Jones Paideia Magnet School - Paideia Philosophy

Paideia Philosophy

The term "Paideia" is probably best known to modern English-speakers through its use in the word Encyclopedia, which is a combination of the Greek terms enkyklios, or complete system/circle, and paideia, or education/learning.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grades are engaged daily in the school board adopted curriculum based on newly written standards in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and visual and performing arts. At Jones, Spanish is taught to all students grades K – 4. In addition, students attend related arts classes in art, music and physical education. Teachers utilize the state framework of objectives, as well as the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Graduate and 12-Pre K Academic Standards when planning instruction for all subject areas. In addition to the curriculum, teachers incorporate hands-on-science, science and technology kits, math manipulatives, character education and balanced literacy. The curriculum is delivered through the Paideia philosophy of instruction. One remedial class for fourth grade students performing below the 430th scaled score in reading, called Language Exclamation, is implemented at that level. The hope is to have students reading at or above grade level after two-years in the program. Currently, the school has 18 students who qualify for this program. In order to serve the special education needs of students who receive services, the school uses an inclusion program. Currently, six percent of the total student population is eligible for special education services.