School isn’t only where students are educated; it’s where they spend much of their formative years. For this reason, it is imperative that parents and educators are united by a shared set of positive ideals taught at home and in the classroom. Therein lies the importance of a values-based education.
Your child experiences the benefits of a values-based education by learning from a curriculum shaped by a theme of ethical and moral principles. These values are at the core of every interaction teachers have with students, teaching your child to apply these values in all aspects of daily life.
There are many benefits of a values-based education; a values and service-based curriculum strongly aligns with a holistic approach of fostering growth so that a child cultivates qualities of discipline, honesty and respect.
What are the benefits of a values-based education?
As instructors of a values-based curriculum, we are role models for our students - a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Driven by the profound importance of a values-based education, we instill lessons of compassion and forgiveness by modeling love and care through our words and deeds.
This form of leadership is one of the central benefits of a values-based education. A student is afforded invaluable mentorship and learns from real-world examples of what it looks like to live a life of integrity.
We firmly believe all children have the potential to become leaders in their global and local communities. Setting that precedent is part of the importance of a values-based education.
An emphasis on student well-being through parent-teacher collaboration
A values-based education requires the harmonious coming together of a few key elements.
First comes a top-notch faculty that is deeply invested in your child’s growth. Next, there should be a strong partnership between faculty and parents. Such a collaboration ensures the benefits of a values-based education last long after the bell rings.
Students are exposed to a consistent set of ethical standards when parents and educators are united in their goal to nurture kind, caring human beings. Part of the importance of a values-based education is the way in which students are led to develop trust and confidence in themselves and their community.
Students learn what it means to be a global citizen
Many values-based international schools have a number of Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLO) geared to helping students become:
- Effective communicators
- Insightful learners
- Principle-centered leaders and team members
- Reflective spiritual beings and;
- Active global citizens
An “active global citizen” is someone who continually strives to understand how they fit in and contribute to the ever-changing bigger picture. This is a lifelong endeavor with many shifts and stages. Preparing students for this lifework is another one of the benefits of a values-based education.
A global citizen is optimistic for the future, even when faced with adversity. They are eager to hone their unique set of talents and gifts so that they may one day offer them up in service and teach others to do the same. In a values-based curriculum, they learn to do this through a hands-on experiential learning environment not found within a traditional setting.
Development of essential life skills
Children taught through the lens of a values-based philosophy are often more resilient and empathetic to the needs of others.
Thanks to the benefits of a values-based education, a student succeeds because they have been equipped with the right tools - mentally, physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually - so they may embody a spirit of peace, love and compassion no matter where their life path takes them.
