FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
──── FAQS
How is my child’s learning supported in a project-based school?
Rifugio Austin creates a solid foundation with a blended approach to curriculum design. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment are integrated between disciplines with a focus on student engagement and identifying and maintaining their motivation. Curriculum is developed to meet the individual needs of a wide range of abilities, interests, and talents including students with identified learning differences, as well as students ready for increased academic challenges with support and guidance from our teachers.
What subjects are taught?
Rifugio Austin does not have a one-size fits all philosophy or curriculum. Our core curriculum is developed to meet the Texas State Standards, but extends much deeper into the concepts being taught. Furthermore, our teachers follow and listen to our students about their interests to design the best programs, projects, and works available to create a student-centered, inquiry-based, and project-driven model of authentic education. Our holistic approach to education focuses on rigorous education in language arts and math through an integrated way that embraces cooking, culture and science as context and content. Students are encouraged to express themselves through the arts when doing project work.
Our teachers are passionate about what they teach and are dedicated to continually refining their practices. Teachers are the living curriculum in the classroom, focusing not only on content, but also on each individual child’s learning process. Using creativity to integrate multiple resources, our teachers deliver content that inspires active student engagement in their own academic journey. Physical Education is encouraged through daily outdoor exploration time and periodic exercise like yoga, dance and indoor gym time when the weather is harsh. Tinkering and Chess Fundamentals are our current, regularly provided after school programs.
What does a completed project look like?
Click the link to see the process and completion of an Esploratori project.
Is Rifugio Austin accredited?
We are currently in the process of completing our accreditation with COGNIA, a global network of enthusiastic professionals with the goal of enhancing schools, engaging students, and driving better outcomes for all. COGNIA helps to create environments in schools in which learning takes place freely and passionately. To learn more about COGNIA, please visit: https://www.cognia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Performance-Standards.pdf
How is my child’s learning measured?
Rather than rely exclusively on standardized tests, Rifugio Austin continuously collects different information from students using things like social and emotional skills surveys, game-based assessments, and performance or portfolio-based assessments. Furthermore, narrative reports of student’s progress, project presentations, community art shows, regular communication between student/teacher/parent, and open collaboration with all members of the community are well- documented methods of tracking each student’s progress. We strive for constant understanding of where our students stand in their holistic learning journey. We place emphasis on tracking each student’s well-being and engagement. Another alternative, The Gallup Student Poll, measures hope, engagement, and well-being. Research shows these are indicators of success, linked to grades, retention, and employment. Engagement being a measure of how connected students are to their learning environment. Research shows that at least half of long-term chances of success are determined by nonacademic qualities like grit, perseverance and curiosity.
How much time is spent outside?
Outdoor exploration for young minds is imperative in their development. There is scheduled outdoor time in the morning, after lunch, and in the after-school program. Lessons and projects are created with the outdoors in mind and implemented outdoors when possible.
How do you support students with special rights?
We believe that most learning differences can be accommodated through our school simply due to our small student:teacher ratio, personalized attention, and through the physical, mental, and emotional support given by our teachers. However, our school does not currently have the resources or capacity to handle students with serious learning or behavior disorders.
Rifugio Austin believes that everyone is unique so if you learn that your child has any given challenges that you are concerned about, please do not hesitate to contact us to have a conversation about whether we can provide a nurturing and stimulating environment and provide a good fit for your child and family culture.
What happens when my child graduates? How do they get into other schools?
In the State of Texas all public schools are required to accept our assessment reports and transcripts as an accurate and satisfactory explanation of placement for transfer to their campus.