Mission and Vision
Vision Statement
Vision: Create an environment in which students can learn in a positive, enthusiastic setting where their individual strengths, needs and areas of growth are acknowledged, valued and supported by adults, their peers, and other students.
Our vision is rooted in our founders' aspirations for Mistwood:
"Our passion is to see children being happy, loving to come to school; having enthusiasm to learn; celebrating who they are each hour, each day; celebrating those around them; and being able to start again after a problem has been resolved. They serve as a powerful, ever-present reminder for us to stay in the moment; engross ourselves in a subject, and delight in the variety of human nature and development that surrounds us."
Mistwood Founders and Directors (1980-2013): Julie Dorman and Marsha Aden-Wansbury
We Believe...
In recognizing every student's individuality, strengths, needs and capacity to succeed in their own time,
Varying our teaching methods according to the needs of each student,
Striving to develop each student’s ability to think creatively and analytically,
Supporting each student in developing their personal growth: academically, socially, and emotionally.
A Mistwood Graduate is...
Mistwood Educational Center works consistently across all grades and classes to produce critical thinkers who are effective communicators and self advocates. Our students develop a strong sense of self, community, and ethics, and demonstrate readiness for independent adult life. A Mistwood graduate will have academic mastery, internal strength, a global perspective, integrity and independence.
Academic Mastery : Employ effective critical thinking, complex reasoning skills, and varied depth of knowledge, necessary for lifelong learning.
Internal Strength: Have the positive and flexible mindset, along with confidence, to achieve individual goals that are rooted in a personal curiosity and founded in a love of learning.
Global Perspective: Possess the perspective to appreciate the breadth and diversity of the world and its cultures, promoting open-mindedness, justice, and a commitment to the common good.
Integrity: Demonstrates discipline, responsibility, respect, compassion and community engagement needed to navigate life's complex choices and relationships.
Independence: Applies appropriate social, communication and practical skills needed to be successful in the workplace and in an independent adult life.
Guiding Instructional Practices
Mistwood prides itself on its personalized education. We know that children learn in different ways and at different paces. We also offer flexible school schedules to meet all student and family needs
Instead of English, Math, and Science classes... Our students take Humans 101, Environmental Justice, and Mythology. These thematic classes are presented holistically and cross subject.
At Mistwood we want students and families to focus on LEARNING, not on "work production" and "points". When we give grade they reflect what a child can do or knows not how much work they have completed.
Fostering curiosity and instilling a love of learning is the cornerstone of everything we do at Mistwood.