SOF devotes the bulk of its resources to maintaing small class sizes to support a true student-centered environment. Each grade has about 100 students - 25 in each of four class sections - and the school on the whole serves about 600 students. We learn and teach best when we know each other well. Small class sizes allow teachers to know each students intimately so as to bolster their strengths and support their areas of need.

Curriculum is designed to allow students to learn using many modalities. Students engage in accountable talk, group work, individual assessments, arts-integration projects, technology-based projects. Rarely will you find any SOF classroom where students are sitting quietly listening to a lecture. Instead, our classrooms brim constantly with excited learning in progress. Small classes allow students to know each other well and feel deeply connected to one another and their teachers.

To further allow teacher-student relationships to blossom, students have the same team of teachers for 2 years grades 7/8 and 9/10. 6th graders all have the same team of teachers who are experts in 6th grade as a poignant transition year. Students in the Senior Institute (11th/12th grade) may not have the same teachers their second year depending on the electives and focus they choose as they prepare for college.

We have an advisory program where each staff member works closely with 15 students. The advisor serves as the primary contact person between school and family. Advisory meets twice a week to delve into issues relevant for each grade. Advisory is a place to further build community as well as deal with non-academic life around school - social-emotional issues, questions of self and belonging, adolescent/teen priorities, service learning,.... etc. We relish this opportunity to know our students in a non-academic environment. Families can trust SOF to love their children by holding them to the highest standards. We pride ourselves on "growing" young men and women who are ready to be effective citizens in the world.

To round out the aesthetic parts of school life, we have a fully funded afterschool program, sponsored by The Educational Alliance, that runs from 3pm to 5:50pm each day. Students are treated to teaching-artists who facilitate classes in the finer arts - drama, music, painting, jewelry making, improv comedy, web design, student council... etc.

Sports teams and clubs include soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, track.

We are more than the sum of our parts! A well-rounded school life allows students to consider all possibilities in their later lives.