Our Philosophy

What is a results-oriented work school?

The Row School model is based on the results-based work environment (ROWE), where employees are evaluated based on their performance and results rather than their physical presence at work or the number of hours they work. This flexibility encourages workplace employee autonomy and agency, which is something we want to foster for our students. As a ROW school, we:
  • foster students' flexibility and autonomy
  • focus on outcomes
  • encourage students to develop a sense of accountability and responsibility
  • facilitate collaborative learning
  • iterate and improve consistently over time

How does it work?

Foster Students' Flexibility and Autonomy

We take a student-centered approach to material. What are students interested in? What assets do they bring from their families or larger home communities? How do they express themselves and what do they do outside of school that they can bring to further understanding of subjects in the classroom, with their community of peers? We want students to enter a flow state and to devote large blocks of time for uninterrupted thinking, work, and play.

Focus on Outcomes

We define clear learning objectives mapped to students' competences. We focus on quality of time rather than quantity of time spent in the classroom. Different students need different things, we use multi-tiered support strategies and individual education plans to help students achieve their goals. We focus on project-based assessment, building models or dioramas, conducting experiments, creating presentations to showcase knowledge, and building portfolios over time. We use multiple-choice assessments to clarify students' misconceptions and help improve understanding.

Develop a Sense of Accountability and Responsibility

We create learning journeys for students, putting them in control of their learning and define set milestones to foster a growth mindset. Students develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning. We encourage students to develop metacognitive skills by doing regular reflections - evaluating their own progress and identifying areas for improvement.

Facilitate Collaborative Learning

We facilitate collaborative group projects, grouping students to achieve their goals together. We employ peer feedback to create a safe and secure learning environment where students learn from one another and hold each other accountable to their self-defined learning paths.

Iterate and Improve Consistently Over Time

We co-create norms together and teach students how to conduct constructive critiques that encourage their peers to learn and grow over time in a positive and supportive learning environment. Opportunities for learning are varied and subjects are revisited often, creating multiple cognitive surface areas for learning to stick.