Enjoin

Creativity 

with Critical 

Thinking

The Wellspring Model of Education was designed by Shakiel Humayun after spending over a decade in education. It integrates creativity and critical thinking in an enjoyable way for educators and children. The Wellspring Model implements its unique formula of creativity, personalized learning, technology, staff management, and parental involvement to create a different style of education. 

"It is designed in an
engaging way to challenge old ideas
and/or create new ones,
foster higher/critical thinking,
incorporate 21st-century skills,
and cater to various styles
of learning." 
"It is designed in 
an engaging way
to challenge old ideas
and/or create new ones,
foster higher/critical thinking, incorporate 21st-century skills, and cater to various styles
of learning." 
The Wellspring Model of Education is a systemic model. It is designed in an engaging way to challenge old ideas and/or create new ones, foster higher/critical thinking, incorporate 21st-century skills, and cater to various styles of learning. The Model also considers the socio-emotional well-being of its students through school-wide positive reinforcement rather than corporal punishment or public defamation, and if applicable, behavioral transformation.  
The Wellspring Model of Education attempts to understand each child’s unique attributes and interests and personalizes their education for them. It further attempts to infuse technology and entrepreneurship to foster global competitiveness. 

Learning

Experience

Wellspring implements the New York State Next Generation Standards in literacy and mathematics and the New York State content standards for core academic subjects such as social studies, science, health, the arts, and physical education. Higher order/critical thinking is integrated through thought-provoking activities and questions in each subject. The curriculum is further enriched by the use of multimedia and manipulatives to allow students to discover and develop their talents.

Each classroom is aesthetically pleasing and print rich consisting of work in progress, completed model student work that meets standards, word walls, data walls, content appropriate posters and pictures, inspirational sayings, and content area libraries. Each elementary classroom is organized to include sectioned stations for individual work or conferencing, groupings for small or large group instruction, and a content library center. Each classroom has access to technology such as laptops and an interactive whiteboard.  

"On a daily basis, students

are engaged in

differentiated learning

experiences that are

cognitively complex and

will enhance and

internalize their learning." 

On a daily basis, students are engaged in differentiated learning experiences that are cognitively complex and will enhance and internalize their learning. Teachers are constantly monitoring and assessing students’ progress toward content mastery through a variety of formative and summative assessment tools such as presentations, performances, quizzes and tests, writing assignments, performance tasks, laboratory write-ups, and other demonstrations. The data and analysis from these assessments are used to further guide and differentiate instruction.

Positive

Learning

Environment

Environment

All members of the learning community (students, staff, parents, and community) are essential to creating and maintaining a positive learning environment for students. The Wellspring Schools is committed to having each student immersed in a positive learning environment by ensuring that: 

 

  • The school environment is physically, socially, and emotionally safe for everyone.
  • Clear expectations and appropriate consequences are established.
  • Expected behaviors are be communicated, taught, and modeled continually throughout the school year.
  • Conflicts are handled with respect for the rights of all who are involved. 
  • Discipline is personalized and designed for what works best for each student.
  • There is no shaming (public or private) or belittling children.
  • The staff protects the rights of all children.
  • Corporal punishment is never used on a child.
  • Parents are informed about their child’s academic performance and behavior. 

 

How We are Different

How We are

Different

Education in Light of  the Quran

and Prophetic Traditions

The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provide us with guidance on how to live our lives as righteous and contentious Muslims. They establish the framework of morals and good character in Islam. As we develop Islamic character from childhood to adulthood, we must ensure that the actions of the students and staff are in alignment to the Quran and the Prophetic traditions in how they deal with their colleagues, teachers, and families. The Wellspring Schools utilizes the following morals and manners as an example of Islamic character. 

Education in Light of  the 
Quran

and Prophetic Traditions

Education in

Light of  the 

Quran

and Prophetic

Traditions

The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provide us with guidance on how to live our lives as righteous and contentious Muslims. They establish the framework of morals and good character in Islam. As we develop Islamic character from childhood to adulthood, we must ensure that the actions of the students and staff are in alignment to the Quran and the Prophetic traditions in how they deal with their colleagues, teachers, and families. The Wellspring Schools utilizes the following morals and manners as an example of Islamic character. 

