Explorer began in 2000 with 120 children and the dream of creating a small school where social and emotional intelligence could be integrated with deep thinking and academic excellence.
These many years later, Explorer has grown to serve 340 children from throughout San Diego, acquired a permanent home, affiliated with High Tech High schools, and has become a model for educators nationwide.
At Explorer, we have seen that the awareness of self and others that is created through the school’s social curriculum has profound academic impacts. In writing, for example, children find and use their authentic voice. In history, children see and analyze differing perspectives. In science, children analyze a problem, hypothesize a solution, and test the solution with evidence – the same way their teachers teach them to solve a problem on the playground. Just as in social and emotional development, rote academic learning can be superficial and fleeting. Learning, both emotional and cognitive, that is rooted in rigorous analysis of self, others, texts, and data can be longer lasting, deeper and flexible.
We understand that teachers are the most important element in a child’s education. Explorer teachers are reflective practitioners who create their own curriculum, weave together social, emotional, and intellectual learning, and collaborate to build the school wide culture and practices that make Explorer the unique school that it is.
Explorer never could have started nor would it have survived, were it not for the support and involvement of its extraordinary parent body. Parents are partners in their child’s education and, alongside of our faculty, form a foundation from which our school has grown and flourished.
We welcome you to our website to learn more about our mission, classroom projects, and best practices. For parents, more detailed and up to date information about school events may be posted on our Parent Council website.
Sincerely,
Jean Kluver
Interim Principal
