The Small School

What is a “homeschooling alternative”?

The Small School serves homeschool students in Northern New Mexico, and online, but rather than having parents as the primary, often traditional, source of education, TSS offers an alternative for busy families, inexperienced home-educators, or those looking for more from their homeschool experience. All of TSS’s students are enrolled as homeschool students through the state, but receive the majority of instruction from our extensively qualified and professional educators. All of our courses are aligned with state and grade-level standards, yet surpass this small scope of reference to immerse our students in coursework beyond the parameters that can typically be offered by public and private institutions.

What are “classical roots”?

Classical education has its roots in ancient Greece & Rome and to this day is a philosophy of education found in some of the most pre-eminent schools around the world. Such a mode of education is intended to make the student “free,” as in having virtue and an independence of mind. Classical education focuses on the liberal arts of the trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. With an equal emphasis on natural sciences, mathematics, history, fine arts, and literature, a classically rooted education empowers students to apply themselves diligently to any course of study. This capacity is a precious skill in today’s world, allowing students to respond successfully to the constant fluctuation of job markets, technological advances, and the need for transferable skills.

What is “relational and holistic education”?

Relational education focuses on the teacher-student relationship as the primary indicator of success in a student’s educational journey. It emphasizes dialogue, narrative inquiry, and relationship building. The student becomes invested in the teacher as a reliable guide towards discovery and truth. It is this foundational relationship that forms a scaffolding of trust so that the student, especially when challenged, understands their unique responsibility as an equal participant in the educational experience. In combination with an emphasis on relationship building, a holistic education is a teaching method that considers a student’s physical, emotional, and mental abilities in equal measure to their academics. Holistic education helps the educator challenge and support students in individualized ways by integrating subjects of personal interest, focusing on executive functioning skills, preparing students for real-world challenges, and helping students become more resilient, empathetic, and collaborative.