Artesian's Values
A values-centered environment filled with adults who personify and model those values inspires students to grow into women and men of character. Artesian’s values are woven into every aspect of the school, including communication with families and the greater community. We believe that following these values will lead to success, not only at school, but in life:
Growth Mindset – Originally inspired by Carol Dweck’s assertion that individuals can have either a fixed or growth mindset; those with fixed mindsets believe that they have only a certain amount of intelligence, while those with growth mindsets believe they can grow and develop their intelligence[1]. At Artesian, Growth Mindset also implies a forward motion and constant improvement. Thus, students, staff, and families thrive through direct and immediate feedback and embrace challenges as an opportunity for growth.
Responsibility – Students and staff at Artesian are expected to grow in their abilities to take responsibility and be accountable for themselves, their peers, teams at school, and for the larger community. They will learn that how they respond to every circumstance creates positive, neutral, or negative change. As their Responsibility grows, they will no longer make excuses for their circumstances but will take full responsibility for changing the outcome. The school provides developmentally-appropriate ways to practice and demonstrate responsibility.
Drive – Like Growth Mindset, this value serves a dual purpose. Artesian envisages the very best from every student and staff member and expects that they are always driving for results to meet their goals. Equally important is for the Artesian community to be intrinsically motivated to not only reach those goals, but also, to exceed them.
Fortitude is a manifestation of perseverance and resilience that takes courage. It is not always easy to take responsibility or to continue driving towards one’s best work. Constantly pushing oneself while operating in one’s zone of proximal development[2] ensures a higher likelihood of surmounting every challenge. At Artesian, students and staff are supported to persevere through difficult situations and are celebrated when they have shown courage in their efforts to succeed.
Unity – Each person who spends regular time at Artesian is a part of a larger school community; students and staff are expected to treat one another with respect and to keep one another’s best interests in mind. Groupings of students and/or staff are referred to as Teams, further solidifying the expectation that everyone must work together in order to succeed.
Artesian Community School works to develop these values in each student so that they will take this paradigm and apply it to their neighborhoods and community. The values are explicitly taught in Advisory classes and through activities and conversations built into the school curriculum. Each student’s Growth Plan includes character development, which is aligned to the school’s values, and students are asked to reflect on their development and growth at least weekly during Advisory. Staff members continually observe students for demonstrations of living the school’s values, which they are able to include as objective documentation in students’ Growth Plans. Students are publicly celebrated as they grow from one level of value expression to another.
We believe that, in addition to raising students’ achievement levels, developing their character and sense of responsibility for the world will fulfill the mission of Artesian Community School by equipping them holistically for high school, post-secondary education, and life success.
[1] Dweck, Carol. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
[2] Coyle, Daniel. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How.
Growth Mindset – Originally inspired by Carol Dweck’s assertion that individuals can have either a fixed or growth mindset; those with fixed mindsets believe that they have only a certain amount of intelligence, while those with growth mindsets believe they can grow and develop their intelligence[1]. At Artesian, Growth Mindset also implies a forward motion and constant improvement. Thus, students, staff, and families thrive through direct and immediate feedback and embrace challenges as an opportunity for growth.
Responsibility – Students and staff at Artesian are expected to grow in their abilities to take responsibility and be accountable for themselves, their peers, teams at school, and for the larger community. They will learn that how they respond to every circumstance creates positive, neutral, or negative change. As their Responsibility grows, they will no longer make excuses for their circumstances but will take full responsibility for changing the outcome. The school provides developmentally-appropriate ways to practice and demonstrate responsibility.
Drive – Like Growth Mindset, this value serves a dual purpose. Artesian envisages the very best from every student and staff member and expects that they are always driving for results to meet their goals. Equally important is for the Artesian community to be intrinsically motivated to not only reach those goals, but also, to exceed them.
Fortitude is a manifestation of perseverance and resilience that takes courage. It is not always easy to take responsibility or to continue driving towards one’s best work. Constantly pushing oneself while operating in one’s zone of proximal development[2] ensures a higher likelihood of surmounting every challenge. At Artesian, students and staff are supported to persevere through difficult situations and are celebrated when they have shown courage in their efforts to succeed.
Unity – Each person who spends regular time at Artesian is a part of a larger school community; students and staff are expected to treat one another with respect and to keep one another’s best interests in mind. Groupings of students and/or staff are referred to as Teams, further solidifying the expectation that everyone must work together in order to succeed.
Artesian Community School works to develop these values in each student so that they will take this paradigm and apply it to their neighborhoods and community. The values are explicitly taught in Advisory classes and through activities and conversations built into the school curriculum. Each student’s Growth Plan includes character development, which is aligned to the school’s values, and students are asked to reflect on their development and growth at least weekly during Advisory. Staff members continually observe students for demonstrations of living the school’s values, which they are able to include as objective documentation in students’ Growth Plans. Students are publicly celebrated as they grow from one level of value expression to another.
We believe that, in addition to raising students’ achievement levels, developing their character and sense of responsibility for the world will fulfill the mission of Artesian Community School by equipping them holistically for high school, post-secondary education, and life success.
[1] Dweck, Carol. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
[2] Coyle, Daniel. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How.