- Vibrant, Multi-Ethnic Neighborhood - Dearborn is located on Beacon Hill and has a richly diversified student population. Most of our families are of Asian or African descent, including Chinese, Filipino, Laotian, Somalian, Tongan and Vietnamese. Other cultures represented in our student body include Latino and Eastern European. We celebrate our ethnic diversity in multicultural assemblies evey month and in family events such as our Festival of Lights in December and our Multicultural Dinner in May.
- Award-Winning SCATS and Dance Teams - All students have opportunities to try out for our award-winning SCATS (acrobats) team and a number of dance performance teams. These students perform regularly for school, district, and community events.
- Exceptional Faculty - We have a great team of experienced teachers who specialize in teaching English Language Learners. Our teachers are involved in professional development activities on an ongoing basis to sharpen their skills and keep up with the latest in educational research. We also have a nationally certified teacher on our staff.
- Technology-Rich Environment - Our school is a “Mac” school, with Apple Macintosh computers in every classroom and a fully equipped lab. Fourth and fifth grade students receive 1 1/2 hours in the lab every week; primary students, including kindergartners, receive one hour of lab instruction per week.
- On-Campus Children's Forest and Alder Wetlands - Our beautiful campus is adjacent to the Dearborn Children's Forest and includes a protected alder wetlands area. Students have many opportunities to study these two distinct ecosystems.
- Hands-On Environmental Education and Stewardship - Teachers work closely with a number of community partners to facilitate environmental education and stewardship. Our students respect and learn to care for the natural world.
- Numerous School-Community Partnerships - Please click on "Community Partners" on the index to the left to see all thecommunity organizations and government agencies that provide hands-on support for our school. Our students benefit directly from all the adults in the community who teach them and become involved in their lives.
- Advanced Learning Opportunities Program - Our unique program for advanced learners identifies students in several categories who could benefit from above-grade level instruction and places them in a classroom environment where they are challenged to work to their full potential. Our program is structured to provide rigorous instruction not only in advanced learning classes but in every classroom.
- Two Full-Day Kindergartens - Kindergarteners are busy learning classroom routines, calendar skills, colors, and beginning phonics skills for reading.
- Low Student-to-Teacher Ratio - We have kept our student-to-teacher ratios low for effective instruction.
- Combined Balanced Literacy Program and Phonics Instructional Program - Students participate in whole groups and small group instruction to accelerate their learning. Word studies in phonics, vocabulary and spelling plus comprehension instruction is the central focus in our literature rich environment..
- Everyday Math and Singapore Math - Comprehensive math programs to meet the needs of all learners.
- Inquiry Based, Hands-On Science (NSF) - Three times a year, the National Science Foundation provides teachers with supplies to teach hands-on science units. Students explore a subject in depth while the teacher encourages questions and further exploration.
- Gymnastics and Music/Dance Instruction - Dearborn's award-winning SCATS and dance programs begin with regular, basic instruction starting in kindergarten physical education and music classes.
- Performing Arts Opportunities - Kindergartners may try out for Dearborn's performance teams and also have opportunities to perform in school assemblies and family events. All kindergartners take part in a class play each Spring.
- Enriched Environmental Education - In association with our many community partners, students have opportunities to explore such topics as local ecosystems, native plants, the salmon life cycle, and medicinal uses of plants.
- Instruction in Computer Skills - Even kindergartners can learn the basics of important software applications such as Microsoft Word, Hyperstudio, Kidpix, and Kidspirations, providing a solid foundation for more advanced work in the higher grades.
- Multi-Cultural Education and Activities - Classes present ten assemblies a year honoring different cultures. Students perform poems, songs, and dances centered around a particular culture each month, and also have opportunities to perform at family multicultural events.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 08, 2008