SHARING OUR PASSION
PROJECT BASED LEARNING INITIATIVE
Woodlawn School is excited to share our partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for a new 3 day program providing specialized training in Project Based Learning (PBL) for Middle School teachers.
OUR GOALS
PBL FOR EDUCATORS
In the summer of 2022, CMS teachers partnered with Woodlawn teachers for three days of PBL training by the Buck Institute’s PBL Works. The tuition for the 19 CMS teachers was funded by a grant from the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.
The goals of this project:
1) Train 19 CMS teachers representing 4 schools (Coulwood Middle, Northeast Middle, Whitewater Middle, and Wilson STEM) in Project Based Learning.
2) Develop collaborative relationships between the CMS teachers and Woodlawn School’s teachers.
3) Seek ways in which the CMS students and Woodlawn students can work on a shared project.
4) Looking to the future, make the Woodlawn/CMS Summer PBL Institute an annual event. Our goal: 10 years from now, 200+ CMS and Woodlawn teachers will be trained and deeply engaged in PBL, enriching the learning of thousands of students.
Below, are links to the PBL Works website and the PBL 101 curriculum, as well as descriptions of why PBL is such a powerful way of engaging all learners and the superior results students achieve in PBL classrooms, and a link to the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.
PBL Works – Learn More
Information about the PBL 101 Curriculum – Learn More
Information about the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation – Learn More
61 ACRES
OUR CAMPUS
Our campus features 9 buildings, 61 acres of woods and fields, gardens, outdoor classrooms, and a challenge course supporting our special emphasis on healthy, outdoor activities – 55 minutes of recess every day, for everyone! Our curriculum is designed to use our campus to keep kids active, moving, and engaged.
WHY I LOVE WOODLAWN
“Of course, there are many other advantages of going to Woodlawn – too many to count – but one, in particular, is the faculty. The relationships that students are able to build with their teachers are remarkable. I remember comparing my favorite Greek yogurt flavors with my history teacher and participating in the Gatsby dance contest against my teachers, while in 1920s costume. I know that if I am ever confused about anything, I can go to any of the faculty with a question and get immediate help.”
– Mary R.C. ’14
Graduate of Davidson College
20 YEARS AND COUNTING
OUR FOUNDING
Founded in 2002, Woodlawn first began with just seven students and two small buildings, and opened its doors for the first time in the fall of that year. Just two years later, 70 students were enrolled and Woodlawn had already established a reputation as a place where high academic standards led to independent, lifelong learning.
