Tag: school

Cross-Age Learning in Action

Saklan’s cross-grade learning was on full display as the Owlet buddies and fifth graders came together for a hands-on science experience rooted in their respective Project Based Learning (PBL) units. The Owlets have been exploring leaves, while the fifth graders have been studying trees—making their recent research on Redwoods the perfect launching point for peer teaching.

The fifth graders were tasked with becoming “experts” on several big questions the Owlets had been wondering about: the difference between evergreen and deciduous leaves, why leaf colors change, and how fallen plant matter breaks down and becomes soil, including the important role earthworms play in decomposition.

Students worked in teams with real focus and purpose. They were given 45 minutes to choose a topic and collaborate on a mini-presentation that was both accurate and engaging. Each group created a visual or hands-on element to support their teaching. Another 45 minutes were spent practicing, presenting to peers, and refining their work with the help of candid “Dancing with the Stars-style” feedback. The growth from practice to final presentation was remarkable.

When it was time to meet with the Owlets, the fifth graders were ready. Their presentations were clear, lively, and thoughtfully geared toward 3- and 4-year-old learners. The Owlets eagerly leaned in, asking big, earnest questions such as, “Do worms have eyes?” and “Is that the head or the tail?” Fifth graders knelt beside tiny tables, held leaves up for close inspection, and invited younger students to touch, compare, and wonder.

Not only did the Owlets gain new insights through this joyful experience, but the fifth graders deepened their own understanding by explaining complex scientific ideas in simple, accurate ways—a skill that strengthens mastery and confidence.

Saklan’s PBL focus continues to create meaningful opportunities for students of all ages to learn with and from each other, building both knowledge and community along the way.

#SaklanProjectBasedLearning #SaklanGuestExperts

Head’s Corner: Connection + Agency = Exceptional Academics

I have never been a fan of standardized testing, mostly because it is often used to focus on the wrong way to approach learning. Standardized testing is used to promote the lie that high achievement comes from drilling content or teaching to the test. Saklan presents a counterargument. Our approach of doing school differently produces exceptional results, not because we chase scores, but because we prioritize two powerful drivers of learning: connection and agency.

People learn best from those with whom they have a genuine connection. In an previous blog, I shared a quote from David Brooks’s, “Students learn from people they love.” At Saklan, “love in learning” comes first. Teachers know and care for their students deeply, not only as learners but as whole individuals. That trust provides the foundation for intellectual risk-taking, perseverance, and curiosity. Connection isn’t a “soft” factor—it’s an accelerator of academic achievement.

Equally important is student agency—the belief that students should have a meaningful voice and choice in their education. Agency shifts learning from something done “to” students to something done “with” them. When students are trusted as co-authors of their education, they engage more fully, reflect on their growth, and take pride in their accomplishments. In our classrooms, this takes the form of Project Based Learning, where student questions and curiosities drive inquiry, and ownership fuels motivation.

When connection and agency are at the center of a school’s culture, exceptional academic results follow naturally. Our MAP scores offer external validation of what we witness daily: students who are not only mastering content but also developing resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong love of learning. The data is proof of concept—showing that deep relationships and authentic student engagement are not at odds with academic rigor; they are the very things that create it.

Too often, schools measure success by numbers alone, forgetting the human conditions that allow those numbers to flourish. The lesson from Saklan’s experience is clear: emotional connection and student agency are not “nice to haves” but the key ingredients to a strong academic program.

#HeadsCorner

My Day as Head of School

Today I got to do something really special—I was Head of School at Saklan! From greeting families in the morning to handing out popsicles in the afternoon, the experience gave me a new way to see our school and helped me realize just how much I love being a Saklan student.

The day started bright and early with carline. I stood out front, smiling, waving, and helping students out of their cars—just like David does every morning. One of the best parts of the morning was getting to greet Penny, Vivi’s golden retriever, who came to school that day. She trotted right up to say hello and gave everyone a happy start to their morning.

