In this issue of Benchmark Magazine, we explore arts integration—an instructional approach where the visual and performing arts are included across the curriculum—as an important articulation of our larger focus on innovation in instruction.

My days at Benchmark begin with a front row witness of our children’s entry into their schoolhouse. Through this ritual I have come to see that each child has a unique “signature” as they take these first steps across the bridge from home to school.

Students in Mrs. Arabia's class have been learning about kindness and inclusivity. When our music teacher Mrs. Veacock shared the song "Yay, People" from City Love with the students, they liked it so much that they convinced Mrs. Veacock that they should make a video as a surprise.

What might you need to survive in a hunter-gatherer society? As a follow-on activity to Nicole Scali’s sixth grade social studies lesson on the Stone Age, she asked her students to create functional hunter-gatherer baskets using only glue, 80 strips of paper, brushes, and a plan.

Alex Templeton's seventh graders are extending their learning about the Civil War by going hands-on in our Innovation Lab.

Benchmark School is delighted to announce the selection of our new Head of School, Chris Hancock.

We are thrilled to announce that Benchmark School’s Innovation Lab is a finalist in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards for 2019 in the Learning category.

We’re delighted to welcome new faces to our Benchmark community for the 2019-2020 school year, as well as to announce exciting staffing moves.