01

Respect and Character

And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]." (14:42)

“O my slaves, I have made oppression unlawful for myself and I have made it unlawful among you, so do not oppress one another.” (Sahih Muslim)

02

Obeying Authority

"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you." (4:59)

03

Being Truthful

"He who took up arms against us is not of us and he who acted dishonestly towards us is not of us." (Sahih Muslim)

04

Protecting Your Body

"O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful." (5:90)

05

Showing Kindness

'Worship and serve God alone and make no gods beside Him; and (show) kindness to your parents, the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the neighbor who is a relative, the neighbor who is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and to those you rightfully possess; for God loves not the proud and boastful, those who are miserly and urge others to be miserly.' (Quran: 4:36-37)

06

Repelling Evil with Goodness

'Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with that which is better: then he between whom and you was hatred will become as if he were your friend and intimate.' (Quran: 41:34-35)

07

Making Reconciliation

'Truly believers are a single brethren, so make reconciliation between your brothers…(49:10)
Whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God.' (Quran: 42:40)

08

Do Not Quarrel

'Obey Allah and His messenger, and do not quarrel with one another, for you will despair and your strength will go…'(Quran: 8:46)

09

Look at Yourself Before You Judge Others
Look at Yourself Before You Judge Others
'O you who believe! When you go in the Cause of Allah, say not to anyone who greets you with peace: “You are not a believer”; seeking the perishable goods of worldly life. There is much more profit with Allah. Even as he is now, so were you yourselves before Allah conferred on you His Favors. Therefore, be cautious in discrimination. Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.' (Quran: 4:94)

10

Avoiding Negative Assumptions, Spying and Backbiting
Avoiding Negative Assumptions, Spying and Backbiting
'O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is a sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah: indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.' (Quran: 49:12)

11

Restraining Anger and Forgive
Restraining Anger and Forgive
'…Who restrain anger and pardon people, for Allah loves those who do good. (3:134)
…Overlook with a gracious forgiveness.' (15:85–end of verse)
'The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto; but if a person forgives and makes peace, his reward rests with God; He loves not those who do wrong.' 
(Quran: 42:40)

12

Considering Others’ Feelings
Considering Others’ Feelings
'O you who believe, do not enter the prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth…' (Quran: 33:53)

13

Keeping Your Promises

'True piety consists of…being true to your promises…' (2:177)
'…And be true to every promise, for verily you will be called to account for every promise which you have made. (17:34)
And do not use your oaths as a means of deceiving one another or else (your) foot will slip after having been firm, and then you will have to taste the evil from the path of God, with tremendous suffering awaiting you in the life to come. Hence do not barter away your bond with God for a trifling gain. Verily, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if you but knew it.' (Quran: 16:94-95)

14

Use the Quran and Sunnah to Handle Disagreements
Use the Quran and Sunnah to Handle Disagreements
'O Believers! Obey Allah and obey the messenger and those entrusted with authority from among you. If you disagree about anything, refer it to Allah and the messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the only right way and will be best in regard to the end.' (Quran: 4:59)

15

Trust and Reliance Only on Allah
Trust and Reliance Only on Allah
‘And He will provide him from [sources] he could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allāh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allāh has set a measure for all things.’ 
(Quran: 65:33)

16

Start with a Correct Intention
Start with a Correct Intention
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ
said: 'Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended.' 
(Al Bukhari-Muslim)

Core

Academics

Language Arts

English language arts strives to improve students’ literacy abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening and is adapted to each student's developmental level. The components of the language arts are not taught in isolation. Reading, phonics, writing, grammar, and guided reading are all intertwined and linked to one another, making each element of the literacy meaningful for all students. Additionally, Islamic literature is infused as appropriate so that students have exposure to Muslim writers and Islamic themed reading materials. 

Our curriculum resources have provisions for struggling, proficient, and advanced students, as well as scaffolds for English language learners and students needing targeted interventions. Through differentiated instruction, teachers prepare multiple pathways to accelerate students’ literacy strategies. 
____

Mathematics


Mathematics at The Wellspring Schools uses an instructional approach which is designed to:

 

  • Support students in making sense of mathematics and to ensure they are mathematical thinkers
  • Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas
  • Personalize learning to engage the range of learners in understanding mathematics
  • Focus on computational fluency 
  • Provide substantive content with connections in the areas of mathematics
  • Deliver hands-on experience 
  • Provide challenging materials derived from multiple resources

 

In the elementary grades, students utilize manipulatives as an instructional modality to uncover mathematical concepts as well as deepen their knowledge of mathematics. 

