A Free Public Elementary and Middle School in San Antonio That’s Developing the Next Generation of Innovators Through Real-World, Hands-On Learning.

Our mission is to nurture and celebrate the inner-brilliance of every child.

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Design Principles

Being + Belonging

Being fully accepted for who you are, collectively working to overcome judgement, prejudice, and bias

Being is the importance of the here and now. It is the affirmation and acceptance that we are complete and worthy as we are. Belonging is the secure feeling between you and others in your life that you are valued and accepted. All people have the right to be fully themselves at all times and in all spaces, and to see themselves as complete and whole beings filled with a sense of connectedness, value, love, and tranquility. People also have a responsibility to honor the completeness of others by creating spaces around themselves where people can be their full selves. Being and belonging as well as identity exploration and expression are central to our school design.

Critical Consciousness

Understanding the world through awareness, action, and reflection to confront injustices

People develop a critical understanding of the world through ongoing and iterative cycles of awareness, action, and reflection. Through this, we seek to confront injustices, oppression, and biases. This approach to learning is the foundation of working towards social justice - a belief that each person’s liberation and freedom is intertwined, and that we must work in solidarity to create a world where there is an equitable distribution of opportunity, power, and privilege. It is also the foundation for connecting with nature and working towards environmental justice - the belief that our existence and survival is interconnected with nature and that we as people have an inherited responsibility to deeply understand, protect, and nurture the world in which we live. Our curriculum, pedagogy, and student experiences facilitate the development of critical consciousness rooted in awareness, action, and reflection.

Collective Capacity

Amplifying the impact you create by working together to achieve stronger, more inclusive outcomes

The impact of people who collectively work together in solidarity to create change has a far greater impact than the sum of their efforts working in isolation. History glorifies false narratives of heroes and competition. We reject the myth of the lone genius, the colonial mindset of success through domination, and the pressure of perfectionism. By leveraging each person’s inner-brilliance, collective work is inevitably stronger, more inclusive, and representative of the broader collective. It requires coexistence, cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork based on the goals defined as a collective. Our school places collaboration and collective work at the center of all student and staff experiences.

Creativity

Bringing something into existence that would have not existed without you

The art of bringing something new to the world of value is one of the most meaningful contributions we can make to our collective humanity. Each person is born inherently creative. Through creative ideation, people hone their ability to see and dismantle current paradigms, provocatively question, ideate new ways of thinking and doing, and bring those creations into existence. The creative process is beautifully messy. It uses imagination, sensitivity, ingenuity, and connectivity, and requires constant vetting of ideas and thoughts against evidence and reality. Our pedagogy creates the freedom and agency for children to develop creative ideation and grow in their creative confidence as they pursue different lines of thinking and creating.

Learning

The Gathering Place takes a whole-child approach to nurturing every student’s inner brilliance through authentic learning experiences.

Whole-Child Approach

We intentionally leverage teaching methods and practices that focus on children’s overall development, including their academic progress, thinking styles, identities, and mental, social, and emotional health.

Authentic Learning Experiences

We create opportunities for students to explore, discuss, and meaningfully construct concepts and relationships in contexts that involve real-world problems and projects that are relevant to the learner.

Nurturing Inner Brilliance

We help students develop their creativity, confidence, and sense of identity while also focusing on their academic learning.

Curriculum at The Gathering Place

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational approach that engages students in exploring real-world challenges and questions through hands-on projects. In PBL, students work collaboratively to investigate a topic, develop solutions, and present their findings, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. This method encourages active learning and helps students connect academic content to their own lives, making learning more relevant and meaningful. By focusing on inquiry and exploration, PBL not only enhances students' understanding of core subjects but also cultivates essential life skills, preparing them for future success in both academics and beyond.

Reading Language Arts - SAVVAS is grounded in scientifically-based research and tailored learning experiences, making it more effective, inclusive, and rewarding for all students. It focuses on improving reading fluency, comprehension, writing, and essential 21st-century skills. Key features include:

Daily, explicit foundational skills instruction
Science of Reading, evidence-based practices
Core reading and writing instruction
Engaging literature and storytelling
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Math - Eureka Math is a TEKS aligned comprehensive math curriculum designed to foster deep understanding and fluency in mathematics. It emphasizes a conceptual approach to learning, encouraging students to explore mathematical ideas through problem-solving, discussion, and real-world applications. The curriculum is structured in modules, each focusing on specific concepts and skills, and promotes a progression from concrete to abstract thinking. Eureka Math aims to build confident, capable mathematicians who can think critically and solve complex problems.

Social Studies & Science - Stemscopes and Social Studies Weekly. Students at TGP engage in science and social studies lessons that connect their learning to the real world. Social Studies Weekly's social studies curriculum for grades K-8 teaches students about history, civics, government, geography, and economics. The curriculum is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills and become more engaged citizens. In science, students use TEKS based lessons from the Stemscopes curriculum to explore and experience scientific concepts, while then building on their content knowledge of science and how it connects to the world around them.

The Wheelhouse is a student-centered makerspace where all students have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life through creativity and hands-on learning. Designed to emphasize the importance of the creative process, The Wheelhouse encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and the re-use of materials. It provides a safe, inclusive space where all students can explore, experiment, and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. By fostering critical thinking and constructive play, The Wheelhouse helps young makers develop skills, confidence, and a passion for creating.

Arts & Enrichment at The Gathering Place takes many forms of expression: Immersion Art & Dance, Culinary Arts, JET Lab, and Physical Education. These classes nurture creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth, making learning relevant and impactful.