04. The Spirit of the Classroom

The New School’s classes are our most valuable assets. Although each teacher has the responsibility to guide the Spirit of the Classroom, you have a responsibility to do your part to ensure that the Spirit of the Classroom, and hence of the school, is as healthy as possible. Students and faculty collaborate to construct and nurture the sacred space of the classroom. While the rules may vary from classroom to classroom, several underlying rules apply throughout the school. Below are the ten principles that form its foundation.

Students and teachers should proactively:

1. Guarantee the physical and psychological safety of each person.
2. Focus each person’s attention on the subject at hand.
3. Create a sense of fairness and fair play within the classroom.
4. Invite everyone’s participation.
5. Challenge each other to think in new and different ways.
6. Recognize that the foundation of knowledge begins with what each person already knows and believes.
7. Relate clearly and meaningfully to the objectives, goals, and standards of the class.
8. Encourage the best in each person.
9. Respect the class’s sense of organization and coherence.
10. Speak up when we perceive behaviors that undermine a positive, active educational space.