From the Smarty Education Corner: Brothers share why they value The John Crosland School

CSP Team Note: Smarty Guest Blogger Dominic Mueller is a ninth-grade student at The John Crosland School. He has attended Crosland for a few years now with his brother, Jacob Mueller. Below, Dominic shares Jacob’s and his experiences at JCS.

The John Crosland School is exceptional in helping students learn the skills they’re missing and helping them master those same skills. For example, the school has helped me with social problems I’ve had, such as not being able to make many friends and academic skills that I lacked. I interviewed my seventh-grade brother, Jacob, and I asked him what he thought about the school, its faculty, and its extracurricular activities. I divided the questions into different sections, where I was able to provide both of our thoughts.

How does Crosland create its learning environment?

Both Jacob and I noted that the school worked in a more one-on-one learning environment than most schools. Jacob and I noticed that this could help students if they are behind on any skills, which may not be as easy in a large class. I personally noticed the way that the school handles electives, which is by seeing what a student enjoys doing. For instance, I enjoy helping people and creating stuff, and Crosland placed me into an elective that I enjoy, STEAM. If the student does not enjoy the elective, they can ask to switch to a different elective of their choice, considering that the elective is not entirely full. Truly, Jacob and I have noticed that the school has built a learning system designed for students to enjoy school and to learn any skills they may be lacking in.

Dominic and other brass instruments practice during band class

Think about the faculty, can you use three words to describe the teachers?

The three words he used were “consistent, helpful, and kind.” I agree with him, and I described the faculty as “polite, fun, and helpful.” Both my brother and I said that the faculty was helpful, and that they are willing to help students learn anything they may not know, without treating it as if it were a bad thing, or that they were behind in class. We mostly just noted that the faculty was kind and went out of their way to help people.

I have always had trouble making friends, but I feel like the school has helped me with that. I tend to be an antisocial person, but the school has helped me meet other people who I enjoy chatting with, and those people have turned into my best friends. Both Jacob and I hang out with some of our friends outside of school, too, and we have a lot of fun playing games or just chatting. Jacob also feels like his friends here are good, describing them as “compassionate and nice.”

Dominic with the rest of Crosland’s Beta Club during the spring induction

How can the school grow and continue to balance workload?

Jacob said he would like to see “more teachers or students, and just growing in general.” I agree with this, and I don’t really know if there’s much that I would like to see the school improve on. I also asked my brother about how the school helped with his learning, and he replied with, “It’s more one-on-one, and hands-on.” He basically means that he can learn material easier at this school, especially due to it having more hands-on activities. I also believe this, but I also think that the teachers balance the amount of work on an individual basis, not giving too much work, so it’s too challenging, but also not giving too little work, so it’s too easy.

What types of extracurricular activities do you do?

My brother said that the extracurricular activities “help me (Jacob) focus and stay on task.” Jacob is currently running on the cross country team. I agree that after school activities can help get energy out, and help students focus more. I mostly focus on academic extracurricular activities, such as Beta Club, which both help me and let me become a better person. Both Jacob and I agree that extracurricular activities are enjoyable.

Jacob runs at a cross county meet

We would love to make friends with your child, too, and see them grow at The John Crosland School.

The John Crosland School

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Tuesday, October 22 – 8:30-9:30 am Mini Tour
Wednesday, November 13 – 8:30-10:30 am Open House
Wednesday, December 4 – 9:00 am Realtors Open House
Monday, December 9 – 8:30-9:30 am Mini Tour
Tuesday, February 4 – 8:30-10:30 am Open House
Thursday, April 2 – 8:30-9:30 am Mini Tour

The John Crosland School
5146 Parkway Plaza Blvd.
Charlottte, NC 28217
704-365-5490 ext 709
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