"In a differentiated classroom students have multiple options for taking in information,
making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn."

-Carol Ann Tomlinson (2001), author of The Differentiated Classroom-Responding to the Need of All Learners

At Holy Family Academy our faculty believes what parents also know: No two children are alike and no two children learn in the same way.The use of Differentiated Instruction allows Holy Family Academy to maximize learning for all students.

Differentiated Instruction:

is a teaching theory that promotes the use of varied instructional approaches for different students in the classroom. Curriculum is adjusted to learners rather than expecting students to modify themselves for the curriculum. allows all students to be equally engaged and appropriately challenged. focuses on the same concepts with all students, but adjusts for the diversity of learners in the classroom. is a dynamic process. Grouping and regrouping of children is based on subject matter and on-going teacher evaluation of each student’s progress. No child is kept in a static group or "labeled" because student readiness and achievement differ between subjects and over time.		"At our former school, our daughter’s needs fell through the cracks. After joining Holy Family Academy we were amazed to see that there were five reading groups in the second grade. Every child was challenged and every child felt successful. What a difference it has made for our daughter!" 2nd grade parent, Barrington, IL

We have intentionally structured our school to implement differentiated instruction by:

Having small class sizes. Our classes average 20 students per classroom and each class is staffed with a teacher and a teacher assistant. This attractive student-teacher ratio allows Holy Family faculty more one-on-one time to get to know each student’s particular learning style and motivation. Empowering the Academy faculty to develop a curriculum that is both broad in scope yet able to be tailored to a diverse student population. Focusing on three distinct areas of teaching: whole classroom, small groups, and individual instruction thereby striving to ensure that all students’ needs are met.

"Education should not be 'one size fits all'" Dr. Gretchen Ludwig, Principal Holy Family Academy

A teacher and full time teaching assistant in classes with over 18 students    

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