Academics (K-8)

Martha Berry believed in the power of knowledge and sought to change the lives of her students through its acquisition and application. Her enduring mission to education “head, heart, and hands,” comes to life every day for K-8 students. Following state and national standards, students learn with depth and richness, curiosity and engagement. A curriculum guided by an integrated, constructivist model of theory and practice provides students the opportunity to construct their own knowledge and apply it in new ways based on experiences in and outside of the classroom. Learning environments are designed to actively engage students in hands-on experiences that lead students to develop their own understanding and mastery of concepts.

Within Berry’s safe, secure environment, students thrive in classrooms with low adult-to-student ratios designed to help meet the needs of individual learners. Students have opportunities to explore what is possible, wonder about the world, question with curiosity and search for answers. The result is a a powerful combination - a love for learning and a strong foundation of skills. Achievement by Berry students is traditionally very high. On nationally standardized IOWA tests given each spring, Berry students typically achieve in the superior range.

The laboratory school has one classroom per grade, kindergarten through eighth grade, with an average class size of 18-20 students in lower grades and 14-16 students in middle grades. Each classroom follows a program that includes: