The Benefits of a Multi-age classroom

At Torah Academy, children learn in multi-age classes by design. Here’s why:

Individualized Learning Opportunities

Typically, within any grade, students are at varying levels of understanding and mastery. A two-year grade span in one classroom affords children a broader range of enrichment or support, based on their individual learning needs. This is accomplished organically as each child is given opportunities to be intellectually stimulated at their level of ability and encouraged to grow beyond their status quo without an external time table.  This type of differentiated instruction provides advanced study for children who are gifted and support for those who need more review.

Fosters creativity and innovation for teachers

Teachers who have the same students for consecutive years have opportunities to revisit curriculum and present topics and skills in new ways.  Teachers are then able to be mindful about how to reach each student and maintain an open-ended classroom filled with enrichment and encouragement. 

Continuity of skills and relationships

At the start of a new school year, teachers need time to get to know their students – their unique personalities, academic abilities, and general interests.  When students are with a teacher for a two-year span, the getting-to-know-you stage has already been accomplished for students who have been with the teacher the year before, so they are all ready to jump right in where they left off in the spring.  The teacher can then form positive relationships with and clarify expectations for the new children entering his/her class, enabling all students to dive in to their learning adventures more quickly and efficiently.