Blog | Holy Spirit Episcopal School

3 Benefits of Small Class Sizes You May Not Have Considered

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Research has proven children learn faster and perform better in smaller classes. According to "Small Classes, Big Possibilities" published by the American Association of School Administrators, “Size matters, and small class size matters a great deal for the schooling of young children. Conclusive research has shown the benefits of class sizes of 1:15, especially in the primary grades.” The article goes on to explain, “Youngsters in small classes as compared to youngsters in larger classes obtain higher test scores, participate more in school, demonstrate improved behavior, and retain many benefits of early class-size reductions in their later years of schooling.”

While these reasons alone prove the benefit of sending your child to a school with low student to teacher ratios, there are several benefits you may not immediately think of to small class sizes.

Develop stronger relationships

Fewer students in a classroom allows teachers more time to focus on each student. Not just academically, but on students’ social and emotional wellbeing.

According to Cathy Sneedon, Fine Arts teacher at Holy Spirit Episcopal School, where the Lower School class ratios are 9:1, “Having smaller class sizes allows teachers to care for our students emotionally, physically, socially and academically so they feel safe and confident at school.” She goes on to explain, “As their educators, we are able to make adjustments in these areas for our students when necessary, where at a larger school with bigger classes they may go under the radar.”

Greater sense of community

A school with smaller class sizes allows each child to be more than another face in a sea of students. Students become an important member of the community, and teachers, faculty, and staff learn their names, routines, abilities, and interests and can help students achieve the goals they have set for themselves both in the classroom and outside of it. This sense of community also provides encouragement for students to try new things and pursue interests they may not try otherwise.

Hands-on Learning

In school’s with smaller classes, students are able to “do” rather than simply “learn”. Smaller class sizes provide the ideal environment for hands-on assignments, field trips, play-based learning, and experiential learning, allowing students to experience firsthand subjects they are learning in class. Since many students learn better by doing rather than listening to a teacher explain a new concept, hands-on activities allow students to find a learning style that best fits their needs.

At Holy Spirit Episcopal School (HSES), a private pre-K through 8th grade preparatory school providing academic excellence, leadership, and a spiritual foundation, student’s reap all the proven benefits of smaller class sizes. With student to teacher ratios at 9:1 in Lower School, HSES students develop strong connections with their peers and teachers and experience hand-on learning opportunities in every aspect of their school day. Through an academically rigorous curriculum focused on STEAM and leadership, HSES students’ test scores are well above the national average and graduates go on to achieve stellar results at high schools across Houston. As a part of the Holy Spirit community, students are encouraged and empowered to achieve more, believe in themselves, and grow spiritually.

To learn more about how Holy Spirit Episcopal School’s small class sizes can benefit your child, visit hses.org or schedule a tour of our campus.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School
12525 Perthshire Road
Houston, Texas 77024
713.468.5138
hses.org

Reading During Summer Break

Thu, 18 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

During summer break you look for ways to slow down a little and connect with your kids. Whether you have preschoolers or teenagers, reading with your children is a fun, easy, and a truly special way to accomplish this. There are so many benefits of reading with your children during the summer season:

1. Deepens Relationships

When you and your kids read together, you sit close to each other. Your children feel safe snuggling near you. They feel important with the focus just on them at that moment. No phone, no job, no chores are distracting you while you are reading together. It’s 10-15 minutes with you and your children sharing a good story. If you have older children, you can each read a book side-by-side on the couch or by the pool.

2. Shares Your Values

Reading stories and then talking about them with your children shows them what your family values are. You can discuss decisions that characters made and show what your family believes. These discussions could be about how to treat others, how to share and give, or how to react when someone has hurt you. You can share religious books to discuss what you believe and tell about your faith. Your kids can ask questions of you to learn what you believe and why. You can share how you would like them to behave. These are teachable moments establishing the roots that make up your family.

3. Develops a Love of Reading

Improving reading skills starts with the love of reading. Children learn to love reading when they associate it with good feelings and memories. When a parent models enjoyment of reading--and this means reading an actual book, not on a phone or computer--children of all ages emulate that. Set aside specific time for reading, even if it is a short period of time. If kids get into a book, they are more likely to keep reading. When children love to read, they naturally improve their reading skills and want to read more challenging texts. Let them choose what books to read and ask them questions about the book. Allow your children to talk about what they have read. Ask them what they picture is going on in a text like a mental movie. Ask them for their prediction of what could happen next, or what they think a character might be feeling. These are critical foundations for comprehension; all just from an enjoyable experience of simply reading together.

