Our mission is to prepare students for success in college and professional technical careers by providing a high quality, personalized, relevant and rigorous education through exceptional teaching, innovative uses of technology and partnerships with families. 

The learning process Gem Prep has established considers the stages of maturation as a guide to scaffolding scholars into becoming high achieving adults. Over the next three posts, I will outline the three stages of maturity and the ways in which learning progresses for Gem scholars.

(Post 1 of 3)

STAGE 1: DEPENDENCE (Grades K-3)

The first stage of maturity is considered the dependent stage.  In this level of maturity, individuals are dependent on others and rely on others for their needs to be met.  In our primary grades, kindergarten through third grade, teachers have a more direct teaching approach of mastering the fundamentals of academics and social skills.  

Students begin their “dependent” education with small group instruction intellectually guided by an adult.  This is through a rotation model that includes an independent technology station. 

The combination of adult-led and simple independence provides the best possible learning environment to engage students and aid their navigation to the next level of maturity, Independence.

Principal Nanette Merrill

To apply at Gem Prep Meridian North: https://gemprep.org/gem-prep/apply/