What if the sky wasn’t the limit for learning opportunities?

The Aerie Approach

Aerie is the endlessly expandable curriculum. Now in its sixth decade at Wheeler, Aerie offers school-wide enrichment through both curricular and extra-curricular offerings, utilizing a rich network of instructors from on campus and around the world.

Beyond the Curriculum

Lower School: Enriched Curriculum

Our Choice, Challenge, and Curiosity-Driven Curriculum guide the Aerie approach in the Lower School. Aerie provides multiple pathways for students to become immersed in learning, discover new passions, and dig deeper into individual interests. At its core, the Aerie Approach promotes creativity and uncommon energy in the learning process, contributing to Wheeler’s mission to “learn out powers and be answerable for their use.” From the guiding question in Kindergarten, How can the Farm guide classroom learning and inquiry? to 5th-grade students collaborating with peers to develop accurate map projections, the Aerie approach in the Lower School engages students in thinking critically and actively, developing greater empathy, and fostering a deeper global understanding. Every kindergarten through 5th-grade class has regular classroom enrichment and 4th- and 5th-grade students also have choice-driven elective opportunities throughout the year.

Middle School: Expanded Opportunities

With students in Grades 6-8 realizing their powers of intellect and their passions for learning, the Aerie Approach supports the million-and-one possibilities this age group dreams up.

• Want to write a screenplay?
  Aerie finds an accomplished author to work with an aspiring writer.
• Advanced beyond the Math or Languages curricula or needing a tutor?
  We take you where you are and progress accordingly.
• Wish you had your own podcast or radio show?
  Our Digital Production Studio has the state-of-the-art equipment and guides, and WELH 88.1 FM with 20,000 listeners.

You bring the ideas. Aerie makes it happen.

Upper School: Tailored Learning

In Grades 9-12, Aerie means curricular experiments, projects, courses, and seminars tailored to individual student interests and needs. If your interests lie outside the curriculum, Aerie has the resources and connections to find the right teacher. Often, a singular academic foray morphs: an independent study for one becomes a seminar for 10 and then a staple in the Wheeler curriculum.

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