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Many features of the Bowman program were originally designed to support two-parent working families. Over time, however, even the most traditional families at Bowman have come to appreciate the school's unique benefits. First and foremost, all families appreciate the superior, individualized and self-directed education that Bowman provides. It is unique on the mid-Peninsula.
Many families take advantage of the school's flexibility and extended day schedule. Although some families avail themselves of the extra hours less frequently than others, they still appreciate the flexibility the school provides each day. They are particularly appreciative of not having to commit to a routine drop-off or pickup schedule and not having to pay extra money for the extended time.
Many Bowman families have come to embrace the flexibility inherent in the school's twelve month schedule. Different families take different amounts of vacation at different times of the year to suit their family needs. The full year program allows families to avoid crowds during common school holidays, and avoid the expensive "summer shuffle" from summer camp to summer camp. Bowman provides rich educational continuity to children, while providing scheduling flexibility to their families. All Bowman families use this flexibility in different ways.
Many families appreciate the variety of methods that are available to communicate with the school and their children. Some phone; some leave voicemail; some fax; some e-mail.
Most families appreciate the range of opportunities they have to contribute to the school (see Topic #10 for more detail), based on their time and interests. They also appreciate the school's sensitivity to their time and the absence of participatory requirements.
All families appreciate the school's flexibility in scheduling student conferences and finding time to discuss important issues
The curriculum at Bowman is based on detailed, developmental continuums of knowledge and skills for each academic discipline. These continuums have served as the basis for Montessori school curriculums -- in this country and around the world -- for years. Bowman has incorporated much of this proven curriculum into its own, a curriculum which has been successful in a variety of environments and with many types of students.
The curriculum at Bowman is not structured into grades like many other public and independent schools. Graded curriculums typically direct teaching at the "average" student in an age group and can limit students who can perform at higher levels. In contrast, Bowman allows students to progress academically on the basis of their ability, rather than age or grade. Since all children have strengths and weaknesses and progress at different rates, the Bowman curriculum supports and works with these differences.
Bowman continually monitors and supplements its curriculum with activities based on educational research and results. In addition, the school keeps abreast of state and local curriculum frameworks and issues.
All children enter the world as self-directed learners. Some children do, however, "unlearn" this skill if they are in environments that fail to support it.
The entire culture of the Bowman International School is organized to support self-direction and provide students with lifelong learning skills: The classroom is structured to lead children to different disciplines and materials in ways that foster success and encourage self-direction. Teachers, who are supported by a favorable teacher-student ratio, have the time to observe and draw out a child's natural curiosity and encourage self-direction. Other students model self-directed behaviors and help classmates who initially find it difficult.
Bowman is a community. As in all communities, relationships among students develop for different reasons. Some students share interests or similar abilities. Some students forge relationships by helping one another. Still other students work together in the classroom or play together on the soccer field. Just like the "real world", age has little to do with relationships at Bowman.
Consequently, social development at Bowman is not a product of a child's age or peer group. It is the product of a rich web of relationships among students who interact daily in their multi-age classes. Through this interaction students make friends and learn to value and work with other students of different personalities, abilities, ages, and sexes.
Bowman is open between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM daily. THe classroms are open to students from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while the formal academic hours are from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The before-school session from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM and the After School Program from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM are optional and available at no extra charge, without advanced reservations.
Bowman provides an "extended school day" that is more flexible and enriching than many "before and after school care programs" at other schools. Children can arrive at Bowman as early as 7:30 in the morning before school starts at 8:30. Children who stay at school past 3:30 PM have additional opportunities for work and play. The After School Program is staffed by regular members of Bowman staff and offers planned curricular and enrichment activities until 6:00 PM. In addition, many parents lead clubs or short-term instruction on a wide-variety of subjects during the After School Program hours.
Unlike many public and independent schools, Bowman does not ask parents to commit to a routine schedule for this extended day use or charge parents additional fees for this service. All daily activities at Bowman are covered through the monthly tuition. This can save families thousands of dollars a year in childcare fees.
In many schools, the number of days the school is closed each year equates to the number of vacation days available to its students. Bowman is different. Recognizing that long summer vacations were an 19th century solution for farming families, Bowman aims to accommodate the diversity in today's busy families.
To provide families with the greatest flexibility, Bowman is closed approximately 15 days a year. This allows families to schedule vacations for their children when it best serves family needs and for as long as they find appropriate. Bowman families take vacations when they want to, not when they are dictated to by a school calendar. Because the majority of instruction at Bowman is individualized, vacationing students do not fall behind when they are absent. Formal Bowman vacation days include:
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving (2 days)
- Christmas Day
- Winter Break (last week of December)
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
Bowman does not require uniforms but does have a simple dress code requiring practical, modest clothing. The school asks children to wear sturdy, washable and easy to manage clothing. Bowman students are required to have sneakers and socks for daily physical education.
