Guiding Principles

We believe that the purpose of the school is for learning and for personal, social and intellectual growth. As a community we’ve agreed that there are four general principles that guide us at the school:

  • Our community is based on mutual respect. We expect that everyone – students, staff and parents – in the Touchstone community will demonstrate respect and treat others and the environment with respect.
  • We expect all members of the community to be aware of and value difference. We all share responsibility for creating a community in which everyone feels safe and included.
  • We believe students learn from each other and have a responsibility to help others learn and develop. No student has the right to interfere with the learning of another student or the purpose of an activity.
  • We expect social, emotional and academic progress and development from all members of the community. As students grow and spend time at the school, they are expected to take more and more responsibility for their behavior and their learning.
  • We recognize that these principles need ongoing presentation and discussion by the full community to insure that they are meaningful, understood by all and vital.