Where is the Sycamore School located?
We are generously hosted by Leawood Baptist Church on Macon Rd. In addition to classroom space, we have access to their playground, indoor gym, and large outdoor open space.
What time does the school day begin and end?
We meet three days a week, from 9:00-3:00. Drop-off begins at 8:50. In the future we may offer different schedule options to accommodate different families’ preferences, including 3/days a week and 5/days a week options.
Will there be aftercare?
Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM) provides aftercare in the gym at Leawood. Interested parents can contact MAM for more information.
What is the school year calendar?
The Sycamore School will follow the Shelby County Schools calendar for holidays and breaks. Cancellations of school for inclement weather will be determined by the Sycamore School.
What is the average class size?
Sycamore limits its class size to 8-12 students per age/grade. Students will spend parts of their day (nature study, free choice time, recess, arts, etc) in mixed age groups.
Is breakfast or lunch provided during the school day?
The Sycamore school will not provide breakfast or lunch for its students. Students should bring a packed lunch with them each day. Families will take turns providing a morning snack for the whole group. Students are also encouraged to bring a water bottle they can keep with them all day.
What is the cost of attending the Sycamore School?
Tuition is set at $225/mo ($2,250/yr) per child. Payment can be made monthly by the first of each month; the first month’s tuition is due by June 1 as a deposit to hold your child’s space.
Is there expected parent involvement at the Sycamore School?
Sycamore asks each family to commit to volunteering with Sycamore on a regular basis. This allows the teacher to focus more on each child as well as allowing our families greater ownership and connection to one another. We know parent work schedules may prohibit volunteering during school hours, but we have needs both during the day and after-hours; examples of possible volunteer roles include leading special classes (art, foreign language, etc), planning field trips, and communications. We will work with each family to develop a volunteer role according to their schedule and abilities.
Are there scholarships available?
Some tuition assistance may be available. Indicate on your application if you are interested in learning more.
What school supplies are required?
We will email all families a school supply list of items their student should bring the first day of school. We will share these items and use them over the course of the school year.
Who is overseeing the Sycamore School?
Sycamore is guided by the School Director, a Board of Trustees, and a Parent Team who all work together to carry out the school’s vision. The Director communicates frequently with the classroom teacher and the parents to ensure that the vision of our school is being carried out in the classroom and all students are learning and thriving.
Are school uniforms required?
Sycamore does not require uniforms. Children should be dressed in athletic shoes and clothing that will allow them to move freely both indoors and out. Clothing worn to school may get dirty, as we will be outside every day possible.
How are students evaluated?
Our primary assessment tool is narration. Narration is a tool used by classical and Charlotte Mason schools in which each child retells, either orally or by writing, what he or she has learned. In a nutshell, this means that the child is evaluated by what they know, not by what they don’t know, and that the teacher’s knowledge of each child’s growth is based on one-on-one interaction.
What does the average school day look like?
A day at Sycamore consists of a morning and an afternoon cycle. The morning cycle centers around nature study, when students spend up to an hour outside with their nature journals, developing their observation skills around a different theme each month. Morning also includes recitation practice, snack, math instruction in small groups or one-on-one, and a free choice time in classroom where students work independently. The afternoon cycle centers around a unit-study that connects elements of literature, socio-dramatic play, science and history/culture around a particular theme. There is also time for a 20-30 minute unstructured outdoor recess, one-on-one or small group phonics, handwriting, and more free choice time.
| Time | Focus |
| 9:00-9:05 | Arrival |
| 9:05-9:10 | Write date |
| 9:10-9:30 | Recitation/Enrichment |
| 9:30-10:30 | Nature study |
| 10:30-10:45 | Snack |
| 10:45-11:05 | Math |
| 11:05-11:35 | Free choice |
| 11:35-11:45 | Rest |
| 11:45-12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:15-12:40 | Recess |
| 12:40-1:40 | Unit time |
| 1:40-2:20 | Phonics/Free choice |
| 2:20-2:30 | Handwriting |
| 2:30-2:50 | Recitation/Games |
| 2:50-3:00 | Prep for leaving |