Stanley Clark School Viewbook

Inspiring
Excellence
Since 1958

Students at The Stanley Clark School are
inspired toward excellence … in academics,
arts, athletics, and character. These four pillars
form the foundation of everything we do.
We take critical thinking and creativity to the next level in an
environment that nurtures accountability to self and others.
Students discover their unique strengths and passions, are encouraged
to develop those gifts, and leave ready to inspire others.
Our hands-on approach to education and focus on the development
of the entire person has helped launch more than 2,000 alumni
onto a path for success.
Excellence

Early Childhood
Preschool and Kindergarten
Early childhood students learn through
the renowned Reggio Emilia philosophy,
which celebrates children’s natural
curiosity and honors the fact that
children learn best in a context that
values student interest.
Early childhood teachers create an
atmosphere that promotes openended,
process-oriented discovery
and exploration for each child.
The Reggio Emilia inspired classrooms
at Stanley Clark are designed and
organized to facilitate student-led
learning. Comfortable rooms are filled
with accessible materials for students to
explore. The bright, open spaces are full
of natural lighting and offer a connection
to nature. Student work is documented
through thoughtful displays of the
children’s thinking and learning.

EARLY CHILDHOOD
KINDERGARTEN
STUDENTS:
Begin Spanish class
Can play the
violin or cello in
beginning strings
Partner with
4th graders in
a buddy system
Are taught by teachers
who have the flexibility
to tailor curriculum to
match student interest
PRESCHOOL
STUDENTS:
Work with specialized
artists in music, art
and movement
Gain leadership
development through
morning meetings
Develop social and
emotional skills with
free choice play
Begin lab-based
science
“Clark teaches you how to think, how to
grow, how to be the person you wish to
be, how to keep an open heart and an
open mind in new challenges, pursuits,
and discoveries.”
– EMMA SCHULTZ
SCS CLASS OF 2013
PENN HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN
CLARK
FACT
An average class
size is 14 students

EARLY CHILDHOOD
REGGIO EMILIA IN ACTION
When one of their classmates moved to
Hungary for a semester, preschool 4/5
students were excited to receive postcards
in the mail from her. The delivery sparked a
rich conversation about how the postcards
arrived. “Maybe in a box and the box was on
a boat,” Max suggested. “Or there are airplanes that carry packages.
I think that’s what happened,” Tate said. “I think it came in a mail truck,”
Dylan added. They even got out the World Atlas and used their fingers
to trace a line from Budapest all the way to South Bend.
The preschoolers examined the postcards to discover what they would
need to make their own. They noticed various aspects of the postcard
like the address and the stamp and learned the importance of each part.
Each student came up with an idea for artwork for the front of their
postcard and chose different media to create them … markers and
paper, Adobe Draw on the iPad; a few even took photos using the iPad’s
camera. Writing messages came next and they talked about the type of
things to write on a postcard. Finally, they were ready to add the stamp
and walk the postcards up front to the school mailbox.
In the weeks that followed, the students continued to explore maps,
digging through various atlases, maps, globes, and even exploring
Google Earth. They hung the World Atlas in the classroom and added
pictures to mark places of significance to them. Eventually they
collaborated in groups to draw their own maps of the classroom
before presenting them to the class.

In lower school, students gain the
foundation for academic success in a
nurturing environment where they are
challenged to do their individual best.
With a strong emphasis on hands-on
and experiential learning, students are
engaged and excited to learn.
Lower School
Grades 1 through 4
Small class sizes allow for personalized
attention and academic programming
that is developmentally appropriate
for each student. Topics are reinforced
through the use of multiple approaches
that incorporate the use of technology
and cross-disciplinary lessons.
Fine arts instruction, physical education,
as well as leadership and character
development play equal roles in educating
the entire child. Students are allotted
ample time for recess and lunch, allowing
them to develop interpersonal and
social skills.

LOWER SCHOOL
“Clark is special because it is an amazing place and is so
welcoming. All of the teachers really get to know the students
and you create friendships that will support you throughout
your middle school career. The opportunities that are given are
so diverse, and you can always find something you like to do.”
– MIA
SCS CLASS OF 2019
LOWER SCHOOL
STUDENTS:
Learn cursive handwriting
beginning in 2nd grade
Study historical and modernday
artists as they explore
art techniques
Participate in band in 4th grade
Share accomplishments and
speak in front of peers at a
Friday Gathering
CLARK
FACT
99% of our students
enroll in college

LOWER SCHOOL
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THROUGH BANKING
A six-week banking unit served as a practical, hands-on lesson to help 3rd graders
bridge the gap between abstract and concreate concepts of money. Each week, students
earned $2 in play money to “pay bills”, earn interest, or spend. Students promptly
discovered the difference between gross and net earnings when their
“take-home pay” decreased to $1.50 each week after paying rent on their
desk and paying for utilities.
Students used bank registers to track withdrawals and deposits made to the
“bank” and quickly learned the value of interest, earning 5 cents on every
dollar deposited. The registers allowed them to practice balancing, coinciding
with their math unit — introducing addition and subtraction with decimals
for the first time. The banking unit even encouraged good classroom habits. Not
completing homework, forgetting a textbook, or failing to clean up after lunch were
added expenses no student wanted to amass.
At the end of each week, students practiced what they’d learned by shopping at a
pop-up shop, organized by classroom parents. Students withdrew money from the bank
to use for shopping and determined how best to spend their money. Each student had
the opportunity to work as a banker or cashier, both requiring direct application of
new math skills to track transactions.
Not only was the banking unit a great practical lesson in math and money, but the
project supported reading and social studies curricula as well. Students studied
the history of money, reading about the minting process and how the use of money
originated following a time of trading and borrowing. A field trip to a local bank
rounded out the six-week unit, providing students the opportunity to learn about
larger bills and explore the inner workings of a bank.
“I learned about earning interest
in the bank, which I didn’t know
before. I saved money, earned
interest, and finished with the
most money overall.”
– GRIGSBY
SCS CLASS OF 2024

