A Quality Education Should Go the Distance, No Matter Where Students Are
At Ashley Hall, our core values of individualized learning, student-driven inquiry, and a rich community are the foundation of all we do, including distance learning. From synchronous small group instruction and one-on-one meetings to asynchronous lessons that fit within our families’ schedules, our School knows the importance of helping each student discover what works best. Our distance learning opportunities are specially calibrated to blend a developmentally appropriate amount of on-screen time with activities that foster independence, movement, and success through multiple modes of learning. We partner with families for an education experience based on a traditional foundation enhanced by modern learning.
“Celebrating the many talents and endeavors of our community is not dependent upon a specific location or time frame but rather our ability to join together through the spirit of community.” —Head of School Jill Muti
2-5 years old
The Early Education Center
Limited screen time is advised for students in pre-primary, primary, pre-kindergarten, and pre-first classes. The EEC will provide grade-level lesson plans that will include daily activities focused on literacy, math skills, artistic expression, the development of fine and gross motor skills, and social/emotional learning. Videos may be posted for brief student use. For example, teachers may post personal greetings to students, link songs or stories in English and in French, and share videos that feature literacy and math skills. In addition, teachers may post helpful tutorials or guides to support parents’ efforts to facilitate instruction.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
Google Meet
Expectations:
Weekly lesson plans will be provided that include daily sets of activities to address curriculum goals along with a suggested daily schedule.
Kindergarten-Grade 4
The Lower School
Kindergarten and First Grade Overview:
Limited screen time is advised. Weekly lesson plans will include activities for math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and connection classes for each weekday. Videos may be posted for brief student use or for parents to view as support in facilitating lessons. Teachers will post instructions on the Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System) for the best method for returning completed assignments.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
Redbird
Google Classroom
Expectations:
Weekly lesson plans include daily activities to address all academic areas.
Second Grade through Fourth Grade Overview:
Screen time can be extended but attention is given to a variety of activities. Weekly lesson plans will include activities for math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and connection classes for each weekday. Videos may be posted for brief student use or for parents to view as support in facilitating lessons. Teachers will post instructions on the Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System) for the best method for returning completed assignments.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
Redbird
Google Classroom
Expectations:
Weekly lesson plans include daily activities to address all academic areas. Lower School Live at Ashley Hall sessions include optional virtual activities with Lower School Connections teachers including arts, science, math, and wellness. The Daily Read Aloud is the perfect way to round out the morning. These sessions are offered through the Zoom platform.
Grades 5 & 6
The Intermediate Program
Fifth Grade and Sixth Grade Overview:
Students will be assigned a variety of activities in a blended format that combines online assignments with reading and written work. Redbird will be used to support math instruction. Lessons may be a combination of short assignments and project work. Teachers will post instructions on the Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System) for the best method for returning completed assignments.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
Redbird (Grade 5)
ALEKS (Grade 6)
Google Classroom
Expectations:
Weekly lesson plans include four 30-minute assignments per class per week. Assignments may be in the form of individual assignments or projects designed to last several days.
Grades 7 & 8
The Nautilus Program
Seventh Grade and Eighth Grade Overview:
Students will be assigned a variety of activities in a blended format that combines online assignments with reading and written work. ALEKS will be used to support math instruction. Lessons may be a combination of short assignments and project work. Asynchronous collaborative work may be assigned. Teachers will post instructions on the Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System) for the best method for returning completed assignments.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
ALEKS
Google Classroom
Expectations:
There is a proposed schedule to guide students in their academic work. In general, students will be asked to devote 2.5 hours weekly to each of their classes with an additional day where 30-45 minutes per class may need to be used to deepen learning. Assignments may be in the form of individual assignments or projects designed to last several days.
Grades 9-12
The Upper School
Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade Overview:
Students will be assigned a variety of activities in a blended format that combines online assignments with reading and written work. ALEKS may be used to support math instruction. Lessons may be a combination of short assignments and project work. Asynchronous collaborative work may be assigned. Teachers will post instructions on the Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System) for the best method for returning completed assignments.
Primary Tools:
The Learning Commons (Ashley Hall’s Learning Management System)
ALEKS
Google Classroom
Expectations:
There is a proposed schedule to guide students in their academic work. In general, students will be asked to devote 2.5 hours weekly to each of their classes with an additional day where 30-45 minutes per class may need to be used to deepen learning. Assignments may be in the form of individual assignments or projects designed to last several days.
Individualized Learning
Students learn in different ways and especially need support for their learning styles during distance learning. We offer a number of options to help students meaningfully engage with the curriculum, their teachers, and each other.
Synchronous Meetings: From morning meeting and advisory to classes and labs, students interact with their classmates and teachers in real time.
Small Groups: Teachers offer special sessions within classes to review concepts, cement new material, and extend the learning process.
One-on-One Interactions: To best meet students’ needs, teachers offer a number of ways for students to connect with them individually, including video and telephone calls, set office hours, and weekly check-ins.
Support Services: The full range of Ashley Hall’s whole-student approach to education—including attention to social and emotional health and well being—are available to students via distance learning. Access to services such as our Lower School and Upper School counselors, wellness classes, the Math Lab, the College Counseling Office, and much more is seamless regardless of location.
Student-Driven Inquiry
As a school of independent and self-directed learners, Ashley Hall supports students in their critical thinking explorations.
Asynchronous Lessons: Prioritizing critical thinking, weekly lesson plans and objectives allow students to self-pace and adopt a schedule that best fits their learning needs, all with the support of teachers at their fingertips.
Technology Done Right: Our teachers choose the best online tools to enhance learning and encourage student voice, choice, self-direction, and independence.
Creating Lifelong Learners: Our curriculum gives students a foundation to build upon and goes beyond subject mastery. When students drive their own learning, the experience stays with them for life.
Culture of Community
At Ashley Hall, community is at the heart of all we do. Maintaining strong bonds between students and their peers as well as teachers is critical during distance learning—that’s why we place a premium on communication, transparency, and feedback.
Staying in Close Contact: Communication is a two-way street, and in addition to receiving Head of School, Division Director, and teacher emails, families are always encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Valued Feedback: Our recent parent survey asked families to share their successes as well as challenges with distance learning, and we added new offerings in response. While maintaining our core values, we are always looking for the best ways possible to meet the needs of our students.
Nurturing Connections: Faculty maintain close weekly contact with Early Education Center families, and Lower School (K-6th grade) families are being called weekly by their division assistant as a gentle check in. Upper School (7th-12th grades) has created family care teams who are placing similar calls to their families. Families are encouraged to reach out with any needs they have.
Virtual Community Building: From an “Ashley Hall Good News” channel to Family Game Night, we create opportunities to connect beyond the distance learning classroom. We want our families to feel fully embraced and supported by our community!
Frequently Asked Questions
Continuously updated, our Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page will address many of the questions you have as well as collect in one place the information already shared by administration. Highlights include campus operations, academics, and ancillary services. We remain committed to informing you, learning from you, and delivering our very best, no matter the situation.
Highlights from our Distance Learning Experiences
Sixth Grade Virtual Tour of D.C. // Ashley Hall
Utilizing 3D Printers to Create Medical Masks // Ashley Hall
Current Campus Status
May 1: Ashley Hall’s campus remains closed in compliance with Governor Henry McMaster’s order to cease all in-person instruction through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. All students are participating in the School’s Distance Learning Program. Plans are underway for the 2020-2021 school year and will be shared soon.