Barkhamsted Elementary School is a place of learning where teachers, administrators, parents, and the local community work together to ensure that every learner acquires the knowledge and skills that are the foundation of continuous growth and intellectual curiosity. In pursuit of this mission, we believe that:

• Engagement and active learning ensures student achievement.
• Our ultimate measures of success must encompass academic, civic, social, physical, creative, and emotional development.
• All student abilities, talents, and learning styles should be recognized, respected, and nurtured in an environment that encourages a love of learning.
• Meeting rigorous academic, personal, and social standards is expected and is everyone’s responsibility.

Long-Term District Goals

1. To systemically measure and increase the degree to which all students are engaged in meaningful, higher-order thinking and problem solving activities.
2. To improve alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment with critical 21st Century Skills and attributes.

Indicators of Success

• Community consensus on definitions and measurability of identified 21st Century skills.
• Increased time on task with 21st Century skills and tasks.
• Increased application of higher-order thinking skills activities for all children.
• Improved performance on all higher-order aligned curriculum and test item tasks.