4 Houses-1 School
2024-2025
We are implementing a program called the House System that was created by the Ron Clark Academy (RCA), and it has a proven track record of creating a positive school climate and culture that is embraced by students, staff and families. The system encourages students to take ownership of their learning and behavior while working together to achieve common goals.
A key element of the House System is the way that it increases students’ motivation to succeed in school by fostering a sense of belonging among all students and staff, and parents often report feeling more connected to the school community as well. To achieve this, each student will be a part of one of 4 houses and will have the opportunity to participate in house-specific events and activities throughout the year. By being a part of a house, every child has a smaller group within the larger school community. In other words, every student will have “a crew and a cause.” Additionally, students will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within their houses, such as serving as heads of house, heads of committees, or organizers of house events.
Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to receive points for their houses. Points are awarded for going above and beyond expectations in areas such as academic achievement, character, school spirit, and uplifting others. While points are not the primary purpose of this program, when students work together to earn points for their houses, they celebrate, support, and encourage one another to achieve excellence. The house who earns the most points at the end of the year will be named the House Champions!
On August 16th, we had our house sorting day for our new house system, and IT WAS EXCITING!! The kids and staff in grades 1-5 (Kindergarten will join after Christmas) were separated into one of the four new houses of our school-Altruismo, Amistad, Rêveur, and Isibindi! We have been learning about the different houses, their chants, hand symbols, colors, and their history since starting school. Students had an idea of which house they wanted to be in, but when it came down to it, the house chose them! Students spun a wheel, ran through the balloon arch into crazy, excited teachers and staff, received a bracelet with their color, and ran to their house where they were greeted with cheering and love! These houses will follow our 5th graders to middle school, eventually allowing our houses to stretch K-8! We are excited to build leaders out of our 5th graders. We have some exciting things planned for houses this year. Ask your child which house they spun, and what they know about that house!