Reedley International School --

Late last year, I was invited by the administrators of Reedley International School for a visit. You might be wondering why I went, considering our two boys are in Xavier School already. I have only one reason: I am always interested in understanding how each school differs in their teaching methods, because I believe that everyone learns differently.

On the left, you can see what is expected of each Reedley kid. For some, it will be a paradigm change from the grade-conscious society of Manila, because Reedley expects all kids to be well-rounded, street-smart kids, who can fend for themselves in the "real world".

One very interesting point that Reedley emphasizes to their students is that the school is against bullying. It is explained to all students that in each situation, there are three parties: the bully, the bullied and the bystander. While we think that the bystander is just that -- a bystander, the child is taught what to do as well. It is not enough to watch the scene folding out, it is important for him or her to do something.

Let me share with you some photos I took during my tour at Reedley.

This is the first poster I saw. What is great is that they don't feed you what to do, they make you think!

A poster I saw in the grade school:

A grade school class in progress:

I would think that bullying happens more in the middle school, when kids are not as "innocent" anymore, and things are done with intent. So Reedley actually has activities to encourage anti-bullying. Check out some pictures I saw on their bulletin boards:

Each grading period, they have a theme to support the campaign. When I was there, it was the "treasure" that pirates found. So "uncover the treasure in each one"!

A picture of the kids in middle school (they're HUGE!):

 Reminders like this are posted all over the school...

Reedley's ambitions for each of their students can be summarized with this poster.

I was able to talk to Jo Anne Bilo, the middle school principal. She was able to discuss their grading system briefly with me and I found it very very interesting. I had to request for this explanation that way I put it correctly.

The grading system of Reedley International School is based on true AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT as outlined and recommended by noted educators primarily Ken O’ Conner (Assess for Success, 1994), Robert J. Marzano (Classroom Assessment and Grading that Work, 2006), Richard Stiggins et al (Classroom Assessment for Student Learning: Doing it Right and Using It Well, 2004), and Heidi Hayes Jacob (Mapping the Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum and Assessment, 2004).

True to Reedley’s dedication to be at the forefront of education theory, methodologies, technology and practice, the school seeks to implement this system to further assist the child in becoming the ideal Reesian in mind at heart and in spirit.

Task Types:

The assessment policy uses the following terminology for task types:

Type I: Looks into student’s mastery of simple information and processes taught
Type II: Looks into student’s mastery of complex information and processes taught
Type III: Looks into the student’s ability to use complex information and or processes learned and make in depth inferences and applications that go beyond that was taught. 

With this kind of a grading system, each student knows EXACTLY where he/she is at a certain lesson, and how much more they need to do to achieve the goals they had set in the beginning of the year.

Reedley International is located at JOSOL Building, E. Rodriguez Jr., Ave., Libis, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel/Fax +632 571-5291. Mobile +63917 507-9306. Email <ris@reedleyschool.com>. Website <www.reedleyschool.com>