When educators at A.D. Henderson School in Boca Raton, Florida, reflect on their accomplishments, one factor stands out: autonomy. In contrast to many teachers nationwide who express feeling overwhelmed, the staff at Henderson enjoys considerable freedom in the classroom, leading to exceptional outcomes.
Situated on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, this public school achieves remarkable performance, ranking in the top 1% to 3% in every subject and grade level on the state’s most recent standardized tests. Vanessa Stevenson, a middle school science teacher, exemplifies this freedom by planning to introduce an equine medicine class, despite the school lacking stables.
Superintendent Joel Herbst attributes the school's achievements to its faculty, whom he refers to as the "secret sauce," advocating for administrators elsewhere to relinquish some control. This approach, supported by Portland State University professor Madhu Narayanan, underscores the importance of autonomy, alongside administrative support, for faculty morale and success.
Henderson's curriculum places a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), integrating arts and humanities to enrich learning. The school's lottery-based admissions process ensures a diverse student body, with high levels of parental involvement.
Teachers such as Jenny O’Sullivan and Amy Miramontes engage students with innovative lessons, from teaching coding basics through robot navigation to unraveling medical mysteries. These methods not only spark interest but also aid in knowledge retention.
Lindsey Wuest, the elementary art teacher, stands out for integrating science into her lessons, such as creating clay bobblehead dolls of endangered species while explaining the chemistry of glazes.
Henderson's success has attracted grants, benefiting programs like the drone program, where students learn physics and aeronautics through competitions and hands-on activities.
Anik Sahai, an eighth grader, exemplifies Henderson's impact, developing an app to diagnose diabetic retinopathy, a project that originated in the school's preschool program.
The school's approach underscores the significance of autonomy, creativity, and hands-on learning in education, demonstrating that with adequate support, such methods can lead to extraordinary success.