him and he put arms around me and said, “I love this school.” There can be no greater reward than this and, of course, motivates us to work ever harder to create something, just great for the children. |
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