Students at Bowman are asked to bring nutritional lunches to school each day. Bowman encourages the children to pack their own lunches and make choices that eliminate candy and other foods containing large amounts of sugar, fat, additives or preservatives.
A hot lunch program is also offered through Nob Hill Catering. Contact the office for further details.
Children are allowed ample time each day to eat lunch between their morning and afternoon activities. Lunch is preceded by an outdoor activity that whets student appetites and helps subdue lunch time energy.
The school has a kitchen, and cooking is part of the curriculum, which provides the children with an opportunity to make and try foods they might not otherwise experience.
Bowman encourages parent participation and also recognizes the demanding schedules many of its parents face day-to-day. Consequently, the school invites parents to share their talents in ways that fit best with their lives. There are many different opportunities for involvement.
Parents have the opportunity to lend their talent on special curriculum-related school projects and/or bring their interests, hobbies, and talents to the students through Bowman After School Program clubs or short-term classes.
All Bowman parents are automatically members of the Bowman Association of Parents (BAP) and are invited to attend several parent meetings throughout the year. These meetings are intended to help parents keep abreast of what is happening at the school, address parent concerns, build community, and plan educational and school-wide events. Parent input into meeting topics is welcome.
Parents also receive a copy of the Bowman Compass, the school's quarterly newsletter. They also receive a calendar of each month's events and activities, the monthly Bowman in the Home parent education article, and a weekly Friday Note from classroom teachers.
The school holds occasional work parties and social events to which all families are invited. Two of our most popular events are Octoberfest in the fall and Founder's Day in the spring.
Bowman conducts an annual fundraising campaign. Unlike many independent schools, Bowman parents are not formally obligated to contribute annually to the school's fundraising efforts. However, personal donations and individual, corporate or foundation grants, are necessary, welcome, and encouraged so Bowman can continue to deliver its superior curriculum, teacher-student ratios, facilities, and year-round, full-day program.
Bowman is a nonprofit school and all donations to Bowman are fully tax-deductible.
Please contact the school for the current tuition amount and payment options. Call (650) 813-9131 or email: info@bowmanschool.org
The only additional fee that Bowman has historically charged is for the Middle School field trips to Boston, Europe, or Japan. Bowman does not assess additional fees for books, materials, field trips, snacks, or the extended day schedule. The school's tuition is set to cover all recurring educational costs.
Bowman offers an extended payment plan, allowing families that need it the option to pay tuition over nine months. It does not currently offer financial aid or scholarships.
No. Bowman does not offer sibling discounts.
Because Bowman students are expected to organize and manage their time each day to complete their daily assignments, the need for traditional homework is eliminated. This is particularly true since many of the school's students stay until later in the day and take advantage of the school's extended day schedule. However, periodically, "homework" might refer to work that can only be done at home, e.g. charting the path of the moon's eclipse or watching a Presidential speech. There are occasions when this type of work is required.
Bowman parents are encouraged to be involved with their children in other advantageous activities in their evening hours, e.g. reading, playing games and puzzles, listening to music, doing crafts, participating in family discussions and activities, and supervising their children's "real homework", tasks assigned by parents in the home that contribute to the family's well-being.
In the Middle School years some traditional homework may be assigned to prepare students for their transition to high school. Even then, however, students who come from self-directed programs are often very proficient in managing their time during the day to complete their homework.
Bowman is an "international school" because of the school's commitment to integrate a global perspective throughout its curriculum and daily routine. From the meeting each morning in which students discuss world news, events and holidays, to their foreign language instruction, international cookery, art, field trips, computer research, special guests, parade of costumes and school parties, an international theme is ever present.
Enhancing the school's global commitment is the fact that many Bowman families bring different cultural experiences to the school because they originated from other countries, have lived in other countries, or have traveled extensively. In addition, all Bowman families, regardless of their international exposure, recognize the need for a global education. They support and encourage their children's curiosity and sensitivity about people and places around the world.
In communities similar to Palo Alto, graduates of self-directed programs are typically divided in their choice of high schools. Approximately fifty percent go on to other independent schools and fifty percent enter local high schools. Students are equally successful with either choice. Bowman currently has graduates at Gunn High School, Palo Alto High School, Menlo-Atherton High School, Menlo School, Harker School, Castilleja, Pinewood, Woodside Priory, Crystal Springs, and Kings Academy.
Graduates of self-directed programs are typically well-rounded, self-confident students who have strong academic capabilities. They are able to manage choice and independence, seek and find information, and think critically. They apply imagination and creativity to problems, work beyond set limits, and seek real understanding of subjects. Self-directed students are often organized learners who manage their time well and communicate well, in oral and written form. They are well equipped to handle the freedom and rigor of any high school program. They have a strong preparatory foundation for continued learning throughout their lives.
To meet some recent graduates of Bowman click HERE.
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