Abbey Park fuses 3 teaching methods
Abbey Park Academy takes pride in its eclectic program that combines techniques from three teaching approaches — Slingerland, Waldorf, and Montessori — in its desire to assist parents in preparing their children to deal with issues and realities of life.
School owner and director Cathy Salimbangon said that the fusion of teaching methods is bent on producing more analytic students, those engaged in in-depth learning. "In some schools in the country, students are usually bombarded with theories and lessons to memorize. Pupils are evaluated as A—ones if they top tests and exams. At Abbey Park, we are developing a new culture of learning and teaching."
Christian values, community service, environment exposure, and parent-teacher partnership in teaching the students are components of the combined learning approaches. "Our core values cover holistic development of learners as modeled by Jesus Christ in Luke 2:52. Students deal with issues and realities of life properly once their intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical potentials are developed in accordance with the foundation of Biblical truth," school principal Maria Christi Lapradez pointed out.
The Slingerland method is about structured multisensory approach designed to help students with speaking, reading, writing and spelling. Waldorf aims at creating well-rounded students through academics, arts, music, physical, emotional and social education, thus encouraging learning for the "sake of learning" instead of just passing a grade or exam; while Montessori emphasizes independence within the limits and respect for child's natural psychological development as well as technological advancements in society.
Lapradez doesn't believe totally in allowing children to improve on their own pace. "We have to set limits to this type of learning, that's why we don't go Montessori, per se. We have to intervene in the pace of every learner because, as teachers, we are there to unlock their full potential, their passion for academics, arts and music."
"But I do believe that Waldorf is very important, that's why we also integrate that in the curriculum we've developed. Waldorf is about touching base with nature. Pretend play like tending a store with the use of leaves and twigs as varieties of fish, and stones or pebbles as money, for example, is Waldorf. It establishes children's connection with the natural world," she added.
Abbey Park held its first commencement exercises last April 5 with 22 pupils. "We just capped our first year of operation and we are very happy about it. Our success is measured by the overall development of our students throughout the school year," Salimbangon further said.
Course offerings include playgroup, nursery, prep, kinder, Grades 1 and 2 with a 10:1 learner-teacher ratio. The school is equipped with airconditioned classrooms, indoor/outdoor play area, a library, and a music room. Educational distinctives include special Reading program, sequential Math program, experiential Science program, Bible-based values format, and God-centered class sessions, among others.
Abbey Park is at 31-A President Magsaysay Street, Kasambagan, Cebu City (where the old Gloria Maris school building stands) or at the back of Sarrosa Hotel, passing by President Quirino Street.