Mission

Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted children can experience the enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and to lead responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives.

Philosophy

Gifted learners have special intellectual, social, and emotional needs. They need an open, enriched educational environment designed to develop superior thinking skills and the opportunity to complete a broad range of academic and artistic projects and products. The curriculum should offer greater complexity, more depth, and a faster pace than is typical. Students should have stimulating interaction with their intellectual peers and be encouraged to develop the skills and character traits of creative, productive, contributing members of society. Sycamore School values its positive, enthusiastic school climate that supports and nurtures school life.

Sycamore School provides a full-time educational program to meet the needs of academically gifted students. The faculty sets criteria for evaluating students' academic progress, and it promotes and expects the development of personal responsibility, task commitment, self-discipline, independent learning, and respectful conduct. High standards of behavior and performance, as well as high aptitude, are expected.

Sycamore has an ongoing commitment to leadership in developing and improving teaching methods, learning strategies, and curricula in gifted education. Its teachers are dedicated to learning from others in gifted education and to sharing their experience and expertise with the larger community for the educational enrichment of all children.