I also visited classrooms and saw what students were learning. One of the coolest things I saw was the work the Hoot Owls and Owlets did for their Bug PBL Culmination earlier this week. Their projects were amazing!

Later, I surprised my class with a pizza lunch—everyone was really excited about that! And at the end of the day, I made one last big decision as Head of School: extra recess and popsicles for everyone!

Being Head of School for a day was very fun. It showed me how special Saklan is—not just because of pizza and popsicles, but because of the people, the learning, and the way we do things differently.

Here are my five favorite things about Saklan:

  1. PBL (Project Based Learning): Our projects are always fun and interesting. This year I really liked our Indigenous Peoples PBL. Last year, we did one on Adaptations, and in first grade, our Homes PBL was so much fun!
  2. Field Experiences: I love how we go on lots of cool field experiences. Some of my favorites were to Meredith’s Garden, the Pioneer Schoolhouse, and Chabot Space Center. I can’t wait for Coloma next year!
  3. Kind and Encouraging Teachers: Our teachers are always there to help us and cheer us on. They make learning fun and support us when we need it.
  4. Creative Students: The kids at Saklan are really creative. I see it in art, writing, and the cool ideas people have during class projects.
  5. Coach Rob: He’s the best! PE is always fun with Coach Rob. He teaches us to play fair, try our best, and work together as a team.

It was a great day.

Warmly,

Ruby

Alumni Corner: Harrison Leenhouts

Harrison Leenhouts, a member of the Saklan Class of 2019, is currently a sophomore at Colby College, double majoring in Philosophy and Economics with a concentration in financial markets. He shared that he continues to rely on the core values he learned at Saklan—curiosity, courage, and community—principles that have shaped both his academic and personal growth.

At Colby, Harrison balances his studies with athletics as a recruited member of the varsity men’s lacrosse team while also staying active with the club climbing team. His interest in finance has led him to join two student-run investment clubs, where he has gained valuable real-world investing experience. Beyond academics and sports, he enjoys rock climbing, spinning pottery, and teaching himself Dari—a language he has been fascinated by for some time.

Recently, Harrison accepted an offer to join Goldman Sachs’ growth equity team in New York as a summer intern for 2026. This achievement marks the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, and he is thrilled for the opportunities ahead.

Reflecting on his journey, Harrison credits Saklan with helping him develop the ability to work collaboratively, stay adaptable, and push through challenges—skills that continue to serve him well today. He is grateful for the strong foundation Saklan provided and looks forward to the next chapter in his career.

We are incredibly proud of Harrison and celebrate his accomplishments, knowing he will continue to make a meaningful impact in all he pursues!

Saklan loves staying connected with our alumni and celebrating their journeys! If you or a Saklan alum in your family have an update to share, we’d love to hear it! Keep us posted on your adventures, achievements, and milestones—we’re always proud to see where life takes our graduates!

Classroom Jobs

Jobs at school can help students build a sense of excitement, community, and interdependence. Tasks such as putting up the flag, cleaning the tables after lunch, or being the class helper give students the opportunity to exercise and practice decision-making and reasoning. They also give students a chance to be responsible in a meaningful way: the children know that completing their jobs helps their school, classmates, and/or teachers.

Upon returning to school in January, the Hoot Owl teachers noticed how much the students had matured since the beginning of the year and decided they were ready to take on more responsibility in the classroom. As part of a new project unit on cleaning, the class brainstormed ways to help keep their classroom clean. From that list came new classroom jobs that the students will take turns doing each week for the remainder of the year.

To kick off their jobs work, the class worked on a big cleaning task together – cleaning all the chairs in their classroom. Using buckets of soapy water and sponges, the students scrubbed down their chairs. They noticed that the water in the buckets didn’t look so clean when they were done, so we know the Hoot Owls did a great job of cleaning the chairs! After the chairs were scrubbed, they were rinsed off using the hose, and then students dried them. Some of the Hoot Owls took such pride in their work that they wanted to make sure the chair legs were shining!