High Demand,
High Support
We maintain the highest possible bar for all of our scholars every single day. That means that each task we ask them to do is rigorous and worthy of their time and effort.
At the same time, we provide smart supports for each scholar so that they will be able to reach that high bar.
We believe that our high demand, high support model helps scholars develop a sense of belonging and purpose in our Alma crew.
Emphasis on College
Our scholars are steeped in a college-rich culture. Each of our classrooms are named after the alma mater of the lead teacher and year for which that class will graduate from college – one of this year’s kindergarten scholar groups is named the Rhode Island College Class of 2036.
Scholars work with their class, or “crew,” as we call it, to earn t-shirts with their college logo and year, a proud symbol of their hard work which they are able to wear each Friday. Crews devise chants based on their homeroom colleges to share their school and crew pride. Additionally, every class visits at least one college or college preparatory high school each year.
The Alma Habits
At Alma, character and academics are inextricably intertwined. Our three Alma Habits of Character – responsibility, consideration, and service – live at the heart of our curriculum, instruction, and school-wide culture.
Our goal is to give scholars every opportunity to practice and internalize these habits to help them become effective learners, ethical people, and contributors to a better world. When scholars and staff practice strong habits of character, our entire community is able to grow and thrive.