Q. What is an integrated curriculum?

• Each class has a curriculum that the faculty has developed. Students study inquiry topics for about a month and a half and then change to a new topic. The inquiry question that they study serves as an overarching umbrella and all of the skills they learn are integrated into the exploration of the topic as much as possible.
• By using an integrated curriculum, students become engrossed in a topic that interests them while they learn new skills; students learn how to:

o Research
o Find and use resources
o Speak in front of a group
o Communicate effectively and thoughtfully through writing
o Read challenging books and glean important information
o Generate and test their own theories
o Learn to understand math in exciting, real-world ways
o Explore art and music as "languages"
o Appreciate and celebrate diversity
o Find creative solutions to problems
o Work in small groups
o Experience a myriad of leadership opportunities

Q. How are parents involved in Foothills School?

• We strive to have all Foothills parents feel welcome and involved in our school community. We depend on their talents, ideas, and energy to keep our school community vibrant.
• We encourage parents to volunteer in some way at school. We have opportunities ranging from classroom volunteers to lunch-out chaperones, from fund-raising coordinators to guest speakers.
• We do our best to model strong, working relationships between adults so that Foothills children see and learn about the close connections between home and school, trust us, feel important as individuals, and they realize that adults also have to find ways to get along and cooperate in order to live happily in the world.

Q. How are new students integrated into the community?

• Students at Foothills are extremely friendly, kind and respectful. As a larger school community, we spend a lot of time talking about the importance of respecting oneself, others, one’s community and the environment. On a class-by-class basis, teachers spend as much time teaching academics and encouraging creativity as we do on character development. Students have opportunities to create their own rules for their classes; they learn to negotiate problems and use language that encourages fair choices; and they interact with adults in meaningful and accountable ways that all contribute to creating a friendly and respectful school environment.
• Through small classes and close relationships with teachers, teachers and students get to know each other well. Teachers know what’s going on both in and out of the classroom. If problems arise, teachers are able to spend or schedule time to listen to students, find out all sides of an issue, and discuss possible outcomes to problems. It is our goal that students have the opportunity whenever possible to seek solutions and answers for themselves.

Q. What kinds of teachers does Foothills School attract and keep?

• We look for teachers who have varied life experiences in addition to rich experiences working with children. All teachers take on leadership roles within the school and many of our teachers hold advanced degrees. Teachers at Foothills are inquirers, researchers, life-long learners and are respected as experts in the larger community. They are personable, kind, fun, adventurous, committed, open-minded people. Teachers here have lots of positive energy and are devoted to bettering the lives of young people in lasting, important ways.

Q. Why do Foothills students go on Spring Trips?

• Spring Trips represent our best example of experiential learning. In the spring, K-9th graders embark on an adventure (varying in length and complexity depending on the students’ ages) to test theories, strike a balance between independence and interdependence, meet and talk with experts in the field, and extend learning outside the classroom.
• We believe that learning through doing leaves the most lasting impression. We want our students to develop a sense of themselves as life-long learners who find learning opportunities wherever they go.

Q. How do Foothills students compare with other students?

• We downplay the importance of comparing students, competition, and standardization of education. Instead, we want our students to see progress in their own learning, set high goals and expectations for themselves, and learn from each other through individualized research projects and presentations. We use photo and video documentation of student work and student portfolios to record progress over time. We also give students an opportunity to write a self-evaluation each semester and K-9th grade students lead conferences with teachers and parents to share their own learning progress.
• Rather than giving out letter grades, teachers write extensive narrative evaluations for each child, providing information about areas of strength, growth and needed growth, anecdotes, class projects, and areas in which parents can extend learning opportunities at home. Grades are optional in the Senior class, and all Nines receive grades as part of their first year of high school.
• Teachers challenge students to think critically about issues, support their ideas, and take risks in order to grow. Academically, our students develop their own love of learning and confidence in their strengths and personal growth.

Q. What benefits does your school location offer students?

• We are located in the heart of Boise’s downtown cultural district. We are right across the street from the Boise Public Library, the Boise Art and Historical Museums, the Boise River and Greenbelt, Boise State University, Zoo Boise, the Grove, Julia Davis and Ann Morrison Parks, and are within walking distance of several restaurants, where students (K-9th) go to eat on lunch-out days.
• Because the school is in an urban setting, teachers start the year off talking about safety with the students. Students learn why it is important to always stay with the group, stop at all driveways and streets and wait for a teacher to stop traffic, and what to do if a stranger approaches the group. The school believes that being aware of one’s surroundings and understanding clear guidelines will keep students safe while providing the opportunity to be connected with the larger community.