know of a great school for alternative learning styles? (Denver: elementary school, professionals)

[Solshine]

Hi there,

My son is in 4th grade and just drowning in his school in South Denver CCDS. They are very test-centered and we just have to get out. I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge about schools that focus on alternative learning styles, focus more on authentic learning and less on test knowledge? We have tried to get into RMSEL, but alas, didn't get a spot... AGAIN. Specifically, NO EVERYDAY MATH!

I would really appreciate any guidance! I am new to the area and just don't know where to begin, but I am willing to travel to get him where he needs to be!

Distressed mom.

[stephanieX3]

Waldorf

[Dorthy]

You could try the Denver Green School. They don't use Everyday Math.
Denver Green School | About Us

A new expeditionary school is opening downtown this fall so it may be easy to get into, since it's brand new.
https://www.facebook.com/The.DDES.Difference

Jefferson County Open School might be a long drve but if you're willing to travel, maybe it would be worth checking out.
Jefferson County Open School

Kunsmiller Creative Academy:Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy | Denver Public Schools

Everyday Math is very common around here, I'm not sure that you can avoid it at most public schools but there are some, like the Green School, that don't use it.

[davidv]

Unfortunately, teaching to the tests has become a way of life. It is likely to become more ingrained into the school culture as a result of SB-191, which requires teachers to be evaluated every year with 50% of the evaluation being tied to students' standardized test scores. In other words, teachers' jobs will depend heavily on student performance on standardized tests.

[bhcompy]

EM seems to be the standard in the Denver area. It was one of the issues I brought to districts when I did school visits about 5 years ago. If your child is specifically having problems with math, try finding a Kumon center for supplemental education. They teach the way you most likely learned as a kid(a firm core of repetition followed by a little more repetition until you master it and can recite multiplication tables in your sleep), and it's paced based on results rather than timeframe. I put my son through it and it helped tremendously.

[alliern]

Two of my sons are in a Jefferson County Elementary school. They use Investigations for math along with another worksheet/workbook called Math's Mate. Their school also has extension rooms that are staffed by paraprofessionals that either help kids that are struggling in math or push the advanced kids even further. I do have a friend whose son moved from our school to one in the Douglas Co. school system and she was always complaining to me about the Everyday Math and saying that Investigations was much better. I hope you get it figured out for your son. I know it can be so frustrating!