The Diener School

The Diener School believes in an integrated approach to academic and social learning. Daily activities, whether academic, therapeutic, artistic or physical, are connected as part of thematic units. This integrated approach allows Diener students to see meaning and purpose in each and every activity. The students will feel stimulated and confident as their learning allows them to make connections, generalize information and apply their skills inside and outside of our classroom walls. As such, The Diener School created "Peer Buddies," a program that allows students to use the social skills and pragmatics encouraged in the classroom to create, build and sustain relationships with students from neighboring schools. In addition, our bi-weekly thematic based field trips offer students an opportunity to learn experimentally and integrate into the community. The Diener School believes that teaching values and building character is integral to its program. Therefore, virtues, positive reinforcement, community responsibility and outreach are part of the Diener day. Many students partake in a school "contract" enabling them to earn positive incentives for hard work and appropriate behavior. As a vehicle for learning, understanding and developing empathy as well as understanding the gifts of giving and thinking responsibly, Diener students conduct "hands-on" community projects and are encouraged with positive incentives for hard work and appropriate behavior. The Diener School believes in the mind-body connection. In furtherance of the connection between movement and learning, the Diener day includes daily sensory exploration, movement breaks, brain-gym exercises, physical education with fitness experts, and after school sports.