STEM
Homework at SA
The start of the school year means the excitement of new schedules, the comfort of old friends, the challenge of new subjects...and yes, the return of homework after a ten week summer reprieve. Our approach to homework is grounded in the deep respect we have for teenagers, an
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d our belief in their ability to become independent learners. Boiled down, our philosophy is simple:
At school, we work together.
At home, you learn to work for yourself.
Autonomy is your ability to thrive on your own—the ability to work by yourself and for yourself and to know your own needs and limits. And it's not necessarily dependent on other measures of achievement. Some students need more help learning to work on their own; some need more help learning to pay attention to their health—eating right, staying active, sleeping enough, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Homework is a chance for students to build their capacity for true autonomy. At home, you learn something you can’t learn at school: You learn how to be independent. You learn how to try and fail and try again. You learn how to practice. You learn what kind of help and support benefits you most. Sometimes you learn how to work with classmates on collaborative projects outside of school. Ultimately, you learn the healthy habits and patterns that will carry you into college and your working life.
We believe that homework is a time to put knowledge and skills to the test, to build confidence, to learn to live with some frustration, to learn what questions you need to ask, and to learn what kind of support you need outside the structure of the school day in order to work effectively on your own. In terms of time spent, homework might represent a small part of a busy day, but it’s a big lesson for the rest of your life.
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
