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What is Reggio?

Globally Respected Elite Education That Promotes:

  • Real-World Application

  • Curiosity

  • Collaboration

  • Creativity

  • Imagination

  • Interest-driven activities

Founder of the Reggio Approach

Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education is named after the town of Reggio Emilia in the Romagna province of northern Italy. In Reggio Emilia, publicly funded schools provide education for children from birth to six years. These schools have been described as among the best in the world!  Although the Reggio approach was initially implemented in Early Childhood settings, it is now being integrated in Elementary schools around the world including Reggio Emilia itself.

The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences.

-Loris Malaguzzi-

The schools of Reggio Emilia began as a parent initiative. With the end of World War II, parents in Italy banded together and founded the town’s first pre-school. They had a vision for a new kind of school where children would be treated with respect and parents would be active participants in their children’s education.

The parents sought the help of educator Loris Malaguzzi (1920 – 1994) to set up schools that reflected their vision. From the start, the Reggio early childhood approach reflected openness and responsiveness to new ideas and developed a curriculum that differs from the rigidity of public schools. His approach was to stimulate long-term in-depth research projects as the primary path to learning, which is one of the fundamental features of Reggio that inspires and sets it apart from conventional settings. Throughout his whole life and work, Malaguzzi inspired and guided educational reforms to early education across the entire globe.

International recognition of the Reggio preschools exploded in 1991, when a panel of experts commissioned by Newsweek magazine identified the preschools of Reggio Emilia as one of the “best top ten schools in the world” (Newsweek 1991). Also, this innovative educational approach has made an impact quickly worldwide through the Hundred Languages of Children exhibits. This display is a traveling exhibition that has been telling the story of the Reggio Emilia educational experience worldwide to thousands of visitors for over twenty-five years.

Today, leading corporations and institutions are increasingly adopting the Reggio Emilia approach for their preschool programs. Google and the World Bank, for example, have become prominent users and advocates for this approach to early childhood education. Today the Reggio Emilia Approach is used by them and over 5,000 other schools worldwide.

Reggio Approach to Education

Students using glow bracelets

 

Re-Imagining Education

Leaders in Innovative Learning

Creative Inspiration Journey School (CIJS) offers a Reggio-inspired, research based curriculum that focuses on integrating learning through projects. We have the flexibility to individualize curriculum in each classroom that best supports the Reggio Emilia guiding principles that promote endless ways of thinking through the “hundred languages of children”. Our scholars explore, discover, invent, create, speak, sing, dream, collaborate and listen all while engaging in the use of critical thinking skills, problem solving and experiential learning. Our unique and innovative curriculum is designed to instill a love for life-long learning.

Why is Reggio a Particularly Successful Approach to Education?

Encourages Project-Based Opportunities: Learning is interdisciplinary: literacy, science, art, social studies, and other subjects are integrated as much as possible and related to real-world projects. As a result, learning is deep and meaningful rather than superficial

Hands-On Learning: Creates long-term retention and true comprehension rather than rote memorization (where they regurgitate and forget soon thereafter)

Higher Level Thinking: Opportunities to utilize true comprehension and critical thinking skills as students engage in question/answer problem-solving while participating in experiments or group projects that allow them to think through the process of a task

Collaborative Learning: Teachers are partners in student learning as

  • Students make predictions and through the discovery phase, find their own answers
  • Teachers guide students through the self-discovery process
  • Teachers structure the curriculum based on students’ innate interests
  • Children become life-long learners through this process
  • Children experience mutual respect between students and teachers
  • Allows creativity
  • Motivates children’s interest and involvement
  • Ensures children work at appropriate developmental levels
  • Provides a well-balanced curriculum which prepares students for higher level education
  • Includes meaningful assessments
  • Integrates technology based curriculum
Kids playing with glow beads

 

Experiential Learning

Creates opportunities for Scholars to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for results within their own learning. Scholars reflect, analyze and engage intellectually in inquiry based lessons that result in knowledge that transfers to future success.