4. Slows You Down

The summer can be a hectic time with camps and travel. We fill our schedules and “to-do” lists with so much that we can forget to pause and just enjoy. When you read with your child, time slows down. You relax, your child relaxes, you breathe more easily and deeply, and you just get to be together. You get to read a story for pure enjoyment. This brings a calming effect to the entire summer break.

No matter how you spend your summer, make time to read some great books with your children, no matter what age. Let them pick some, and you share some of your favorites as a child. Surprise them with a new book at the start of each week to enjoy together. If you have older children, get a copy for each of you, and discuss the parts you like, the characters you connect with, and the questions you have. Let reading become your summer tradition.

Click the link below for a great summer reading list by grade and a Summer Reading Bingo game:

https://mcusercontent.com/3ea646d138a74d30d45d4a868/files/49c7fd70-743a-db1f-07cf-58bd64ebd416/HSES_Summer_Reading_Packet_2023.pdf

For more information on the Holy Spirit Episcopal School advanced STEAM curriculum, go to hses.org, or email admissions@hses.org for a personalized tour.

Connect to Holy Spirit Episcopal School on Facebook for more updates on HSES events.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School
12525 Perthshire Road
Houston, Texas 77024
713.468.5138
hses.org

The Benefits of a Christian Private School in Houston

Fri, 12 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

As a parent, one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child is where they receive their education. When it comes to choosing a school, there are plenty of options. However, if you're looking for a school that provides a unique educational experience that focuses not just on academics, but also on spiritual growth and character development, than a Christian private school in Houston, Texas, may be the perfect fit for your family.

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a Christian private school in Houston, TX, is the emphasis on faith. Christian private schools provide an environment that is centered on biblical principles and values, allowing students to develop a strong foundation in faith. This focus on spirituality is integrated into every aspect of the educational experience, from daily devotions and chapel services to Bible classes and service projects. Students are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with God, which can help them navigate life's challenges and develop a sense of purpose and meaning.

Christian private schools also offer a strong sense of community which allows for more personalized attention and a greater sense of belonging. Students have the opportunity to build close relationships with their peers and teachers. The close-knit community provides opportunities for service and outreach, allowing students to positively impact their local community and beyond.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School is a Memorial and West Houston Christian private school with a 60-year history of preparatory education for Kindergarten through 8th grade that provides exemplary education through hands-on learning in a nurturing environment that is equally dedicated to building good character and a strong spiritual foundation. Holy Spirit Episcopal School (HSES) offers academic excellence, spiritual growth, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community.

HSES provides an advanced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum that includes a science lab for Kindergarten through 8th grade, an illustrative problem based math program, critical and creative thinking, hands-on learning, character and confidence building, leadership development, outdoor education, signature programs, piano lessons for 3rd through 8th grade, and service projects. Holy Spirit Episcopal School incorporates detailed student assessments to determine individual learning styles and needs of students. HSES is a place every student can stand out and explore athletics, fine arts, outdoor learning, and service projects.

As a Christian private school, HSES does not require STAAR testing and does not rely on state funding that often fluctuates in public schools. HSES also has an optimal 16:1 student to teacher ratio.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School is a safe and welcoming community where students join a tightly knit family, learn in small classes, bond with teachers, and are known and valued by classmates and schoolmates across every grade level. HSES is a staging ground and a launch pad to grow in confidence, compassion, and curiosity.

HSES graduates go on to succeed at top tier private and public high schools in greater Houston. Holy Spirit Episcopal School guides Middle School families through the high school application process to help them choose their next best step.

To learn more about the Holy Spirit Episcopal School advanced curriculum and the value of a Christian private school, visit hses.org or email admissions@hses.org for a personalized tour.

Connect to Holy Spirit Episcopal School on Facebook for more updates on HSES events.

Holy Spirit Episcopal School
12525 Perthshire Road
Houston, Texas 77024
713.468.5138
hses.org