Interchange Practical School favors certain words
which may seem awkward at first. These
words are chosen to promote and clarify our philosophy. First and foremost, our name describes our
philosophy.
Interchange. An interchange on a freeway is the place
where different streams of traffic come together and go their separate
ways. From an interchange, you can
travel in any direction. At an
interchange you will meet others from all corners of the earth. Your path, however, is still your own.
Practical.
Learning is only meaningful when put into
practice. Learning without purpose is
waste. Moreover, when a scholar can
experience the purpose of what they are learning, the scholar will learn more
completely. Therefore, Interchange
Practical strives to provide practical experiences wherever possible.
School.
A school is a way of thought. Here the students will learn manners, morals,
and motives consistent with Interchange Practical School. These will not leave them as they continue on
in life. It is not a place apart. We are very much in the world.
We use certain other terms
preferentially.
Scholar. A scholar is a person who is a part of
a school. While the term “student” is
popular today, such a term encourages children to believe in study for study’s
sake. This is contrary to an effective
education.
Coursework. Homework implies
that these things are to be done at home. Home is a place for family life, not
overly burdened by outside dictates.
Parents correctly learn to leave their work problems at the office,
while most schools require children to bring such things home. This is setting them up for a life of
conflict. We say,
the work should all be done here, in school.
In school, we create optimum conditions for doing this work. We have furniture and lighting which is
designed to help. The other scholars are
there, also in the same courses, and they can provide help immediately. Upperclassmen are available at all times to
help with class work. The instructor will have office hours, and community
volunteers will be there to help. Any
needed materials will be on hand. When the
scholars return home, it is to their family life.
Upperclassmen. We allow scholars to sign up for any course
they are ready for. Age is not a
factor. Having completed the course, the
scholar remains responsible for the material.
Therefore, we may have a situation where a six year old is helping a ten
year old with coursework. We, therefore,
use the term “upperclassman” to refer to scholars who are responsible for a
course. They have completed it and now
are upperclassmen in that subject. A
great deal of learning happens after the final exam, as the scholars continue
to be responsible for the material.
The Four Ms. The four Ms are, in no particular order,
manners, motives, morals, and means.
Children are
hungry to learn theses four things. Manners are how we show respect to
others. Motives are the reasons and
purposes which allow us to form meaningful goals. Morals are the limits which constrain how we
achieve our goals. Means are the abilities needed to accomplish our goals.