____

Science


The best way for students to appreciate the scientific enterprise is to learn important scientific and engineering concepts, develop the ability to think deeply, and to actively participate in scientific practices through their own investigations and analyses. Science at The Wellspring Schools takes an exploratory approach to learning. 


Our science curriculum is designed to advance scientific knowledge by having students observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into an understanding of the natural and designed worlds. Students then apply that understanding to solve real-world problems. Thus, the scientific enterprise is both what we know (content knowledge) and how we come to know it (science practices). 

____

Islamic, 

Islamic 

Arabic, and 

Quranic

Sciences

Islamic Studies

Islamic Studies at The Wellspring Schools is a uniquely designed curriculum that focuses on the development of student's beliefs, worship, morals, and manners. Our Islamic Studies curriculum consists of Islamic teachings through Quranic tafseer (mainly Ibn Kathir which covers aqeedah, hadith, seerah Islamic history, etiquette and manners. Students are not only taught Islamic Studies during their allotted Islamic Studies period, it is also taught in the academic subjects, morning assemblies, wudu and prayer times. 
____
Arabic Studies

The Wellspring Schools understands the importance of studying more than one language. As such, Arabic is a second language that is learned. Students become bilingual beginning in pre-kindergarten where they start to read, listen, speak, write and understand in the Arabic language. Students are taught classical Arabic (Al-Fusha الفصحىأ) / Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as it is the official language of most of the Arabic speaking Muslim world and it is the language in which the Qur’an was revealed, the language of hadith, and renowned classical and contemporary Islamic texts. 
____

Quran Studies



The Quran is taught daily for all grades. Students are assigned ayahs and surahs to memorize based on the successful memorization and recitation of previously learned surahs. They are frequently assessed orally on the surahs and the ayahs they are assigned. As students demonstrate proficiency, they are assigned new material to memorize. Quranic instruction is differentiated for each student so that students can achieve mastery of surahs at their own pace. Students who do not know how to read Arabic are given additional support for memorization through technology devices such as iPads and Quran readers. 
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Enrichment 

Courses

Art

Visual Arts (Pre K-8th Grade)
In visual art, students learn different art forms and techniques such as, painting, drawing, and working with clay. Students also learn how artists work and how the creation of artwork helps us to understand people and past cultures. Visual art is extended into the academic subjects as students may select art as a way to demonstrate content mastery of subjects. Various artwork is displayed throughout the building.

Performing Arts
A course with an emphasis on acting skills, script analysis, scene building, and character development. Students work collaboratively with teachers to create multiple performances throughout the year. They create an individualized acting methodology that works for theater and film. All Wellspring students demonstrate mastery of performing arts by participating in various performances throughout the year where they showcase their creativity and talent in nasheeds, plays and skits, and other demonstrations. 
____
Creative Computing
 
Technology at Wellspring is innovative, cutting edge, integrated into the content areas, and provides students with valuable technological skills upon graduating. Wellspring's technology resources assist students with deepening and presenting their knowledge and comprehension of content knowledge. Throughout the school year, students utilize technology to collect and record data, collaborate with students, teachers, and experts around the world, and create, publish, and present new knowledge.

"Students have the opportunity to engage in online and blended learning opportunities, as well as project-based activities, game-based learning, exploration and research, and assessment."

Students have the opportunity to engage in online and blended learning opportunities, as well as project-based activities, game-based learning, exploration and research, and assessment. Technology begins in the elementary grades where they are taught the basics of computer hardware and software. As students transition from elementary school to upper-level grades, they are exposed to word processing, desktop applications, web design, computer coding and programming, AutoCAD, robotics, and artificial intelligence.  

High school students pursue a career pathway computer programming and web design. This career pathway leads students to create computer and mobile applications which can be marketed and sold. These exciting and practical fields were selected so that students become competent in technology and business applications as well as marketing and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, this career pathway prepares students to intern at companies, after which they will be eligible to take the Microsoft certification exam in Microsoft Programming in HTML or the Java and/or Python Programming. 
____
Physical Education

Physical Education is an important component of each student’s school experience. Physical Education is designed to develop and practice skills that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life.
 
Physical wellness and psychomotor skills are developed through a variety of activities.  
 
