About
Our School
The Growing Place School is a well-established Christian early childhood center and elementary school currently educating children ages one years old through 5th grade.
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We provide child-centered, purposeful education based on the latest research and best practices in the field. Our 40,000 sq. ft. facility is a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.
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Serving our community and beyond with love and dedication since 1963, The Growing Place welcomes families from all backgrounds, faiths, ethnicities, and nationalities, as we value being part of a rich and diverse cultural community.
Our
Mission
Growing Faith, Hearts and Minds
The Growing Place School is committed to providing an inclusive, faith-based education for children ages one year through 5th grade, preparing children for entrance into diverse community middle school programs, and cultivating a community of spiritual, compassionate, creative, and thriving world citizens.
Head of School's Welcome
Dear Families,
I am pleased to welcome you, on behalf of the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, to The Growing Place School (TGPS).
Our school values community, collaboration, inclusion, and altruism. Our dedicated, enthusiastic, and nurturing educators work together to help each child grow and develop into their full potential as a child of God. You, the parents, make TGPS an authentic, community school because of your continuous support and involvement.
Communication and collaboration are important between the school and families. We encourage families to get to know each other and become involved in the many opportunities for connection that our school and church children’s programs provide throughout the year.
“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.” Luke 2:40 RSV
Blessings,
Corina Dekker
Head of School
We Believe!
We believe in nurturing the whole child to develop their individual strengths as a confident innovator, creative critical thinker, resourceful problem solver, and compassionate change maker.
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We believe happy children thrive in a safe, stimulating, innovative environment that honors the wonder of childhood and the beauty of nature.
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We believe in fostering an enthusiastic, caring community of learners dedicated to serving the world around them with respect.
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We believe educators are guides, mentors, coaches, facilitators, and co-learners who nurture children with meaningful learning experiences, based on children’s interests, that are geared towards creativity, self-expression, exploration, discovery, and investigation.
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We believe the school community is built on collaborative partnerships with parents and the church that embrace the greatest intentions for a child’s well-rounded development and success as a happy citizen.
Values
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Spirituality
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Respect
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Compassion
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Connection
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Individuality
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Knowledge
Spaces to Learn, Discover, and Explore
Faith-Based Education
We believe in providing a safe, nurturing, and spiritual environment as we encourage children to broaden experiences, ideas, feelings, and understandings connected to faith.
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promoting Christian values
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sharing opportunities to experience the power of God as children discover all God created
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serving the community through altruism
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understanding God’s love for all, including people of different beliefs, races, and cultures
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broaden experiences, ideas, feelings, and understandings connected to Christian faith through Bible stories, devotions, daily prayers
