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WHO WE ARE

We are a community of creative problem solvers learning to use our hearts and minds together. Monarch Elementary School is a free, alternative PUBLIC SCHOOL in the Santa Cruz City School District.

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Our small, family-oriented, cooperative community relies on dependable parent participation. We offer equal access to our program regardless of in-district address, ability, personal connections, and language. 

 

At Monarch, all families are welcome!

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Come learn more at our Open Houses: 

January 30th 6:30 - 8:00pm

and

February 11th 6:30 - 8:00pm 

Bell Schedule

 Lower Grades (Earth & Teirra) 

Regular Day

8:45 Opening Circle and Communication Workshops 

10:15 - 10:40 Brunch and Recess

10:40 - 12:35 Math Workshops 

12:35 - 1:00 Lunch and Recess 

1:00 - 3:00 Theme 

3:00 Pickup 

 

Minimum Day

(Wednesdays, conference weeks, and a few other days) 

8:45 Opening Circle and Communication Workshops 

10:15 - 10:40 Brunch and Recess

10:40 - 12:45 Enrichments 

12:45 Pickup 

 Upper Grades (Sea, Ocean & Sky) 

Regular Day

8:30 Opening Circle and Communication Workshops 

10:15 - 10:40 Brunch and Recess

10:40 - 12:35 Math Workshops 

12:35 - 1:00 Lunch and Recess 

1:00 - 3:00 Theme 

3:00 Pickup 

 

Minimum Day

(Wednesdays, conference weeks, and a few other days) 

8:30 Opening Circle and Communication Workshops 

10:15 - 10:40 Brunch and Recess

10:40 - 12:45 Enrichments 

12:45 Pickup 

Creek field trip.png

Active,

Hands-on

Learning

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Diversity

& Social

Justice

IMG_1992.HEIC

Active

Parent

Participation

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Authentic

Assessment

our philosophy

At Monarch Community School we believe that for a school to operate effectively, its staff, parents, and students need to have a shared educational philosophy. We believe that learning is a lifelong process, that we are all learners, (students, teachers, and parents alike), and that there are developmental stages of social and academic maturity. People learn best from hands-on experiences both individually and in multi-age groups. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we must feel safe and cared for in order to develop to our fullest potential.

Mural

Mural

Creek field trip

Creek field trip

Class circle

Class circle

Senderos

Senderos

Running

Running

Field trip

Field trip

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learning together

At Monarch, we believe that learning happens best when we are all working together, (students, teachers, and parents), to develop a rich learning environment spanning home, school, and the greater community.

 

We are committed to providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment in which students are 'constructing' their own knowledge connected to their real lives and building upon their prior experiences. We believe that students learn best when they are involved and engaged in purposeful learning in which they have:

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  • Ownership and responsibility

  • A balance of choice and direction, experience and practice

  • Knowledgeable guides (adults, parents, mentor students)

 

At Monarch, we nurture a culture of respect, where each individual works toward his or her personal best both academically and socially.

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