WHY WE EXIST
The Shepard School by ECS welcomes students from all backgrounds, demographics and cultures. By design we seek to locate in diverse neighborhoods with the greatest need for quality schools. We recognize that many of our future students come from underprivileged backgrounds and have been failed by traditional public school systems that simply cannot invest the time and resources to address their challenges. The Shepard School by ECS is here to change that narrative.
The Shepard School by ECS exists to ensure a high-quality education is accessible to every single child. We are here to challenge the status quo that has forced children to start the race of life a step behind. We are here to introduce our students to the possibilities of their future.
By removing the physical, mental, and emotional barriers that prevent our students from thriving in the classroom, we create an environment where they are able to focus on learning, and encouraged to work hard and dream big. We invest in our children early on, and give them the courage to invest in themselves.
PHILOSOPHY
At The Shepard School by ECS, we believe every child deserves a thoughtful education. Our philosophy is based off the realization that each child develops at their own pace and the educational program must be designed to support and incorporate every student’s learning needs. Award-winning research by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth found that social and emotional skills – such as learning how to apply yourself to a task and believe in the possibility of your own improvement – are bigger determinants of success than reading and math skills. By creating an environment where effort is appreciated as much as accuracy, we are teaching our students that failure is simply part of learning – and they should never stop trying.
By creating opportunities for each child to master the fundamentals of reading and mathematics through interactive learning, our children develop a passion for problem solving and conflict resolution. The Shepard School is focused on educating the “whole child,” which means we help our students grow not only academically, but also emotionally, socially, and physically.
Shepard students are capable of changing the world. It is up to us to help them get started.