Schools are where the majority of children get their education. They teach them reading, math, foreign languages, advanced science, and the like.
School is a place where physical calm must be matched by mental calm. When a child is excited about something, the teacher must bring order out of chaos.
History
Historically, schools have served as anchor institutions in communities. They are sources of traffic, employment and community activities. They also influence local economics, largely through choices made by school administrators.
Across the world, societies have nurtured unique educational traditions that reflect their values and beliefs. For example, in ancient Greece, the city-states established formal schools to teach rhetoric and philosophy. In medieval times, monastic schools operated by religious orders became centers of learning that preserved ancient texts and disseminated knowledge. The Renaissance saw the emergence of humanist schools that prioritized critical thinking and creative expression.
Today, schools around the world continue to evolve to meet evolving needs. They are transforming to become more flexible, accessible and relevant to all students. They are also facilitating social mobility, providing individuals from diverse backgrounds with the tools and skills to rise above their socioeconomic circumstances. They provide students with knowledge and the skills they need to succeed in a global society.
Purpose
Schools are designed to teach students a variety of skills that will help them be successful in life. They also provide a great deal of social capital and opportunities. These experiences will help to build a student’s sense of self-worth and the value of learning.
However, not everyone agrees on what a school should be for. There are many different perspectives and goals for a school, including academic proficiency, political and civic engagement, personal development, socialization, and economic advancement.
A school may also serve as an important tool for combating societal issues, such as racism and gender inequality. Education helps to make people aware of these problems, which is why it is so important for schools to be involved in this effort.
Often, the goal of school is to create well-rounded individuals who are physically fit, mentally sharp, emotionally secure, culturally sound, and economically effective. However, not every student enjoys academia, so there is a need for vocational schools as well.
Structure
Schools are organized into a number of ways. In some, teachers are divided into teams based on grade levels or academic subject areas. They are also typically supervised by administrators. The structure of a school can influence how students learn and the level of achievement they receive.
Schools may also be structured to promote a specific educational philosophy. For example, Montessori schools are a form of alternative education that emphasizes self-directed learning and focuses on individualized instruction. Other special needs schools focus on teaching children with disabilities and magnet schools offer a particular field of study or a type of learning approach.
The traditional or bureaucratic school model minimizes collective, collegial behavior on the part of teachers and maximizes two conflicting behaviors—the power of the principal to dictate policy and the autonomy of teachers to make decisions about how they teach. Even schools that restructure by creating executive committees or leadership councils do not significantly change this isolation of teachers within the school.
Activities
School activities provide students with the chance to have fun, break out of their regular classroom routine and build new memories. They also help to improve their focus and ability to learn in the classroom. In fact, research published in Education Next showed that students who are involved in extracurricular activities tend to have higher grades and standardized test scores than those who don’t participate.
Depending on the activity, it may also boost creativity. For example, when students play a game like a classroom scavenger hunt, they need to be creative in order to get through the challenges.
Another great activity for schools is Career Day, where students of all ages visit different classrooms that represent occupations they can pursue as adults. This can help them dream big and gives them a glimpse of what their future could look like. Students who take part in this event often have a much more positive outlook on school and are less likely to skip class or be uninterested in homework.