Bringing the Philosophy to Life: How Educational Goals are Enacted in an Alternative Elementary School

This qualitative case study utilizes observations and interviews to examine how an alternative elementary school enacts its educational goals. Findings suggest that the school effectively enacts its Educational Values,
and this is done by having staff and students who are flexible, communicative, and conscientious of the need to continually assess and reflect upon those school goals. The case study demonstrates how having an alignment between school goals, context, and culture can be effective for goal enactment. The author concludes by recommending that, in order for a school to enact its intended goals, it must (1) articulate those goals, (2) institutionalize time to discuss, refine, and enact those goals, and (3) consider whether the surrounding culture or context is aligned to those goals.