# data[].attributes.body
In a world where knowledge is at everyone's fingertips, students need more than facts and figures from their education. We want to train young minds to use knowledge, not memorize it. In applying knowledge, they will learn to challenge the world around them and develop their creativity, BUT that takes space. At Creative Space Academy, we give kids the space to think creatively. They'll still gain knowledge, but more importantly they'll know what to do with it.

# data[].attributes.body
Research suggests that creative curricula combined with transformative technology helps students engage, retain information, and develop critical thinking skills in the classroom.
For this reason, CSA supplies a device for each of its students and faculty. We also provide tech support and training to students, teachers, and parents.

# data[].attributes.body
The interior design of Creative Space represents our dedication to challenging the norm. Inside CSA, you'll find spaces like this library that reimagine the utilitarian design of most educational facilities into an inspiring place to learn.

# data[].attributes.body
Yes, creativity is messy and sometimes involves taking risks and breaking rules too.
At CSA, we strive to create an environment where students feel free to fail, make a mess, or challenge the rules. Our role in their education is to provide structure, guidance, encouragement, and yes, sometimes help cleaning up the mess.

# data[].attributes.body
Our mission at CSA is to inspire and support the development of creativity and innovation in K-12 students while providing a core education that meets the standards for college and career readiness.
We believe that creativity requires autonomy, so our classroom layouts and schedules, behavioral management techniques, and curricula all aim to provide opportunities for students' to feel ownership of their actions.
Because we believe in the power of connection, we also strive to develop relationships with each of our students in the classroom and create opportunities for students to join additional communities within the school, like clubs and teams.

# data[].attributes.body
At Creative Space Academy, we believe creativity should be at the core of all curricula. While we commit to developing students’ skills in Math, Science, English/ Language Arts, we will do so in a non-traditional format. You won’t find worksheets or textbooks in our classrooms. We believe that art, music, and drama are more natural vehicles for learning. For this reason, our classroom curricula will not be cleanly divided into subjects, like traditional schools. At CSA, students explore two or more subjects at once through lessons and projects designed to relate learning to real-life situations. Finding connections between classroom concepts and real-life is essential for deep understanding and retention of information.

Examples of our blended subject course curricula:

Math, Music & Art

Science, Writing, & Art

Language Arts, History, Foreign Language & Drama

Examples of lessons within blended subjects:

Exploring the properties of shapes while creating a painting or collage.

Creating a multi-media science journal of chemical reactions observed in the lab.

Reenacting a historical event via dramatization

This integrated learning style also supports deeper-level exploration of topics, as the classroom schedule is less full, and more flexible, than traditional school classrooms.

Assessment:

Assessment will be handled individually. We believe students need to feel ownership of their learning to do their best work and, therefore, should have choices regarding assessment. Teachers will provide the framework for projects and help students define the learning competencies to be communicated in their work. Still, ultimately, we want students to feel the freedom to push ideas beyond the typical classroom’s limits.

# data[].attributes.body
We referenced this article above and we'd love for you to read it too. There is evidence; creativity in the classroom yields confident, engaged learners.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teachers Who Promote Creativity See Educational Results

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teachers who foster creativity, especially those who leverage technology, are more likely to view their students as capable, engaged learners.

# data[].attributes.body
Inclusivity:
Students are unique, and their education should reflect that. At CSA we strive to take an individual approach to all components of education. Upon entry, students will be assessed for their learning readiness, background knowledge and skills, and abilities so the school can plan for complete inclusion in the classroom.

Accessibility:
With small class sizes (no more than 15), our teachers have the resources and time to manage and direct each student's individual progress. The use of 1 to 1 technology in the classroom provides students with tailored opportunities to strengthen areas where they may be behind grade-level standards.

In addition, CSA curricula focus on low threshold, high ceiling lessons that provide opportunities for every learner in the classroom. Strategic partnering and grouping give students the opportunity to learn from each other and develop relationships within the classroom that strengthen their engagement.

Social-emotional & Behavioral:

At SCA we believe in supporting student autonomy, so we avoid long lists of rules meant to control. Instead, we implement behavioral expectations that focus on ensuring the safety and security of our students and staff, and the maintenance of an inclusive learning environment. We handle violations of these expectations with restorative justice practices that give students ownership of their actions and empower them to address the reasons behind their offense.
We also take the time to address social-emotional wellness through mindfulness and emotion coaching in the classroom. By providing students these tools for self-management, we empower them to express and address their emotions positively.

# data[].attributes.body
Digital Literacy:
Technology integration is essential to a 21st-century education. Beginning in Kindergarten, students will use their school devices daily to build skills toward digital literacy. We follow this framework for teaching digital literacy to our students. At the base level, this framework focuses on the use of technology. With 1 to 1 devices in the classroom, students will have multiple opportunities a day to develop their technology navigation skills. Beginning in third grade, students will progress to the understanding stage of digital literacy. This stage develops students’ skills in comprehension and evaluation of digital sources. And finally, when students enter grade 6, they will build their skills to create with technology. Learning to use and adapt to various platforms is imperative as the field of technology is ever changing. The creation stage will also teach the need for lifelong tech learning.

Technology's Role:

At CSA, the goal of technology is not to replace teachers or human connections in the classroom. Instead, we use technology to expand the possibilities for learning in the classroom and relate education to the outside world.

# data[].attributes.body
We think it’s imperative for children to connect their school life to their home life, so we invite you to be a part of our community. We host a quarterly creative showcase where students' families and the community can come see what our students are learning and creating at school.
In addition, once per year, you’ll receive an invitation to present a project that you and your child create together that represents some aspect of your family’s values, culture, and beliefs. We want each child to feel comfortable sharing who they are, and you are the perfect partner for leading them through that process.

Communication:
You can also expect daily communication from your child’s classroom teacher via ClassDojo as well as weekly emails from the school administration to keep you informed.
We hold parent/teacher conferences at the end of the first and third quarters to invite open dialogue about student progress, needs, and future goals. If additional conferences are needed, or desired, parents are encouraged to request it through their child’s teacher.

# data[].attributes.body
We need creative leaders:
According to a recent survey by IBM, the business world agrees, "more than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision - successfully navigating an increasingly complex world will require creativity."

The good news...and the bad:
In 1968, researcher George Land tested 1600 3-5-year-olds with the creativity assessment he designed for NASA. The average result for 5-year-olds was 98%, suggesting kids are born with creative power. Unfortunately, when Land repeated the test with the same kids, 5 years later their scores had dropped to 30% and by age 15 their scores were down to 12%.

What does this mean?
It means that for our society to benefit from creative leadership that solves the world's problems, we must treat creativity with as much importance as we treat mathematics and literacy. Children have the capacity for creative thinking, but we need to encourage it, develop it, and above all, avoid stifling it. Creative Space Academy keeps creativity at the core of all we do so we can help develop the creative minds of the future.

# data[].attributes.body
The meaning behind the name Creative Space Academy is two-fold.
We want to provide students with a creative space in which to grow, that will inspire them to explore the world and imagine new possibilities.
But we also know that learning to be creative requires figurative space. Creativity takes time, freedom and emotional support. At CSA we strive to maintain an environment that leaves space for creativity to develop.