BCS Multiage Classrooms
BCS’s implementation of multiage classrooms is a decision made as we strive to optimize
learning and spiritual development in our students while creating classrooms where all
members belong and grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
2016-17: One 3rd/4th multiage classroom
2017-18: Two 4th/5th multiage classrooms
2018-19: Two 4th/5th multiage classrooms
2019-20: Seven multiage classrooms
● P3/P4
● 1st/2nd
● 3rd/4th
● (3) 5th/6th
● 7th/8th elective classes
2020-21: Eight multiage classrooms
● (2) 1st/2nd
● 3rd/4th
● (4) 5th/6th
● 7th/8th
2021-23: Seventeen multiage classrooms:
● (5) 1st/2nd
● (4) 3rd/4th
● (4) 5th/6th
● (4) 7th/8th
2023-24: Eighteen multiage classrooms:
● (5) 1st/2nd
● (4) 3rd/4th
● (4) 5th/6th
● (4) 7th/8th
● (1) 9th/10th
Check out these two online videos:
Bellingham Christian School’s Multiage Classrooms: Parent Perspective
Bellingham Christian School: Multiage Classrooms
Multiage: True or False?
Multiage classrooms are the same as a split class or combined class. FALSE
In a multiage setting, children have a broader social experience with increased opportunities to lead and to follow, to collaborate and to make stable peer relationships. TRUE
Teachers in multiage classrooms instruct each grade level separately, meaning kids get half the attention they would typically get in a traditional classroom. FALSE
There are many benefits of students having a teacher for two years,bincluding the likelihood of a stronger student-teacher-parent relationship. TRUE
Multiage classrooms bring two grade levels with lower-performing students in the upper-grade level and higher-performing students in the lower-grade level. FALSE
Multiage classrooms allow for flexibility in the grouping of children according to need, ability, or interest; not just by age. All students are taught the same units but at their own level. The teacher facilitates student learning according to developmental stages rather than chronological ages. TRUE
Multiage classrooms aim to take advantage of the diversity of students in one classroom. TRUE
An effective learning community needs to be made up of kids who are the same age. All students develop at the same pace in the same way. FALSE
A side-benefit of multiage classrooms is that it helps us meet the needs as numbers change within grade level year to year. TRUE
A multiage classroom is set up to acknowledge that where you are is an okay place to be, but not an okay place to stay. TRUE
Children who are in the upper grade of a multiage classroom will not be challenged. FALSE
In a multiage classroom, only about half of the class will be new each year which leads to returning kids being leaders and showing the new students
classroom procedures. Within a week, a multiage class is operating in a way that would typically take a month for regular classes to do. TRUE
When teachers have students for 2 years, they are able to get a running start during year 2 which would typically be a “get-to-know you” time in a regular classroom. TRUE
Multiage classrooms at the 7th/8th grade levels allow more elective options for our students. TRUE
By going to a multiage format at BCS, we have grade level teams that allow for more collaboration amongst teachers which tends to lead to higher quality instruction and less teacher burn-out. TRUE
Our middle school social studies and science curriculums have been organized into Year A and Year B subjects for quite some time, this lends itself quite well to multiage education. TRUE
In our many years of using multiage education at BCS, we have found that students are excelling academically, spiritually and socially. We are excited to move towards a school-wide multiage model. TRUE
Our families love our multiage classrooms!
“We love how much Kaelyn enjoys being in a multi-age classroom. She has always
excelled academically, and we feel that multi-age has given her the tools to excel even
more. Socially it has given her more confidence as she is interacting with older kids on
a daily basis in the classroom. My husband and I both experienced multi-aged
classrooms in elementary and loved it so we were excited for Kaelyn to have the same
experience. Kaelyn has had both types of classroom settings at BCS and I see the
multi-age just like the rest: an amazing, nurturing and loving place to learn!”
-Rebecca Fox
“It has been wonderful from a parent perspective. The ability to get to know more
students outside of his grade helped widen his social opportunities and stretched him
socially. Having the same teacher two years in a row has allowed the teacher to really
learn how to best teach and motivate Max, while also deepening the student/teacher
relationship. Because of the great experience we’ve had, we would gladly choose
multi-age classes for our younger son.”
-Chantel Gardner
“My family and I had never experienced a multi-age classroom but were willing to give
it a try for our daughter. We are so glad we did! We have seen her thrive both
academically and socially and have loved seeing her leadership and self-management
skills blossom. She has had three years of multiage classrooms, including her last year
in the 7/8 multiage classroom. We are excited for her to finish her 8th grade year in a multiage setting.”
-Sarah Lewis
“In the multiage scenario, Will was the higher grade each time. As he already did well
academically, I was concerned he wouldn’t learn as much as being in a class of just his
grade. I think he was actually pushed and challenged more, which is something he
needs. The big focus for me with Will was and is growth of character and relationship
with God. Being in a multiage class was a huge growing season for him. He grew in
compassion for younger kids, growth in being aware of how actions affect others that
are in a different place than him, to know we are all created different and that is a very
good thing. To sum up, it really gave him an opportunity to apply biblical truths he’s
learned over the years. This is what I was most pleased with. He was well prepared
for middle school, both in academics and maturity.”
-Brooke Young
