Do they really work?
Multi-age classrooms are the normal practice in small schools. Teachers focus on where each child is at, as teaching to the ‘average’ just won’t work in a multi-age class. Grade level is still important, as it informs teachers as to the curriculum that needs to be taught and the standard that needs to be meet. Multi-age teachers focus on ability levels and skill development, adjusting instruction to need rather than solely age expectation. This makes extension or additional learning experiences just a natural part of the day.
This makes us specialists in differentiation, well versed in curriculum demands, and strongly focused on pedagogy (the way teachers teach).
We tend to have smaller class sizes, higher teacher aide support and easier parental accessibility than do larger schools.