What Makes MCS Special ?
Inquiry-based learning
Missoula Community School follows a child-led, teacher supported approach to building meaningful learning experiences in the classroom. Curriculum is developed throughout the school year based on the children’s interests and wonderings, and may take the form of extended projects, experiments, provocations and community discussions. By following a child-centered approach we allow the natural process of learning to unfold, and support children’s inquiry as they make meaning about the world.
A Mindful Foundation
Mindfulness has been a foundational practice of MCS since its inception. Children engage in regular yoga and mindfulness lessons that introduce breath practices, body and sensory awareness, emotional regulation and respect. These practices are interwoven into classroom experiences and help support a community of empathy, compassion and social-emotional wisdom. By introducing these practices at a young age we help children create foundational skills that will support their growth and emotional development for years to come.
Superheroes of Kindness
Superheroes of Kindness is a longstanding MCS tradition that honors the capacity for kindness that lies within each of us. Through acts of community caring — referred to as “kindness missions” — the children engage in empathy and perspective-taking, letting kindness flow without regard of reward. No act of kindness is too small, and no child is too young to extend kindness to our community. Our band of tiny superheroes understand that they are not too small to make a difference in their community and their world through compassion, joy and understanding.
Mission-driven practices
At MCS, we believe that our actions and practices as an organization can send powerful messages to our community and create catalysts for change. MCS aims to foster reciprocal relationships with the land and to take care of our earth as we take care of one another. As a school, we limit our consumption of single use plastic, practice mindful recycling and composting, and support local organizations and ethical businesses over chain stores and conglomerates. In doing so, we model stewardship and environmental awareness to our young students.