Mirman At A Glance
How do I know if my child is highly gifted?
At Mirman, we recognize gifted students by their deep questions, insatiable curiosity, and big ideas. Highly gifted is a clinical term applied to people in the top 1-2% of intelligence norms, so determining if a child is highly gifted requires IQ testing. There are many indicators of a potentially gifted child. These include advanced language skills, early demonstration of analytical thinking, a surprisingly global perspective, profound curiosity, and accelerated learning. Giftedness can take many forms in a young person; we encourage you to consult a psychologist or your child’s pediatrician for further information.
What is Mirman’s curriculum?
At Mirman, we believe that no school should put a limit on what a child can learn. For that reason, our curriculum model is based on a combination of acceleration and increased depth and complexity. Each of our classes is accelerated by one academic year, meaning a 3rd grade class will cover what is traditionally 4th grade material. Those grade-level standards are then taught through a thematic lens that encourages students to explore the topics with greater depth and complexity. This allows for our students to be challenged academically while still being in a class of same-age peers that is designed to promote and support their social and emotional development.
How will Mirman support my child’s unique strengths?
Giftedness is an asynchronous development, meaning that every student at Mirman has a unique set of strengths and areas for growth. Our goal is to make sure that there are no limits on what a child can learn, while also making sure they are supported and not overwhelmed in areas where they may still be developing. For this reason, Mirman works to provide individualized attention that provides the appropriate level of challenge for every student in every subject. In a Mirman classroom, it is not uncommon to see multiple small groups approaching a topic at different levels of complexity. In a math class, you may see one group modeling basic equations using manipulatives while another group is working on solving more advanced algebra problems. When reading a class novel, one literature circle may be working on sequencing the plot, while another is discussing larger themes the writer addressed in the book. The goal is for every student in our classrooms to be known, challenged, and appreciated.
How does Mirman communicate a child’s progress?
Our faculty and administration share the professional perspective that grades and report cards should not be seen as compensation; instead, these should offer communication related to student progress. Each child grows and learns at their own pace, so we not only report information on a student’s academic and social-emotional development, but also provide information that will serve as a guide for continued and purposeful growth. Teachers communicate what students in their classroom are learning through classroom newsletters, emails, phone calls, online platforms, progress reports, and periodic parent conferences. The goal of these communications is to encourage students and families to think more deeply about student outcomes, learning, and growth.
Does Mirman provide real world experiences and diversity?
Mirman values and constantly works toward a wide diversity of thought, beliefs, and backgrounds on our campus. Our curriculum and experiential learning opportunities encourage our students to appreciate different perspectives. Our families represent a wide range of races, ethnicities, religions, family structures, and walks of life, and their stories are highlighted and honored throughout campus life. With an increased emphasis on involvement in our community, students have the opportunity to engage with the world around them, identifying areas of need and working to help out. Whether it’s third graders running a book drive to help increase access to literature in a neighboring school or eighth graders attending the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference, our goal is to produce students who are fully engaged with, and open to, the world around them.
Is Mirman only focused on academic achievement?
At Mirman, we take a holistic approach to learning, which means our school is not strictly an academic environment. There are vibrant arts and athletics communities at Mirman. We feel our students are able to challenge themselves and learn just as much on the field, court, or stage as they do in the classroom. Just as we work to provide the appropriate level of challenge for our students in math or reading, we support the passionate artistic or athletic student with many opportunities to develop their skills and perform. We truly believe that one passion does not need to exclude another. At Mirman, a student is encouraged and guided to enjoy both a vigorous academic path and a variety of extracurricular activities. Our goal is to foster our students’ passions and provide opportunities to try, and excel at, new things.
How does Mirman approach character education?
Our goal at Mirman is to engage the whole child. Along with academic, artistic, and athletic programs, we strive to make sure our students develop strong character. This development is framed by the Mirman Core Values (Responsibility, Integrity, Discovery, Empathy, Resilience), which describe the skills we feel are necessary for children to achieve success both inside and out of the Mirman classroom. By organizing our curriculum and instruction around these ideas of responsibility, integrity, discovery, empathy, and resilience, we work to make sure every Mirman student is an individual of high character. Whether in an Upper School advisory group, a Lower School homeroom, or out on the playground, our faculty is dedicated to engaging in character building discussions and teaching students what it means to be an honest, kind, and caring person.
I don’t live or work close to Mirman. How can we make the school work for our family?
As Mirman is not a traditional neighborhood school, many of our families do not live close to our campus. For this reason, Mirman offers several school bus routes that service different regions of Los Angeles. Many families also carpool with other Mirman families in their area. The Admissions Office is happy to put you in touch with a family from your area who will have more information on making the commute work or coordinating carpools.