Academics
Learning @ PBIA
Learning@PBIA
Our unique and innovative approach to education builds learning into every facet of the student’s experience, making it a natural process that fosters both curiosity and achievement.
PBIA invites students to regard school and to embrace learning as an exciting, vital, and natural part of life. We aim to help people become learners and leaders, and to discover joy in personal achievement, both in and out of the classroom.
Our Pedagogical Approach
Our goal with every student is to maximize academic achievement while fostering self-motivation and success. We focus on self-paced academic instruction, which allows us to advance both the pace and rigor of each student’s studies to help them discover and develop their own abilities to the fullest.
PBIA focuses on understanding how students learn and what they want to learn through a structured, hierarchical approach, fostering their development into creative thinkers. We also incorporate the Socratic method and mind-brain science in our teaching approach.
We focus on executive functions, a.k.a study skills, and fully incorporate the concept of multiple intelligences, allowing students to learn in various ways. Spaces are divided into individual, group, and social areas, where color, art, and aesthetics have importance and meaning, and social/emotional learning is woven throughout our approach.
S.T.A.R. Table™
Based upon the observation that the best ideas and solutions are born from great conversations, we have incorporated a S.T.A.R. Table™ in each of our group rooms.
During our S.T.A.R. Table™ classes, students are exposed to a variety of topics discussions, and projects, allowing them to investigate, discover, and experience their own interests ideas, and perspectives.
Our goal is to ensure that students are having real conversations with other students, in real time, while looking each other in the eye, so they can guide the discussions themselves. This is a time for self-reflection about participation, points-of view, and interests.
Specials
Our Specials give students the opportunity to explore current and meaningful topics in depth.
These classes are instituted within our group program to cover topics in which students and teachers have shared interest. They may include artificial intelligence (AI), art, cooking, civics, current events, etiquette, debate, foreign languages and cultures, music, community service, games, gardening, science experiments, and whatever our students and faculty are interested in.
Our goal is to guide students as they explore these topics both individually and in group discussions, so we work with them to identify subjects that are current, pertinent, and applicable to their interests, levels, and needs.
Specials help set the curricula for not just older students, but also for K-4 students. Many Specials are offered as elective credits as well.
Aftercare
Learning shouldn’t stop once class has finished.
PBIA understands that cultivating the joy of learning is the key to developing lifelong learners, especially among young students brimming with curiosity. That’s why we offer our youngest students, K-4, play and learn activities that are academic, but also interactive, engaging, and fun.
Aftercare is available from 2:30-4PM, Monday through Friday.
Students grades 5-12 may participate in a supervised study hall at this time.
keep exploring
Philanthropy@PBIA
Keep going and see why philanthropy is such a vital part of PBIA’s culture.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and Answers
We LOVE questions! They are the doorway to learning. We’ve taken the liberty of answering the most common ones here.
GET STARTED
Let’s Get Started
Want to learn more about PBIA and what kind of academic fit we can be for your student’s and family’s needs? Contact us today.