Cobblestone School
Encyclopedia
Cobblestone School is a progressive, alternative
private school
in Rochester, NY. It is a member of the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools
and the Greater Rochester Association of Private Schools.
, a public high school
that has an emphasis on the arts, and many of the students continue on to this school
after graduating.
Classes are small. The student-teacher ratio
is 12:1 in the lower levels and 15:1 in the upper levels.
s or grades. Instead, teachers keep a portfolio
for each student to monitor and record the student's individual development.
Alternative school
Alternative school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides part of alternative education. It is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional...
private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
in Rochester, NY. It is a member of the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools
National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools
The National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools, or NCACS, is an international organization based in the U.S. city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to promoting alternative education. The organization was founded in 1978...
and the Greater Rochester Association of Private Schools.
Overview
Cobblestone is a small school, numbering around 100 students in the Pre-K thru 8 grades. It is located on Prince Street in the former Sacred Heart Academy school building. Nearby is SOTASchool of the Arts (Rochester, New York)
School of the Arts is a progressive alternative public middle school and high school in Rochester, NY. Administered by the Rochester City School District, SOTA is located on the corner of Prince Street and University Avenue, within walking distance of the Memorial Art Gallery, Eastman Theatre,...
, a public high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
that has an emphasis on the arts, and many of the students continue on to this school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
after graduating.
History
Cobblestone School was founded in 1983, teaching children between ages 4½ and 12 years in grades pre-kindergarten through six. In 1999, grades seven and eight were added.Grades and classes
The school is divided into four age groups. Within each group, sequential grade levels are combined in the same classroom. Each student stays in the same classroom (typically with the same teacher) for two consecutive years before moving on.- Youngest Group (ages 4½-6)
- Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
- Primary Group (ages 6–8)
- 1st and 2nd grades
- Intermediate Group (ages 8–10)
- 3rd and 4th grades
- Middle Grades Group (ages 10–14)
- 5th and 6th grades (Lower Middle Grade)
- 7th and 8th grades (Upper Middle Grade)
Classes are small. The student-teacher ratio
Student-teacher ratio
Student-teacher ratio refers to the number of teachers in a school or university with respect to the number of students who attend the institution. For example, a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 indicates that there are 10 students for every one teacher...
is 12:1 in the lower levels and 15:1 in the upper levels.
Evaluation of students
Cobblestone does not administer standardized testStandardized test
A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a...
s or grades. Instead, teachers keep a portfolio
Career portfolio
Career portfolios are used to plan, organize and document education, work samples and skills. People use career portfolios to apply to jobs, apply to college or training programs, get a higher salary, show transferable skills, and to track personal development. They are more in-depth than a resume,...
for each student to monitor and record the student's individual development.