Classrooms

Classrooms Inside and Out

With the blinds up and the lights on, our bright classrooms foster curiosity as it blooms in our classrooms. It’s obvious right away that this is a place that encourages adventurous learning. The large windows stimulate eager minds, and students love observing and learning from the changing seasons. In every corner, there are irresistible hands-on materials for your child to explore. Bins of supplies, books and other resources are easily accessible.

The two-story main school house was constructed in 1914, and later additions, along with the newest additions now house 21 classrooms. The buildings have been completely renovated, meticulously maintained to historic preservation best-in-class standards, and are upgraded yearly, including the addition of 10+ HVAC units with hospital-grade air scrubbers. We pride ourselves in representing one of the best Historic Schoolhouse Preservations in the country.

Learning environment

Walk into any classroom, and you will see a welcoming, vibrant, open space, bustling with purposeful work and play. You will notice:

children truly enjoying learning.
students developing and practicing important life skills under the guidance of two certified Teachers.
preschool rooms brimming with exciting centers of creative learning, including areas with blocks, pretend and dress-up, sensory and science, math manipulatives, writing, art and books.
elementary classrooms where students are fully engaged in areas of learning such as reading and writing workshops, math workshops and theme study for small and large groups.

Integrated Outdoor Classroom

Virginia Chance School values outside play and environmental learning through our integrated outdoor classroom focus.

Each child plays outside every day, except during heavy rain, thunder and extreme weather.
Our Outdoor Classroom offers 26 acres available to children, including woods, fields, pond and Goose Creek.
Children experience environmental education through daily natural connections in our garden, orchard and chicken coop.
We integrate Nature-Based Learning throughout our program- setting the standard in our region for other schools looking to become environmentally integrated.

Accreditation

The school is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), a membership organization of 230 independent schools from 13 states in the Midwest. NAEYC also accredits us and we have met NAEYC’s 10 standards for high-quality early childhood education. These programs have demonstrated that they provide a safe and healthy environment for children, have teachers who are well-trained, have access to excellent teaching materials, and work with a curriculum that is appropriately challenging and developmentally sound.

Program Foundation

The hallmark of a Chance education is the way in which educators thoughtfully and deliberately develop the whole child. The curricular foundation is a blend of the school’s progressive education philosophy with age-appropriate milestones and Common Core Standards along with guidelines from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Gesell Institute, and current academic and cognitive research and published best practices.

Faculty and Staff

Chance faculty and staff number approx. 50, with an average of 10+ years experience.

Enrollment

Approximately 265 students are enrolled each school year.

Maximum Class Size and Student/Teacher Ratio

At our school, we have two teachers per classroom to provide the best learning experience to our students. Therefore, our classrooms cannot be categorized as having "small class sizes." Our program is designed to challenge your child to develop an array of relationships within the classroom, which is an intentional part of our teaching approach.

Inclusion

Typically, the school achieves at least 20 percent racial and ethnic diversity each year. Approximately 20 percent of our elementary students receive need-based financial aid. The school welcomes families of all faiths and does not promote any one belief or practice. The majority of students live in six zip codes within 15 minutes of the school, but more than 25 zip codes are represented in the student population.

Our Instagram feed to give you a window into Virginia Chance School classrooms and learning: