Staff and Scheduling
The teachers and principal of Polaris have been selected on the basis of their personal passion for learning and teaching, understanding of the needs of high ability learners and expertise in curricular areas. Polaris at Ebert is staffed for single grade classrooms, K-5, PE, Music (vocal and instrumental), Art, Library, Technology and Special Education. There is one Advanced Kinergarten class, two classes each of first through third grades and three classes each of fourth and fifth grades. Classes determine their scheduling of literacy and math on the basis of their specials schedules. Mornings are often devoted to rigorous language arts and integrated thematic studies. Many math blocks are taught after lunch. Experiential science instruction based on inquiry is ongoing through the year, culminating in a marvelous science fair celebration. The arts are both woven into classroom thematic units and taught by arts specialists during weekly specials classes: art, creative movement, drama, library, technology and vocal music.