Frequently Asked Questions

Campus School FAQs

• about why to choose Clonlara
• about how the campus school is organized
• about qualifications, accreditations and diplomas
• about daily operations and rules

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY TO CHOOSE CLONLARA

Why would a student choose Clonlara?

Small class size. Friendly, inclusive environment.  Vibrant and flexible multi-age learning community.  Quality of staff time and attention.  Frequent field trips.  Holistic approach to education:  We do not limit our attention and instruction only to academic needs.  We accommodate many varieties of learning and are particularly adept with a hands-on approach.

What makes Clonlara unique among private schools?

The curriculum does not precede knowing the students: it is shaped to the needs of the learners who enroll.  And there is more time spent exploring our local environment than any other school in the area!

How many students attend Clonlara?

Our total 2008-2009 campus school enrollment was 35 students.  In 2010-2011 enrollment was up to 43 students. 

How many grades are there?

Our student range from age five to high school graduation, traditionally a K-12 program.  Students are grouped according to age:  Our Youngers program is comprised of students 5-10 years old; our Middles Program is student who range from 10 to 14 years old and our Olders Program (our high school) is students age range 15-18 years old.

How many staff members are there?

Generally, there are three head teachers (one for each program - Youngers, Middles, Olders) and 3-4 adjunct instructors.  Class sizes are always small.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE CAMPUS SCHOOL IS ORGANIZED

What is the curriculum like?

Curriculum planning begins with assessing every learner in the building. This is done on and on-going basis, including getting to know the student during the enrollment process.  Once we know skills, challenges and interests of our students, we can create a class schedule based on that information.  It includes the core academic areas: math, language arts, science and social studies.  It also reaches beyond fundamental knowledge and skills to problem solving; critical thinking; independent study work; cultural literacy, research, community service and play.  Field trips are also an important part of the Clonlara curriculum:  every student gets to know the Ann Arbor community and explore its recreational, academic and cultural resources. 

Since you don't have a separate room for every grade, how are classes divided?

By age.  Students of the same age are grouped together as Youngers, Middles and Olders for their home base.  They may, however, share the classroom with other students - the classes students take are dependent on the skills they need to develop.  This may mean a student is 10 years old and studying Algebra I - it may mean they are 15 years old and studying Pre-Algebra.  Activities that involve the whole school are regularly schedule; we believe that students have a lot to teacher each other.

Does Clonlara give grades and standardized tests?

Grades are given in individual classes in the Olders program and are reported at the end of each semester.  Each student, no matter the program, receives a progress report (written evaluation) at the end of each quarter.

Standardized tests are always available to you and we will make sure your student takes one or more, if you request it.  The Terra Nova (formerly the California Achievement Test) is available every May.  The PSAT, SAT and ACT are given at local Ann Arbor high schools several times a year.  Students who are applying to college need to take one of the required exams.

What kind of parental involvement do you have?

PSS (Parent, Student and Staff) meet the third Tuesday on a bi-monthly basis.  Teachers, staff, parents and students all attend.  School business, plans, dreams and needs populate every agenda.

QUESTIONS ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS, ACCREDITATIONS AND DIPLOMAS

Since you are a private school and don't require certification for your teaching staff, what are the required qualification for teachers?

There are many requirements, but what carries the most weight is experience in non-traditional educational settings, love of kids, love of subject matter and the ability to be flexible and creative continuously.  Clonlara has teacher who are well rounded in both the philosophy and practicality of working with children and parents in the learning environment that Clonlara provides.

Is Clonlara Campus School Accredited?

We are not, but the home based education program is and we follow the same graduation requirements that their students meet.  Those requirements are based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

Can my son or daughter earn a high school diploma from Clonlara and is it recognized by colleges?

Students are required to earn 22 credits.  Students will earn a private school diploma. This includes a distribution of the core academic areas, electives, and community service.  Students who graduate from Clonlara have gone to a host of colleges and universities, both public and private.

QUESTIONS ABOUT DAILY OPERATIONS AND RULES

How long is the school day?

School starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Can my child ride a bus to Clonlara?

Yes; school bus transportation to and from Clonlara can be provided for Ann Arbor students.  Call the Ann Arbor Public Schools Bus Transportation office for details.  Their telephone number is 734-994-2330.

Or the Ann Arbor Transportation stop of South Industrial of Packard is convenient.

Does Clonlara have a school nurse?

No. Each head teacher is responsible for the health and safety of their students.  Families fill out a medical protocol card upon enrollment and a school response team is created for each student requiring extra support.

Is there before and after-school care?

No. We review the situation on a case by case basis.  Older students are allowed to be in the building before and after-school, as long as they are being productive.  Other students we consider the circumstances.

Are students always supervised?

Adults are always present.  Children may play unsupervised on the grounds, although adults will frequently be outside when the children are and they can see the playground from the school windows.  High school students may leave the campus for lunch with prior approval from parents and as long as they are in good standing.

What about smoking, drinking and drugs?

Clonlara is a drug, tobacco and alcohol free property.  We also have a drug prevention program that emphasizes prevention, not punishment.

What rules do the student have to follow?

A.S. Neill (Summerhill) say throughout his writing that 'freedom should not be confused with license or permissiveness.'  A student at Clonlara is free to choose and structure many of his/her own activities; however, s/he is not "free" to injure another child, either physically or emotionally.  Clonlara staff is directly involved in every incident that requires conflict resolution.  Honesty, discussion, accountability and reparations (where appropriate) are encouraged as means for solving problems.

Children who can not control violent, dangerous or disparaging behavior cannot be part of the Clonlara community.