Virginia Chance School

Web Address:
http://www.chanceschool.org/

Name & Address:
Virginia Chance School
4200 Lime Kiln Lane
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 425-6904

Director of Admissions:

Type of School:
Preschool & Elementary

Overview:
Virginia Chance School is an independent school for children from Preschool age 2 through
Elementary focused on progressive education in Louisville, KY. With close to 60 years as
Louisville’s premier progressive school, we continually set new standards for best practices in
education. Virginia Chance School provides two lead teachers in every classroom, integrated
outdoor learning for all students, a play-based preschool curriculum, and a multi-age
interdisciplinary project-based elementary program. Virginia Chance School offers a joyful,
challenging and progressive program that engages students in a hands-on, collaborative
environment, focused on building confident, inquisitive, and capable learners. Inside our bright,
busy classrooms and outside in our magical wooded setting, students learn through hands-on
discovery. It’s an ideal place for children to develop a lifelong love of learning. Where You Start Matters.

Philosophy Statement:
Childhood is a continuous and unfolding process. All children advance through stages of
development cognitively, socially, emotionally, morally and physically, and benefit from
developing positive attitudes about learning and living in a democratic society. Therefore, at
Virginia Chance School:

• We believe in creating a learning environment that is welcoming and provides a culture
  of mutual respect. Our environment instills a joy of learning by encouraging and
  supporting curiosity, discovery, creativity and an open exchange of ideas through
  collaboration and cooperation.
• We believe learning and experience are inseparable. Day by day we empower children
  to construct knowledge through active engagement, hands-on learning and social
  interaction. Learning opportunities are relevant because children benefit from making
  connections to the real world.
• We believe in guiding children with dignity and respect. By using positive discipline and
  respectful language, Virginia Chance students are empowered to solve problems and to
  become responsible citizens.
• We believe children benefit from having a voice. Choices and decision-making blended
  with routines and expectations create a culture for optimal learning and develop the
  foundation of habits, skills and attitudes.
• We believe in nurturing self-reliance and self-confidence daily. A strong sense of self is
  vital to being an engaged learner and healthy participant in one’s learning journey.
  We believe that teachers, as facilitators, guide, support and challenge learners to work
  toward reaching their full potential in all areas of development.
• We believe in honoring the uniqueness of each individual. By acknowledging and
  celebrating diversity, we encourage the acceptance of ourselves and others while
  enriching the learning environment.
• We believe in establishing a sense of community by having a partnership between home
  and school. Together, educators, administrators and parents contribute to the life of the
  school in ways that benefit young children.

• While this was an extraordinary approach in the 1950s, today the many benefits of Mrs. Virginia
  Chance's vision are supported by the findings of child development theorists and researchers.
  Widely acclaimed for this distinctive program, Virginia Chance School has been a cornerstone
  of early childhood education in Jefferson County and has served as a successful model for
  teachers, administrators and education authors in the state of Kentucky and nationally.