What was your favorite subject in school? Whether it’s math, art or lunch, you likely have an answer, but it’s a question students at Principia School may struggle with thanks to its innovative approach to cross-curricular lessons. Located in Town and Country, the private day and boarding school serves students in preschool through grade 12, and it’s on the forefront of changes in educational methods and techniques. Lectures and rote learning have been left in the past. Instead, the school is focused on empowering students to lead their own education through project-based and integrated learning.
Head of school Merry Sorrells, Ed.D., notes that Principia is looking toward the future of education. The landscape is constantly evolving, and a large part of that involves pushing students from being passive receptacles for knowledge to active participants. “The role of educators is transitioning away from the traditional teacher to more of a mentor position,” she notes. “Through experiential learning, students develop skills like problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity and empathy. Our goal is to ensure they not only have the tools for success but also the fluency and fluidity with these skills to thrive in a changing and unpredictable world.”
One of the ways Principia encourages Upper School students to take an active role in their education is Quests, once-a-week-meetings where they design courses with faculty assistance. Students pick the subject, determine the skillset necessary to learn it and identify the outcome they want to achieve. “They’ve covered everything from cooking to theater technology to aerospace engineering,” explains Samantha Dry, principal of the Middle and Upper Schools. “This model allows for a more natural approach to learning. Students are challenged to develop their critical thinking by acting as course designer as well as delving into a topic of interest.”
The way Principia applies this innovative approach for all grade levels can be seen in a recent third grade project, combining math, science and economics. Students were tasked with developing their own product, and inspired by the school’s beehive, they opted to sell honey. “To accomplish their goal, they had to learn how to collect honey and then market and sell it,” Sorrells notes. “Experts from the Missouri Beekeeping Association visited with students to teach them about bees, and the class designed and implemented a marketing campaign to sell the honey at our fall festival.” The students were able to invest their earnings into a new hive for the school and donated the remaining funds to a local animal shelter.
Principia allows staff and students to come together as a community through collaborative learning. By eschewing traditional classroom models, the school gives students a more active role—whether they are testing aerodynamics by designing and building “coaster cars” or recording a podcast about the justice system. “Our approach is out of the comfort zone of many schools, but it empowers students to feel more confident and independent in their education,” Dry says. “They’re still learning everything they need to prepare for college and the working world, but they’re reaching educational milestones in a more authentic way. Principia is breaking down the barriers between academics and real world application.”
Located in Town and Country, Principia School is a coeducational day and boarding school grounded on the teachings of Christian Science, serving students in preschool through grade 12. Pictured on the cover: Upper School House Captains Kinsey, J.C., Jayla and Eli take learning beyond the classroom. For more information, call 314.434.2100 or visit principiaschool.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at top: Principia students engage in integrated, hands-on learning across all levels.
Photo courtesy of Principia School
