Making Every Minute Count
How WHPS Maximizes Learning Time and Engagement
Time spent learning is one of the most valuable resources we can give our students. While public schools often face disruptions like weekly early-out days, minimum days, and extended breaks, WHPS maintains a steady and reliable schedule. This consistency allows us to dedicate meaningful time to core academics and a robust enrichment program, including Spanish, Music, PE, Technology, and Animal & Nature Studies.
A recent Stanford University study found that schools with more instructional time can achieve up to 1.5 additional years of learning compared to those with less consistent school days. Consistent, well-used time at school can have a tremendous impact on long-term outcomes. At WHPS, we make every minute count, providing rich, engaging, and purposeful learning experiences that set students up for success.
How WHPS Keeps Students Engaged and Growing
Consistency alone isn’t enough; it’s how we use the time that makes the difference. At WHPS, we create dynamic learning environments that keep students motivated and deeply engaged:
1. Teaching at Their Highest Level of Interest
In Preschool, we use an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum that embeds essential skills into thematic studies based on topics students are most curious about. By tapping into their natural interests, learning becomes meaningful and exciting.
2. Building Stamina in Lower Elementary
For younger students, we focus on helping them build focus and stamina for tasks like reading, writing, and executive functions. Students set goals, graph their progress, and celebrate milestones—keeping the process fun, upbeat, and motivating as they learn to stretch their time on task.
3. Interactive Modeling
Teachers use interactive modeling to demonstrate classroom routines, behaviors, and academic skills clearly and step-by-step. This approach minimizes confusion and wasted time, ensuring students understand expectations and can transition smoothly to learning tasks. Over time, this means less reteaching and more effective learning.
4. Encouraging Reflection and Goal Setting
From TK through 5th grade, students reflect regularly on their work habits and progress, setting meaningful goals for themselves. Tools like leadership notebooks and student-led conferences help students take ownership of their learning and develop a sense of pride in their achievements.
5. Building a Positive School Culture
A supportive, positive school culture ensures students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. By focusing on relationships, classroom community, and clear expectations, we minimize disruptions and create an environment where students can focus and thrive.
Upper Elementary: Designed to Maximize Learning
Our 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th-grade homerooms are intentionally designed to ensure consistency, continuity, and engagement. Combined with teacher looping, this model provides unique advantages:
Stronger Teacher-Student Relationships: Teachers stay with the same students for two years, building trust and deeply understanding each child’s unique needs. This consistency minimizes lost instructional time and allows for highly personalized teaching.
Deeper Learning Experiences: A two-year curriculum cycle gives students the opportunity to explore rich, collaborative projects, such as studying immigration or the American Revolution, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and independence.
Seamless Transitions: Continuity with the same teacher eliminates the time spent re-establishing routines and expectations, enabling students to focus on learning with confidence and momentum.
How Parents Can Help: Every Minute Counts
Parents play a vital role in helping students get the most out of their time at school. Here’s how you can support your child:
Arrive On Time: Being on campus well before 8 AM ensures your child starts the day smoothly and doesn’t miss key moments like:
Morning Meeting: A critical time to set the tone for the day, help students connect, and prepare for what’s ahead.
Classroom Routines: Punctuality prevents disruptions for your child and their peers, ensuring a strong start to the day.
Foster Independence at Home: Encourage your child to follow multi-step directions, complete age-appropriate tasks independently, and build self-management skills.
Partner With Us: Attend our free Parent MasterClasses, which are designed to bridge what we’re doing at school with what you can do at home. These sessions provide practical tools and strategies to set children up for greater personal and academic success.
A Steady Foundation for Lifelong Success
At WHPS, we combine a consistent schedule with intentional strategies to maximize engagement and learning time. From our emergent curriculum in Preschool to our multiage homerooms in Upper Elementary, we ensure that every moment counts.
By fostering curiosity, building stamina, implementing interactive modeling, and creating a positive school culture, WHPS provides an environment where students:
Build strong, trusting relationships with teachers and peers.
Engage in meaningful, personalized instruction.
Develop independence, focus, and critical thinking skills that prepare them for middle school and beyond.
At WHPS, every minute truly counts. By combining consistency, engagement, and partnership with families, we ensure that students thrive—not just for today, but for the future.
