Looping is an important part of the educational process at Community School. Our students often stay with the same teachers and peers, or at the same level, for multiple years, and this is intentional.
Why we loop: Looping creates a stable, familiar environment where students feel comfortable with routines and expectations, which supports academic success. Teachers build deeper relationships with students and families over time, allowing them to individualize instruction more effectively.
What looping looks like at CS: Students may remain at a given level for up to three years depending on their individual needs. Our programs are generally organized by age range: Preschool (ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (ages 5-7), Middle Elementary (ages 6-8), Upper Elementary (ages 8-10), and Middle School (ages 10-14). Middle school students typically move through four years, with the final year known as the Seminar class. They also keep the same advisor, providing a consistent, trusted relationship at the center of their middle school experience.
How placement decisions are made: Each year, teachers carefully consider every student’s academic progress and social-emotional growth when building class lists. Students benefit from both joining a group as someone new and growing into a leadership role as they loop. Because we assess each child individually, placement decisions are always based on what students need and where we think they will thrive for the year ahead.