Mission, Philosophy & Goals
Mission
To guide students in the pursuit of excellence through academic, physical, and creative achievement while exemplifying a commitment to integrity, trust and responsibility. To encourage students to realize the joy of living through personal achievement and service to others, in preparation for higher learning and community life.
Philosophical Principles
- CIS is one school, K -12, sharing a common Mission that is implemented in an age-appropriate manner. While identifying with a grade level, Division, or discipline, the faculty share a commitment to the entire school.
- CIS believes that learning is a life-long process. We feel that the best way to help students realize a passion for learning is for teaching and learning to be personalized. Our faculty is supported in this by a student load and teaching schedule that allows for a high level of individual attention.
- CIS curriculum is designed by the faculty, based on the skills and content that a graduate is expected to possess. It is integrated within departments and across Divisions. It is designed to promote depth of understanding rather than a superficial acquaintance and students demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.
- CIS values its students as individuals. CIS faculty engage students in multiple contexts (e.g., as teachers, advisors, coaches, etc.). Each student is known and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to our community.
- CIS is attentive to the emotional and physical health of our students. This includes creating an environment that is physically, intellectually and morally safe.
- CIS constantly and consciously works to create a culture of integrity, trust and responsibility. Specifically this culture includes:
- High expectations - "I expect much of you, and I will do everything I can to support you"
- Trust - "I will trust you until you give me reason not to."
- Decency - "All members of the community must be treated with fairness and generosity of spirit."
- CIS and its families are engaged in a partnership to support the education of their students/children. Families actively support the school not only through volunteer activities, but by creating a climate at home that values education and supports the mission of the school.
- CIS appreciates the benefits of being an inclusive community and enables all members of the community to use their unique talents in support of our educational endeavor.
- CIS faculty model the life-long learning that it aspires to for our graduates. As an institution, CIS supports the faculty's professional development both through fiscal resources and through time for collective planning and reflection.
Goals
CIS graduates can…!
- Learn. Educated in the classical liberal arts tradition, inspired by being part of a community of life-long learners, they have a passion for learning and the skills to accomplish it.
- Appreciate the possibilities open to them. While confident that their education has given them the foundation to succeed, they understand that there are valuable lessons to be learned from perseverance in the face of adversity.
- Research and analyze information from a variety of sources, recognize what is important and relevant, and synthesize it in ways that can be used to make decisions.
- Think well, and communicate clearly, in the major disciplines of English, mathematics, science and history. They are literate in technology, as well as the written and spoken word. They are able to raise new questions and problem-solve to devise novel solutions.
- Live in a global society. Having studied world cultures and languages from the Classical age, including study of Latin, to the most current geo-political configurations, they are prepared to be members of an international community.
- Understand differences among individuals and groups. They can work cooperatively with others in academics, sports and extracurricular activities as leaders and group members.
- Think beyond their own interests and reflect on the ways in which they can serve the broader community. This reflection is informed by knowledge of moral principles common to the great philosophical traditions.
- Independently navigate the complexities of everyday life in society. Chief among these, they possess the understanding to responsibly discharge their civic duties in a democratic society.
- Balance the interests of external achievement and internal equilibrium. They appreciate those aspects of life which bring joy to living, e.g., the fine and performing arts and physical wellness.
