Announcements & Articles
The Importance of Environmental Education
We have all heard the refrain that our obligation as a society is to leave behind a better world for our children. In a world that will be inherited by our children, it would seem that the best way to ensure a better, healthier planet is to equip today’s youth with the knowledge and leadership skills to meet tomorrow’s environmental challenges. This requires parents taking an active role in educating the next generation. Our commitment to providing children with an environmental education will help them become environmental citizens that will be the thought leaders of tomorrow. Nurturing a...
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Teaching Impulse Control in a Instant Gratification Society
Is teaching impulse control to our children an exercise in futility given society’s undeterred march toward instant gratification? As consumers, we don’t only demand faster — we expect it like it is a divine right. We groan in frustration when a website takes a couple of seconds to load. We complain if retailers don’t provide same-day service, or if our movie buffers while streaming. Technology is bettering our lives, yet experts caution that society’s compulsion toward instant gratification may come at a price: it is making us less patient. We are unwilling to wait — and our children are...
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Who We Are
The Growing Room Education Council in collaboration with parents and The San Ramon Valley Unified School District, has created the most comprehensive after-school program in the East Bay. As a California non-profit Organization, we specialize in social development, academic enrichment and emotional support to school-aged children in the community.
The Growing Room's proven 'NextGen' Curriculum supports and augments classroom learning by applying concepts taught in school to real-world projects where students are encouraged to freely discover, design and develop solutions in small teams.
We survey our families annually to see how we score in overall parent satisfaction. The results speak for themselves!
Our Curriculum
The Growing Room's NextGen Curriculum is the framework for true school-age collaboration and problem solving in the real world. NextGen is influenced by our Curriculum Specialists. It is a fun and creative way for students to prepare for their futures in a variety of sessions including STEAM, Electives, Fitness Fusion, Homework Lab and Weekly Showcases.
STEAM Sessions allow students to apply Science and Art/Design principles utilizing technology in either challenging projects or free-form tinkering projects. Mentor Teachers work with older students to plan STEAM lessons for younger students.
Elective Sessions allow our students to specialize in skills and talents that interest them by choosing sessions focused around Community Service & Character Building, Language & Culture, Literature/Creative Writing/Book Club, Public Speaking & Debate, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health & Nutrition and Environmental Studies.
Fitness Fusion provides an integrated approach to overall wellness by building strength, flexibility and endurance with daily access to Sports & Organized Games, Yoga, Challenges, Cheer & Dance, and Aerobic Exercise sessions focusing on Health & Nutrition.
Homework Lab provides specialized after school homework support for our students. We collaborate with elementary school teachers to support assigned work and projects as well as to identify special student needs and effective teaching strategies. Chromebooks and iPads are available for use during Homework Lab.
Weekly Showcases are our way of recognizing the hard work of our students. Students are given the opportunity weekly to showcase what they have been working on in our popular Art Exhibits, Science Fairs, Cheer or Dance Performances, Movie Screenings and Concerts.
*Only at The Academy, our special Pre-School Program is for ages 2 and up. It fosters enthusiasm and a love of learning at an early age! Essential learning experiences help prepare children to become successful kindergarten students with individual attention for each student. Learn more
*Only at The Academy, KinderPrep is so much fun for children ages 3-5. Built around the STEAM curriculum, we have a specially designed enrichment areas and curriculum, small class settings, meaningful learning experiences, and exceptional teaching practices. Learn more
Our Staff provides specialized after school homework support for our students. We collaborate with elementary school teachers to aid in assigned work and projects as well as to identify special student needs and effective teaching strategies. Chromebooks and iPads are available for use during Homework Lab. Learn more
STEAM Sessions (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) allow students to apply Science and Art/Design principles utilizing technology in either challenging projects or free-form tinkering projects. Mentor Teachers work with older students to plan STEAM lessons for younger students. Learn more
Fitness Fusion gets kids outside though and an integrated approach to overall wellness by building strength, flexibility and endurance with daily access to Sports & Organized Games, Yoga, Challenges, Cheer & Dance, and Aerobic Exercise sessions focusing on Health & Nutrition. Learn more
Elective Sessions are all about flexibility. Our students can specialize in skills and talents that interest them by choosing sessions focused around Community Service & Character Building, Language & Culture, Literature/Creative Writing/Book Club, Public Speaking & Debate, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health & Nutrition and Environmental Studies. Learn more
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