Our Model
AGC's inquiry-based learning model provides an opportunity for learners to construct meaning through concept-driven units of study. Students become environmentally and internationally minded by learning how their choices impact their community and ultimately the world. The Academy for Global Citizenship places an emphasis on the total growth of the developing child by addressing social, physical, linguistic, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. At AGC, all students —regardless of their linguistic background— learn in two languages: Spanish and English. As a community of learners; professionals, families, and teachers work collaboratively to ensure the learning environment supports high achievement. AGC respects and embraces the innate curiosity of children, the natural systems of the world and the responsibility to make positive change.
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Our Teaching & Learning Philosophy
AGC educators believe that students thrive in an environment that emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and global perspectives through developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Through our IB practices, AGC students explore interconnectedness across subjects while fostering a holistic understanding of complex issues. The combination of rigorous academic study, community service, learning in two languages and the development of intercultural awareness empowers AGC students to become lifelong learners with a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. AGC's programs place an emphasis on independent research, collaborative projects, and the cultivation of essential skills such as communication and reflection. AGC educators promote a profound and lasting approach to learning that extends beyond the classroom.
The AGC Way: Village Model
When you walk into AGC, you will not see the traditional classrooms, where each student has a chair and a desk. Instead, you will see a variety of shared learning spaces with flexible seating options that are designed to promote inquiry, collaboration, independence, metacognition and a love for learning.
At AGC, students learn in villages. A village is a way to group students, as well as define the space that is allocated to that age group in our campus. Each group has its own village, and also uses shared indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the campus.
In K-1 and 2-3 students are grouped in multi age groups, and are anchored by the teacher. While there are opportunities for collaboration across groups students mostly stay with a teacher that teaches all subjects. Each group has between 20 and 24 students. To learn more about the why and the how of this model, click on AGC’s Multi Age Village Model.
In 4-5, while grouping is not multi aged, students are grouped in a way that there are opportunities for multi age collaboration. Each group has between 25 and 27 students.
In MYP (grades 6-8), students shift to departmentalized subject courses as they are anchored by the subject. As an IB school, AGC’s MYP curriculum framework is comprised of eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents: Mathematics, Language & Literature, Science, Individuals & Societies, Language Acquisition (Spanish), Physical and Health Education, Design (Technology and Sustainability) and Art (Visual and Performing). As students enter their middle school years, the adolescent brain is a new window of opportunity. This is a time for rapid learning and brain development. Students are able to move more frequently during the day, which helps increase attention. It also provides students with an opportunity to be challenged academically by different teachers in different classroom environments and prepares students for the transition to high school.
AGC’s MYP Program is also characterized by the following:
- Cooperative Teaching Approach
Educators work together to collaborate and coordinate content. - Shared Responsibilities
Educators take equal ownership of the students. The motto is “everybody’s kids are everybody’s kids” Educators have the opportunity to bond with more students, beyond a fixed set of students. The team provides mutual support for one another and share responsibilities. - Purposeful curriculum
The team shares their work with one another through cross-disciplinary conversations so that each knows how students are doing across the curriculum. Educators align units of inquiry to coordinate multi-age opportunities through flex-time.
Apple Distinguished School
Innovating Through Technology
Apple Distinguished schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple's vision for learning with technology. AGC's leaders, faculty and the extended community believe in having a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals and continuous innovation. AGC is proud to be an Apple Distinguished School.
Learning
Through the IB Curriculum, students use Apple devices at all points of their learning. Students use our Apple technology to assist in their culminating Inquiry projects 6 times a year.
Success
Upon graduation, all students have the option to keep their device as they transition to high school. Twenty-five percent of students continue onto a selective enrollment or honors program at CPS.
What's Next
Students have individual needs which are supported by providing our students with iPad devices or MacBooks to assist their learning. 1:1 student to iPad or Macbook Air ratio.
Apple Products & Services
- 1:2 iPad devices for
Kinder through 3rd
Grade - 1:2 laptops for 4th and
5th Grade - 1:1 iPads with keyboards
for 6th - 8th Grade - Teachers are equipped
with a MacBook Air and
iPad - All classrooms include a
projector and Apple TV