This course covers the following activities: running, strength and flexibility, fitness testing, soccer, field hockey, tennis, football, softball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and dodgeball. 
 
The course will also introduce students to proper nutrition, weight management, principles of training and various fitness assessments.
____
Entrepreneurship

“Engaging student talents and creativity can unlock innovative solutions to problems”

As the world continues to drastically change and embrace the new normal, we believe that the entrepreneurial skills they learn at Wellspring will be a valuable asset for them in their career. The end goal is to enable them to become successful leaders with the entrepreneurial mindset in a profession of their choice and beyond.

"Entrepreneurship empowers students to identify problems and create cutting-edge and innovative solutions that can positively impact people’s lives."

Entrepreneurship empowers students to identify problems and create cutting-edge and innovative solutions that can positively impact people’s lives.

Entrepreneurship helps students gain proficiency in professionalism, public speaking, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the confidence to make an impact in their classroom and the world.

As our students' journey into higher grades, the entrepreneurial spirit is continuously cultivated. This upcoming year, successful business leaders will hold business and leadership sessions for our students.
 
Entrepreneurs drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth. To ensure the next generation of leaders and job creators, The Wellspring Schools supports entrepreneurship. While we don’t believe each student should become an entrepreneur, we do support students having an entrepreneurial spirit.

The entrepreneurial spirit is cultivated in our middle and high school students at Wellspring. 
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Assessments

Students Assessments


Educators, students, and families should be aware of how children are performing academically. Since the inception of schools, teachers have used assessments of various kinds to determine how well students are learning and determine if the instruction has been successful or not. Wellspring recognizes that “assessment” is an ongoing process, which evaluates the on-going needs of students and the school. 


Students and parents are informed of current progress and they are provided with feedback, next step options, and extra help opportunities to assist them in mastering content standards. Having this monitoring and support approach is best because having students receive a differentiated and varied approach to their learning will ensure not only academic success but also the achievement of the vision and mission of the school.


Although classroom assessments are given by teachers predominantly affects student's grade, independent assessments that evaluate academic progress provide valuable information on the effectiveness of the academic programs and curricular resources of the school. Our assessments are used for both formative and summative purposes, whereby: 


Formative assessments help students and teachers to identify strengths, weaknesses, and ways to improve and enhance learning. It also focuses learning and instruction to standards and key concepts and improves student and school performance.


Summative assessments provide information to judge the extent to which a student has achieved the objectives relevant to the grade level standards in a theme of work over a unit of study, marking period, semester, or year. These are usually assessments provided by the New York State Education Department. They provide information on how well our schools are performing and improving compared to other students and schools across the state as well as evaluate the quality of our programs and provide recommendations for improvement.

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New York State Assessments

The Wellspring Schools uses the New York State grades 3-8 English language arts and mathematics assessments as well as the 9-12 regents examinations for end-of-year summative assessments.
Measures of Academic Progress

The Wellspring Schools implements the Measures of Academic Progress (MAPs) as a formative assessment system for students in grades kindergarten through high school. This is an online computer adapted assessment that measures reading comprehension, reading fluency, mathematics, and language usage. This assessment assists in making informed curricular and instructional decisions. It also provides a source of data that measures growth for each student along with intervention plans for struggling students.

New students applying for admission to The Wellspring Schools take a shortened portion of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAPs) assessment to determine their reading and mathematical proficiency in comparison to their current grade level. This assessment is conducted by computer solely. 
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College and Career-Ready Students
The Wellspring Schools prepares its students to be college and career ready and to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Creative Computing
Students are engaged in differentiated learning experiences which include basic computer skills, coding, and website design.
Entrepreneurship
Kid's Business is Our Business
We believe that the entrepreneurial skills they learn at The Wellspring Schools will be a valuable asset for them in their career. The end goal is to enable them to become successful leaders with the entrepreneurial mindset in a profession of their choice and beyond.
College and Career-Ready Students
The Wellspring Schools prepares its students to be college and career ready and to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Creative Computing
Students are engaged in differentiated learning experiences which include basic computer skills, coding, and website design.
Entrepreneurship
Kid's Business is Our Business
We believe that the entrepreneurial skills they learn at The Wellspring Schools will be a valuable asset for them in their career. The end goal is to enable them to become successful leaders with the entrepreneurial mindset in a profession of their choice and beyond.