Support & Wellness

Our Health & Wellness curriculum is designed for students to explore their identities and deepen their knowledge at developmentally appropriate levels.

Led by our Wellness Coordinator, students at the Children’s House level explore concepts of consent and healthy relationships within Montessori Grace & Courtesy lessons, as well as basic human biology.

Our Health & Wellness curriculum is designed for students to explore their identities and deepen their knowledge at developmentally appropriate levels.

Elementary 1
Elementary 1 students continue their lessons from Children's House regarding consent and healthy relationships and begin to add discussions about simple human development as it relates to basic biology. 

Elementary 2
Elementary 2 students learn about healthy relationships, puberty, and anatomy. They receive lessons from the school's Wellness Coordinator, as well as presentations from Family Tree Clinic. The Elementary 2 level also hosts a biennial parent/child health and wellness education event. ​​​​​​

Our Health & Wellness curriculum is designed for students to explore their identities and deepen their knowledge at developmentally appropriate levels.

Junior High students attend presentation by Family Tree Clinic on the following subjects:

• Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation
• Sexually Transmitted Infections & Birth Control
• Consent, Healthy Relationships & Sexual Harassment
• Students also attend Health Class for one quarter with the Wellness Coordinator with further emphasis and exploration of Family Tree Clinic lessons utilizing the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum.

Children's House teachers are in regular communication with our Learning Support Team to address student support needs as they arise. In addition, Kindergarten students participate in a Dyslexia screening and follow-up as needed. 

If LCS identifies a child who needs more individualized support in the school setting, there are a wide array of options to consider. Based upon a variety of factors, LCS determines what services students with learning and/or mental health challenges will receive from our team of Student Support Specialists. These factors include the presence of a diagnosis, the level and type of need, and the availability of specific types of support.

Elementary teachers are in regular communication with our Learning Support & Wellness Team to address student support needs as they arise. If LCS identifies a child who needs more individualized support in the school setting, there are a wide array of options to consider. Based upon a variety of factors, LCS determines what services students with learning and/or mental health challenges will receive from our team of Student Support Specialists. These factors include the presence of a diagnosis, the level and type of need, and the availability of specific types of support.

Support at the Elementary Level

• Administration and interpretation of Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
• Structured phonics lessons with reading coach
• Work with Learning Support Specialist 1-2 times per week, based on diagnosis by an outside professional and/or combined recommendation from student support team and classroom teacher
• Work with Wellness Coordinator 1 time per week, or on an as-needed basis
• Individual work with classroom assistants directed by classroom teacher

Junior High teachers are in regular communication with our Learning Support & Wellness Team to address student support needs as they arise. If LCS identifies a child who needs more individualized support in the school setting, there are a wide array of options to consider. Based upon a variety of factors, LCS determines what services students with learning and/or mental health challenges will receive from our team of Student Support Specialists. These factors include the presence of a diagnosis, the level and type of need, and the availability of specific types of support.

Support at the Junior High Level

• Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
• Work with Learning Support Specialist once per week, if student has a documented learning need by an outside professional
• Work with Wellness Coordinator 1 time per week or on an as-needed basis (either individually or in a small group)

Students in Children's House do not use computers or any other digital technology and do not receive instruction from technology devices. Our emphasis is on concrete and hands-on natural materials. The children have the freedom to choose these materials and work with them independently after receiving presentations.

Elementary 1

• All of the learning materials are concrete and hands-on, natural materials
• Children use printed materials for research and study
• There are 2-3 computers in each classroom that are used for assistive technology programs to supplement instruction for students who need extra learning support
• Students are introduced to online health and safety
• In 3rd grade, students are introduced to keyboarding, the basics of computer use, and digital word processing (formatting, making comments, etc.)
• If there is a topic of study that is more contemporary, the classroom guide will introduce online research and supervise the research

Elementary 2

• There are 2-3 computers in each classroom that are mostly used for typing reports and practicing typing, and can be used for internet research using educational search engines
• Students are introduced to the Google Suite of applications to compose essays, write reports, and create presentations, but are not given access to email or chat features
• Students continue to develop their typing skills through regular practice
• The educational search engines of elibrarymn.org, app.Sooth.fyi, and MackinVIA.com (audiobooks) are introduced as research tools, complementing traditional print resources
• The web-based math program IXL is used for math diagnostics and practice at home
• All students and parents/caregivers sign a computer use agreement that emphasizes ethical and limited use of technology that aligns with the school’s values

• Adolescents will see a greater integration of technology for learning platforms, for research, multimedia presentations, and collaboration on student projects
• Students are introduced to and will use a protected LCS email for communication with each other and teachers
• Google Classroom is used to access assignments and turn in completed work
• Students use Google Suite and the IXL Math Program for homework
• Students receive lessons using the Social Institute, an organization that provides lessons and timely topics about safety, etiquette, and a healthy balance with digital technology and social media
• All JH students receive an “Agreement for Responsible and Respectful Technology Use.” Students must read this agreement with their parents, and both the student and their parents/caregivers must sign this agreement