  

Student Researchers

CIJS Scholars engage in rigorous discussions with varying perspectives for each investigation. Topics are selected based on interest and state standards. Research promotes the ability to:

  • Identify and ask appropriate question
  • Design and conduct investigations
  • Collect evidence
  • Draw conclusions
  • Communicate while acquiring the research findings

The process of research is essential in preparing students for 21st century learning.  

Making Learning Visible

Scholars and adults learn from each other, teaching new perspectives and ways of thinking. Documenting learning allows for opportunities to self reflect, reteach misconceptions and to dive deeper into discussions. 




 

Will My Child Thrive with Reggio?

All families are welcome to apply for Creative Inspiration Journey School (CIJS). However, not every school is a good fit for every child. Because CIJS is Reggio-inspired and focuses on project-based learning, particular learning environments are characteristic of our school. Students grow and learn best in environments that are suited to their personalities and ones that they naturally enjoy. 

Students who thrive at CIJS feel comfortable with the below attributes. As you choose the school that is best for you and your child, you may find the following information helpful: 

  • Transitions, Stimulation & Change: CIJS provides a visually stimulating and active environment that involves numerous transitions throughout the day, both within the classroom and between classes and specials. 

  • Flexibility:  While CIJS offers a carefully planned and organized curriculum, scheduling is often flexible, so that our student researchers can dive more deeply into related concepts that arise in line with student interests. Teachers are trained  to teach standards while capitalizing on these interests. Consequently, activities can often take unpredictable turns.  Students who do best at CIJS, find such flexible environments academically interesting.

  • Abstract Thinking & Openness:  Inquiry-based teaching is an essential aspect of Reggio education. Students are continually asked to engage in creative and critical thinking that involves analyzing, abstract thought, the consideration of hypothetical situations and that make use of metaphors and figurative language. While these activities are geared toward children’s developmental levels, they do require openness and a tolerance for interpretation of concepts which allows students to engage in investigative work.  

  • Group Sizes:  Students engage in activities with multiple group sizes throughout the day.  Direct instruction is often provided, in addition to projects, and can sometimes be offered to small groups of children, but assistants and one-on-one instruction is not available. CIJS predominantly offers the following Teacher:Student ratios. 

    • Pre-K: 1:11 or 2:20 during VPK hours. 1:20 students during extended care hours.

    • Grades K-3: 1:18

    • Grades 4-8: 1:22

In addition to environmental factors, please take time to review our School Policies to determine if CIJS is a good fit for you and your family.

For questions, contact our Admissions Specialist at admissions@cijsreggioscholars.org.

Testimonials

Bennett Family

I switched my son from his old school to Creative and it was the BEST decision I ever made. They are extremely friendly and professional. My child has been learning so much and has a lot of fun doing it. He is more of a hands on learner and this school is perfect for that! - Bennett Family

Bueno Family

Amazing School!! My daughter did VPK here. She learned so much so quickly. The campus is beautiful and homey. The teachers and staff truly care about the children. The sense of community is definitely at CIJS. We are looking forward to Kindergarten. - Bueno Family

Gomez Family

This school is a godsend. One of my kids had been denied gifted education at a different school, her hard work has now been recognized at CIJS. Another child that was bullied and struggling in a traditional public school, now fits in and is finally learning and happy. My youngest would live at the school if we let her. The teachers are amazing, highly talented, creative and very caring. The music program is amazing and we love that sewing is offered as an after school program. Food science is also a big deal. Those programs we grew up with (life skills) are so needed now days. We highly recommend the school. - Gomez Family

Heidemann Family

Creative, fun…..a true love of learning and not just testing. My kids enjoy going to school. I never have to push them out the door! They always want to go! - Heidemann Family

Roberts Family

This is by far the best school in St. Cloud for my daughter, we couldn’t be happier. Madison thrives there, and we love the sense of community within the school. It’s also refreshing to see a school that takes a hands on approach to learning, and still has all of the essential programs such as art, music, PE, agriculture, and more. - Roberts Family

Rodriguez Family

My son has attending CIJS for second grade and I am extremely impressed! I love the hands on learning and I highly recommend this school if you want to step out of the “traditional” way. My son already has learned so much is such a short amount of time!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! - Rodriguez Family

 

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