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The
Branch School
HISTORY
 In 1977, Helen Shaner Hankins found
herself searching Houston for the best school to educate her
young daughter - a situation many parents are facing today.
She was looking for a safe, creative place where children's
innate abilities were respected and nurtured. The Branch
School was born out of that desire to see the total education
of the child in an environment in tune with Christian Science
values.
THE BRANCH SCHOOL DIFFERENCE
 The world of The Branch School
is one of endless opportunities for children to fulfill their
potential. You will see active, involved students working together
with dedicated staff as the children discover new ideas and
apply them to their everyday lives and interests. Students
learn the social skills necessary to create a peaceful classroom.
Preschoolers work with a multitude of hands-on activities while
being nurtured in a warm and caring  environment.
Elementary students are engaged in varied experiences related
to long-term projects. These
projects provide students with ongoing opportunities for planning,
for developing critical thinking and for implementing ideas.
The internationally acclaimed program, Odyssey of the Mind,
is an integral part of our curriculum. Read below about this year’s exciting results!
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
 Odyssey of the Mind helps students
develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Seven students,
wishing to compete outside the school, wrote and performed
a play about founding Texas from outer space. These third through
fifth grade students competed in the city-wide OM competition.
Their fourth place earned them the right to compete at the
state level in April, where they placed second in their division
for Texas, which then qualified the team to go on to international
competition. In late May they competed in Ames, Iowa, at World
Finals. We are proud that our team won eighth place in world-class
competition!
OUR MISSION
The mission of The Branch School is to provide a strong educational environment where the inherent God-given abilities of children are acknowledged and nurtured. The Branch School provides a strong academic education for each child through discovery, discipline, and demonstration. The Branch School promotes the growth of the whole child in all areas of development – academic, physical, social, moral and spiritual – in accord with Christian principles. The concept of educating the whole child nurtures unique abilities, talents, and achievements; supports character development; and prepares each student for a life as an active learner, problem-solver, good citizen, and peacemaker.
The Branch School fulfills
its mission by:
- offering a strong academic
foundation in reading, language arts, math, social studies,
and science, with an appreciation for art, music, drama,
and literature.
- providing a variety of learning
experiences to enhance the opportunity for discovery.
teaching the child to think independently, freely, and honestly.
- motivating the child with
challenges and successes academically, physically, socially,
morally, and spiritually.
- including the community as
a valuable educational resource by encouraging the children
to expand their thoughts outward and explore the infinite
opportunities around them.
- recognizing the value of a
strong school-parent relationship and taking every opportunity
to support this relationship.
- achieving a diverse student
body whereby each child can learn to appreciate and celebrate
each other's particular gifts.
 The Branch School supports the practice of Christian Science
by:
- basing the concepts of education
on a spiritual foundation.
- respecting and supporting
the child's God-given ability to think and act rightly.
- maintaining an atmosphere
of purity, discipline, and love in which the child may grow
and learn.
- striving to follow the direction
of the one Mind, God, in every way.
The Branch School does not teach
Christian Science. The school recognizes that children should
be formally taught Christian Science only in Sunday Schools
as stated in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker
Eddy.
 OUR PRESENT
From its humble beginnings around
a kitchen table, The Branch School has grown into a spacious,
well-equipped facility on a beautifully wooded campus in west
Houston. The school was designed with the security of children
in mind. Our staff is well qualified - some with advanced degrees,
all with many years of experience observing and understanding
the needs of children. They are devoted to helping students
awaken to the joy of learning through discovering their strengths
and interests. Thanks to the many generous parents and friends
of the school, wonderful facilities are provided for students
of all races and religions.
 LOOKING AHEAD
The future
looks bright for The Branch School! We have a successful record of educational excellence on which to build. Our enrollment
is at an all-time high, with more wonderful families joining
us continually. In order to meet the demands of increased enrollment,
The Branch School developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan
in the fall of 2001. This plan guides our decisions in all
aspects of the school: maintaining high quality programs and
personnel; strengthening parent, alumni, and community involvement;
assuring a sound financial basis for growth; maintaining beautiful
and well-functioning facilities; and procuring adequate property
should we decide to expand through middle school. Our immediate
goal is to fill classes at each grade level, assuring small
class sizes throughout the school. A longer-range goal, should
we decide to expand through eighth grade, would be the acquisition
of additional property. Meanwhile, we will continue to offer
a dynamic education for preschool and elementary children in
West Houston. |
CONTACTS:
If you're
searching for a place where strong academics, peacemaking skills,
respect and imagination thrive, come to The Branch School. We
welcome your questions. For application information or a tour,
please contact our Head of School.
Emily Smith
Head of School
The Branch School
1424 Sherwood Forest Drive
Houston, Texas 77043
Click here for map
713-465-0288
email:
belll@thebranchschool.org
web site:
www.thebranchschool.org
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