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Outdoor studies connect us to our local community, while strengthening our students’ self-confidence, adding depth to our academic studies, and providing students with the opportunity to establish a sense of place and a deep connection to nature. We partner with local organizations that include: Lomakatsi, Lithia Park, Earth Teach, Southern Oregon University Outdoor Program, North Mountain Park, Eagle Mill Park, local, state, and national parks.

Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.

The John Muir School is fortunate to have a highly involved parent community who raise an average of $16,000 annually to fund art, music, and outdoor activities, resources, and personnel. 
Parents are essential in facilitating outdoor education trips, activities, and projects. Parents volunteer to drive students on weekly and overnight field trips. Parent and community volunteers facilitate our art electives that include music, art, knitting, Spanish, sign language, rock band, and more. Parents and staff collaborate to organize and facilitate extra-curricular events, fundraisers, and trips that strengthen and build community ties.

Our school is a family gathering place. Parents are welcome in the classrooms and often offer ideas for activities that support our curriculum. Families socialize in common areas before and after school. Families participate in our community sing, play in our band, and join in our celebratory traditions. The support of our families is invaluable.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen the ties to your community.

Outdoor studies connect us to our local community, while strengthening our students’ self-confidence, adding depth to our academic studies, and providing students with the opportunity to establish a sense of place and a deep connection to nature. We partner with local organizations that include: Lomakatsi, Lithia Park, Earth Teach, Southern Oregon University Outdoor Program, North Mountain Park, Eagle Mill Park, local, state, and national parks.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

John Muir is a small and collaborative, K-8 school founded on the principles of experienced-based education and intellectual concept construction. Through integrated units of study, outdoor education, the arts, and direct academic instruction, the children have in-depth constructivist learning experiences. 


Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement.

The John Muir School practices and curriculum are guided by the following principles of learning and community:
- Constructivist Philosophy: Children learn new concepts in relationship to previous knowledge and experience. The construction of knowledge by the child leads to comprehensive authentic learning.
- Natural Science: Children build relationships with the natural world. Interaction with the natural world supports academic growth. Stewardship becomes a part of children’s lifelong relationship with nature.
- Arts: Arts serve as the human expression of beauty, allowing children to honor and communicate their experience.
- Community: Positive social relationships are essential to a successful learning community. Small schools enhance student comfort and learning. The behavior of children indicates their emotional comfort and the community’s health.
- Teaching and Learning: The teacher’s art is to create a stimulating atmosphere and participate as a learner.


Explain how Title I funds have supported your improvement efforts.

We primarily use our Title I money to hire additional support staff and to support intervention strategies.

Identify the professional development activities you use to improve the teaching portion of the teaching and learning process.

We participate in collaborative team planning and Professional Learning Communities that focus on core subject development and the creation of school-wide units of cross-curricular study. Our staff participates in district-wide curriculum committee meetings and attends local, state, and national workshops. Our staff is given the freedom to choose the professional development activities that meet individual needs identified by teachers.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2012

• Grades: k - 8
  School Setting: suburban
  Town Population: 20
  Student Enrollment: 98
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 5%
  White/Caucasian: 78%
  Hispanic: 6%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 2%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 9%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:27
  % Reduced Lunch: 58%
  % ELL Learners: 3%
  Founded: 2006
• PRINCIPAL:
  Tiffany Burns
• CONTACT:
  100 Walker Avenue
  Ashland, OR 97520
  541-482-8577
  tiffany.burns@ashland.k12.or.us