Public Schools
Touchstones has been used in grades 2-12 in nearly every state in the US and numerous countries abroad for general education courses, gifted and talented programs, social emotional learning programs, counseling contexts, and more.
Students at Annapolis High School (MD) engage in Whole Class Discussion.
Public Charter Schools
Charter schools have become one of our largest school partner groups. Touchstones has been used in elementary, middle, and high school charter programs with all types of curricular focus areas across the US.
Students in the teacher education program at Esperanza Academy Charter School (PA) work with partners in Small Group Work.
Classical Curriculum Schools
Touchstones has long been a part of classics school programs of all types and for all ages. Touchstones encourages students to wrestle with enduring ideas and explore the ideals of a classical approach to education. At the same time, our approach to socio-emotional learning and intellectual rigor develops thinking skills, curiosity, and flexibility needed for success in school, work, and 21st century life.
Covington Classical Academy (KY) shows students in Touchstones discussions in various courses. Source: Covington Classical Academy Facebook page
Religious Independent Schools
Touchstones programs include texts from diverse genres and by thinkers across various faiths. Thus, religious schools find our programs useful in encouraging students to more deeply consider the roots and implications of faith in the world.
Middle school students at St. Martin’s in the Field Episcopal School (MD) engage in reading the text to start the lesson.
Secular Independent Schools
Independent schools of all kinds use Touchstones programs to deepen students’ critical thinking skills and broaden students’ exposure to wide-ranging cultures and ideas, as well as to foster community among their learners.
Students in grades 4-6 at Wilmington Montessori (DE) don’t even require chairs to get the discussion going.
International Schools
International schools use Touchstones to build students’ communication skills, enhance the feeling of belonging, and grow mindful leaders and collaborative thinkers as global citizens.
Students at Trinity College School (Ontario, Canada) are deep in thought and discussion.
Homeschooling Environments (individual homes and co-ops)
Homeschooling environments use Touchstones to strengthen interpersonal skills, encourage independence, and build confidence in expressing their own ideas while learning with and from others. At the same time, students in homeschool groups and co-ops gain important leadership skills as they work together to build connections and understanding.
In their discussions together, elementary age students learn essential cooperation and listening skills.
Online Schools
The Touchstones process is readily adapted for online schooling and not only fosters academic skills such as analytical reasoning but also helps students to build community with each other online. Most of our programs for all ages are available in digital formats with subscription access.
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