Monarch believes that learning happens best when all are working together, (students, teachers, and parents), to develop a rich learning environment spanning home, school, and the greater community. They are committed to providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment in which students are ‘constructing’ their own knowledge connected to their real lives and building upon their prior experiences. They believe that students learn best when they are involved and engaged in purposeful learning in which they have: • Ownership and responsibility
• A balance of choice and direction, experience and practice
• Knowledgeable guides (adults, parents, mentor students)

At Monarch, they nurture a culture of respect, where each individual works toward his or her personal best both academically and socially.

What follows are descriptions of the Guiding Principles and Practices that are rooted in Monarch’s assumptions about learning and bring its hilosophy to life. They are generally broken down into three component areas: 1) Social-Emotional Curriculum, 2) Academic (cognitive) Curriculum, and 3) Shared Governance/Community Relationships.