As the students adjust to a new classroom with different routines and expectations from the year prior, the opportunity to set goals for the academic year presents itself quite quickly! After talking extensively about the Growth Mindset philosophy and reading books that demonstrate perseverance and accountability, the students were asked to think of their own goals for their future, both socially and academically.

In language arts class, fifth graders recently began reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Wonder is a well-loved book that beautifully combines themes of compassion, empathy, and understanding. In fact, it is more than just a book—it’s a tool for building character and a chance to put kindness into action every day.

As we kick off a new school year, we are thrilled to welcome all our students to Spanish class! A new chapter where language learning and cultural exploration collide! Over the first week and the first month, we planned to build a warm and stimulating class; assisting with settling students in so that they would feel comfortable, connected and open for whatever learning came their way.

Collaboration, Creativity, Confidence, Poise, Perseverance, Problem-Solving, Personal Expression. These are just a few of the lessons that I learned studying music during elementary, middle and high school. We live in a world where all of our eyes are glued to screens and instant gratification is just one click away.

Our middle school students were excited to get the fall sports season underway the first week of September! We had soccer try-outs for all 5th - 8th grade boys and girls the first three days of school, Sept. 3rd, 4th and 5th. Our student athletes were looking focused and working hard to make a great impression on the coaches.

Fifth grade has kicked off the trimester by diving into the timeless art of still life! Inspired by the works of Maya Kopitseva and John Rise, our young artists are bringing everyday objects—specifically vibrant, colorful fruits—to life on paper.

We started off the school year with a mass celebrating the opening of another school year.  Father Van Dyke was the celebrant and encouraged all of us to be a “light for each other this school year.

To start off the year, Grade 3 have completed the BE project. After discussing what it means to have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset, we challenged the children to find 10-15 character traits from a list that they want to embody this year. The traits they select can be ones they already have and want to maintain or ones they will strive to be.

Welcome to a new school year, where excitement and fresh starts are in the air! On the second day of school, our Grade 2 dove into a fantastic activity designed to help them set their sights on the year ahead. Each student was asked to craft one academic and one social goal for themselves.

While summer is supposed to be a time for relaxation and a slower pace, it can be hard to find that peacefulness when you’re overscheduled with swimming and diving, camps, and inconsistent schedules. We all know it’s important to limit screen time, in general, but trying to do so during summer months can be hard. Here are a few benefits of reading this summer vs. consuming digital medi

In today's digital age, where screens dominate and schedules often seem overstuffed with academic pursuits, the significance of outdoor play for young children cannot be overstated. Beyond simple recreation, outdoor play serves as a cornerstone for development, fostering physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being in young minds. At The Woods Academy, we know the importance of educating the whole child. That includes preparing them for the everchanging 21st century world, but also making sure we are educating our students to be well-rounded individuals.

Many of our community members often describe The Woods Academy as their second home, which makes sense as children spend more than half of their waking hours at school during the school year. Because children spend so much time at school, a collaboration between parents and schools is essential as this partnership can have a profound impact on a child’s growth and success.