Middle School
Grades 5 through 8
Our middle school students graduate from
Stanley Clark prepared for success in
high school and beyond. They learn
important study skills, engage in
collaborative learning, and manage longterm
projects. A focus on interdisciplinary
projects and exploratory learning helps
students connect topics they are
studying and the world around them.
Our exemplary curriculum challenges
students to delve into a variety of
subject areas, think critically and
creatively, problem-solve, and develop
a breadth and depth of knowledge.
“Clark is truly your home from
the moment you step inside. All
the teachers get to know each
student and want to help them
in every way. ”
– SABINA (PICTURED)
SCS CLASS OF 2019
Students experience drama, visual
arts, and music as part of their regular
curriculum, as well as an extensive
athletic program that is built into
the school day. Our advisory program,
a distinguishing feature of our
middle school curriculum, provides a
comprehensive approach to character
education. Faculty advisors lead small
groups of students through discussion
and activities that promote team-building,
communication, conflict resolution,
and other social-emotional skills.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
CLARK
FACT
“My 5 oldest children have found themselves
very well prepared for their next steps after
Clark. They excelled in public speaking and
were often ahead in math, science, history,
English and Spanish. Clark taught them all
how to manage their time with sports,
homework and large projects.”
— BETH GARATONI
PARENT OF A CURRENT STUDENT
AND FIVE ALUMNI
The Stanley Clark School
draws students from
7 different counties,
with bus transportation
to multiple cities
MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENTS:
Participate in athletics
every season
Learn in fully-equipped
science labs
Partake in a semesterlong
etiquette class
Take a drama or public
speaking class each year
Study three foreign
languages
Are 1:1 with Chromebooks
“Clark is a special place because we are
taught by great teachers who help us to be
prepared, organized, creative and logical.
Every day helps shape our character and
teaches us how to be a good person. Clark
is one-of-a-kind!”
– JESSICA
SCS CLASS OF 2019
ENTERED IN 7TH GRADE

MIDDLE SCHOOL
HANDS-ON SCIENCE EXPLORATION
A science field experience in support of an
extensive research project involved a trip to the
St. Joseph River to do water quality testing.
Students pulled on their waders and ventured into
the water to collect their samples. They then tested
the pH, nitrate levels, ammonia, dissolved oxygen
content, and other chemical qualities of the river, accumulating data
for the Hoosier Riverwatch state database. In addition, they collected
a variety of macroinvertebrates.
“We practiced the water tests
in class before going on site, so
I felt well prepared and enjoyed
the process. It was empowering
and gave me the confidence to
know I could accomplish large
projects in the future.”
— JULIA (PICTURED)
CLASS OF 2019
Following the water quality testing, students embarked on a monthlong
Riverwatch research report. Students wrote a scientific paper
breaking down the details of their study, the results of their testing,
and a summary of the health of the river. The project also included a
stream site map, as well as various worksheets, graphs, and charts.
Not only did the students learn a great deal about their
environment, but this long-term project also fostered
time management, organization, and a sense of
achievement. Students learned skills they need to
move forward in their education while also showing
mastery of academic content.

Portrait
of a Stanley Clark Graduate
Our approach to educating children is intentionally
designed to support the best possible outcomes
for each young person who graduates from
The Stanley Clark School.
In addition to an exceptional foundation
in all our curriculum has to offer, our
greatest desire is that our alumni become
exceptional adults.
To this end, we keep the vision we share for
the characteristics we strive to instill in our students
through academics, arts, athletics, and character
development at the core of all we do.
PERCEPTIVE
Values excellence
Demonstrates empathy
and awareness
Establishes goals effectively
Embraces differences
INFORMED
Seeks breadth
and depth of knowledge
Applies relevant information
to problem-solve
Synthesizes new information
Manages ambiguity
Thinks locally and
globally
EMPOWERED
Leads by example
Self-advocates
Communicates with poise
and confidence
Perseveres
Calculates risk
CREATIVE
Appreciates and engages
in the arts
Explores new ideas
Discovers innovative solutions
Contributes diverse
perspectives
Pursues passions
ACCOUNTABLE
Models personal
and digital integrity
Exhibits good sportsmanship
Works well independently
and in teams
Serves community

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The Stanley Clark School is
to inspire and challenge students to achieve
excellence in academics, the arts, athletics,
and character in a nurturing environment
that fosters critical thinking, creativity,
accountability to self and others and the
discovery of each student’s strengths
and passions.
3123 Miami Street
South Bend, IN 46614
574.291.4200
www.stanleyclark.org
Accredited by ISACS
Member of NAIS
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