Kapka

Phinney
Ridge, a block off of 99 close to the zoo, K-2 in the process of expanding to
PreK-5

Picture
a house with its rooms altered to create a cozy learning space, native American
art on a table where the morning meeting is being held. It is led by a 2nd
grader who walks the group of students and teachers through announcements,
songs and celebrations.

Mission: KapKa is a welcoming
and inclusive community of children, teachers, and parents who see learning as
a life-long and cooperative process. Our goal is to help children become
capable and responsible individuals who believe in themselves, respect the
views of others, follow their passions, and contribute to their world. We are a
creative, joyful community, strong in our shared philosophy, rich in learning
and play.

Values: Creativity, Co-operation,
Compassion

Unique
features

• Child-centered and
  student-led: Kapka’s founding curriculum is centered around yearly themes.
  However, within the theme, the curriculum is increasingly emergent, being
  driven by the curiosity and initiative of the students. To this point, the
  school had a chicken coop in a secured section of its kitchen in the
  2009-10 school year.

• A cooperative: Kapka
  is a co-op. Parents constitute a large majority of the Board and have
  weekly 3.5 hour classroom shifts as part of which they assist teachers and
  students. Many of the annual events are created by parents.

• Small community: With
  a class size of 15 students and deep family involvement, this is a small,
  tightly knit community.

• Kapka had a tradition
  of including Native American cultural nuances and practices in its
  culture. These are no longer dominant but inklings of them are still
  present. For example, the 2nd grade students are called
  “Elder-Elders” and the 1st graders, “Elders”.

Classroom
teachers and specialists

There
are three full-time classroom teachers that lead activities for a particular
classroom or combination of classrooms. A music and art specialist weaves art
elements throughout the curriculum.

Site
and space

A
house that has been converted to house 3 separate classroom spaces and common
play and meeting areas.

Current
and upcoming changes

Kapka
is in the process of expanding its program to be PreK-5. This will happen at
the start of the 2011 school year. During this expansion, the school is also
reconsidering some of its curricular approaches in and effort to adopt a more
emergent style. The school is likely to move to a new location when the
expansion happens.

Ideal
student

• Comfortable leading
  and following as students take turns leading and following in a variety of
  multi-age activities.

• Takes initiative

• Is comfortable with
  parent presence in classroom

Ideal
family

• Seeks a co-operative
  that requires family involvement on a weekly basis

• Sees school as a part
  of larger social community

• Is interested in an
  evolving, emergent curriculum and will be comfortable with the changes
  that lies ahead for the school.

Final
word(s):
Kapka is a small, cozy school that blends home and school life by inviting
family presence and children’s curiosity in shaping its curriculum. This can
sometimes result in unpredictability that is generally secured by the
close-knit nature of the school community. The school is currently in a state
of transition and change as it expands to being PreK-5.

Information
source and research method: Based on several in-person meetings and lengthy discussions
with Education Director Kathi Bulfin, a series of classroom observations and
brief interviews with teachers.  

Disclaimer:
This is an independent review of Kapka. It is not a statement by the school or
its officials.