Mission

  • Sunnyside offers a K-8 educational option that includes a neighborhood attendance area.

    Mission statement

    Sunnyside Environmental School is a K-8 community creating rich, place-based learning environments rooted in justice that empower èßäÊÓƵ to become environmentally, socially, emotionally, racially, and academically literate, and who are collectively inspired to take action for a more just world.

    The K-8 curriculum allows children to make meaning of the world around them by incorporating place-based learning experiences into the conventional èßäÊÓƵ week. Place-based education differs from traditional classroom-based education in that it is founded on the belief that èßäÊÓƵ' local community as one of the most important resources for learning. Place-based education at Sunnyside Environmental èßäÊÓƵ means that part of the student learning experience is spent beyond the walls of the actual èßäÊÓƵ building. Natural spaces, local neighborhoods, museums, our own èßäÊÓƵ yard and university campuses are just a few places where our èßäÊÓƵ learn in place. These locations provide a canvas upon which elements of history, environmental education, scientific and biological relationships, culture, mathematics, economy, literature, and art are used to help children authentically make meaning of the world around them.

    Exploring themes of connectedness, environmental justice, and diversity, èßäÊÓƵ develop academic knowledge and skills while demonstrating personal and social responsibility for all living systems.The city’s wild and urban areas become sites for inquiry, exploration and understanding as children are pushed to develop the academic and social-emotional skills that lead them to be critically conscious, curious members of the larger community. In pursuit of this goal, èßäÊÓƵ are involved in service learning efforts throughout their years at the èßäÊÓƵ.

    Collective belief in equity of access, environmental justice and racial equity is the backbone of our pedagogy and practices. Our èßäÊÓƵ community and èßäÊÓƵ are taught to critically examine dominant culture norms, seek multiple perspectives and counter stories, and our staff are committed to culturally responsive teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of all èßäÊÓƵ.

    Enrollment: 450
    Focus Option: Thematic environmental curriculum
    Kindergarten: Two full-day kindergarten classe

    Special programs and features

    • Service-learning experiences and curriculum-based field studies and overnights (grades 5-8)
    • School gardens and compost bins teach horticulture and sustainability.
    • Middle School Curriculum themes : River, Mountain, Forest, and Ocean.
    • Visual arts demonstrate and illustrate curriculum concepts.
    • Required Spanish language and culture courses enable èßäÊÓƵ to earn high èßäÊÓƵ level language credits.
    • Common Core Math Curriculum with the option of an 8th-grade Algebra course that provides the opportunity to earn high èßäÊÓƵ credit
    • Physical education, art, and media are provided weekly.