Academics Overview
Personalized and Student-Centered Learning
At Meridian, learning is alive and led by students, who ask questions and drive the instructional time. Our teachers don’t just deliver lessons to be memorized—they bring them alive through local field trips, experiments, and real-life applications of lessons. Most tests are project-based and hands-on.
Our curriculum is aligned to the Common Core, which are nationwide standards in mathematics and English language arts (ELA). These standards are uniform in order to set high expectations for each student and teacher throughout the educational system.
What does ‘inquiry-based’ mean?
This model is a type of instruction that involves posing an engaging question for discussion. This model helps students form their own understanding of the lesson rather than a teacher telling them what to think.
What is ‘student-centered’ instruction?
Meridian students enjoy classroom activities that address their distinct learning needs, interests, aspirations, or cultural backgrounds. These activities empower children to take charge of their learning, show off what they know, and explain the skills being taught in their own words. This model promotes a sense of pride and accomplishment in our students.
Personalization first
Core to our mission is that each student, regardless of his or her academic level, finds joy in learning.
Our model allows students more one-on-one time with instructors than a traditional classroom structure. This additional attention is crucial for younger children in particular because this is when gaps in skills or understanding create problems quickly.
Meridian has multiple teachers or instructional aides in classrooms who teach in smaller groups. This model gives our students more one-on-one attention..
Read on for more on our specific programs for our pre-school, elementary, and middle school students.
Socio-Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Meridian’s implementation of SEL curriculum is embedded in morning meetings, advisory, closing circles and community meetings, and an SEL block in each grade level dedicated to explicitly teaching strong character traits to students.
A message from the Head of School:
Dear Families and Community Members,
Welcome to our current and prospective families! Meridian is a special place to be, and I am confident that you will feel like family from the moment you step foot inside our school.
Please allow me to introduce myself. I joined the Meridian team in July 2019 as Head of School. I am a native of Northwest Indiana, and the oldest of six children. My five younger siblings had the pleasure of being my first students around the dinner table as I helped them through their homework. I continued to explore my love of teaching at the University of Chicago, where I majored in mathematics and education policy. After moving to DC after college, I served as a mathematics and engineering teacher, instructional coach, and principal in Prince George's County, Maryland. Most recently, I was principal of Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts Academy, a nationally-recognized K-8 magnet program for the arts in Suitland, MD. I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from American University in DC and am currently working on my PhD in Education Policy Studies at the University of Maryland. I currently live in Greenbelt, MD with my wife, my son, and my two furry companions, Puddles and Wrigley. I look forward to working alongside you, our students, and the entire Meridian team to ensure outstanding academic and socioemotional outcomes for each and every one of our children.
Meridian is a loving, joyful place for our students to learn, explore, and grow. If you are already part of the Meridian family, I am looking forward to working alongside you, your students, and our staff. If you’re considering joining the Meridian family, I hope to get to know you and your student and welcome the opportunity to show you what Meridian has to offer. It’s a new day at Meridian and I’m excited to partner with you for your child’s success!
Educationally,
Matthew McCrea, Head of School
Online programs used in the classroom and at home
i-Ready
Used during K–8 "Owl Hour" (intervention/remediation block) for practicing Math and ELA skills, the program provides targeted practice to a student at his or her instructional level. This structure makes it easy for each child to practice the material he or she needs to fill gaps in learning, keep up with the class, and even advance in topic areas of interest.
Learning A-Z
An extensive collection of leveled reading resources. With more than 2,000 books at 29 levels of reading difficulty to choose from, to easily put developmentally appropriate content into each student's hands. This program also includes corresponding resources to enhance instruction and strengthen students' reading skills, such as guided lesson plans, worksheets, assessments, and much more.
NWEA MAP
Used in the Fall, Winter, and Spring to assess student skills in mathematics and reading. Teachers use NWEA MAP to develop instructional plans for classes. Often used in conjunction with companion program MAP Skills, a skills mastery and progress monitoring assessment that helps teachers drill down to the specific skills each student needs to learn. Teachers see exactly what struggling students are missing and advanced students are ready to take on—then adjust instruction in the moment and monitor student progress.
Technology-focused Creative Arts classes also use a variety of online programs like TypingClub and Code Monkey to learn age appropriate keyboarding and coding skills.