Academic Goals for Students

In accordance with our mission and philosophy and the notion that Perkiomen prepares individuals according to their individual ability, we have established the following goals for our students. In an ideal sense, these goals represent attributes are ones we would like to see each of our graduates possess.

During his or her time at Perkiomen, a student gains the ability to:

1. communicate clearly

-to read complex material
-to use writing in a variety of ways
-to listen sensitively
-to speak articulately when called upon to do so
-to understand art —music, theater, creative writing, visual arts —as a means of personal and creative expression
Within the individual capacity of each student
-this includes the ability to understand to at least one other language.

2. identify and solve problems

-to recognize and interpret problems in mathematics, and science.
-it also includes an appreciation of the problems faced by the artist, the writer, the historian, or the social scientist in his or her work.
-to ask good questions and think critically

3. use information

-to act as self-motivated, inquiry based researchers
-to use appropriate tools —media, technology, and others- needed to make use of information.
—this includes the ability to locate, understand, evaluate, and synthesize information

4. acquire a basic knowledge in traditional disciplines through various teaching and learning strategies

-to work both independently and collaboratively, and to know the appropriate
-this includes a sense of and appreciation for the aesthetic in art, music, literature, history, as well as math and science.

5. understand and appreciate the importance of physical fitness and maintaining a healthy life

6. approach the work required at the college of a student’s choice. This includes enough self-awareness to know when review and extra work is necessary, and to know how to seek and find appropriate support when needed.

The document "Academic Goals for a Perkiomen Student: What excellent students do." is not wholly original. It is based on best practices documents such as those created by the national Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and others.