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Marblehead Elementary Flex Academy

The Power of Flex
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Benefits of a Small School Setting
OHANA MEANS FAMILY ~

OHANA MEANS FAMILY ~

 Family Means Nobody Gets Left Behind...
  
      At Marblehead Flex Academy, we proudly serve approximately 250 students across all programs. We consider ourselves small, but mighty—a school where relationships matter and every student is known, seen, and valued. Much like the lyric from the iconic 1980s theme song, "Where everybody knows your name," Marblehead embodies that sense of belonging and familiarity that can only exist in a close-knit school community. Our small size is one of our greatest strengths.
 
     Because of our small size, combination classes are an essential and effective structure that allows us to maximize resources, maintain balanced class sizes, and offer high-quality instruction across grade levels.
 

The Advantage of a Small School Environment

     Marblehead is a small school where every student is known by name and celebrated for their individual strengths. The size of our school allows for flexible groupings, targeted interventions, and a true sense of belonging. In a combination class, this personal approach is amplified. Teachers know their students well and can tailor instruction to meet the needs of each learner, regardless of grade level.

A Culture of Belonging and Flexibility

     Our combination classes reflect the values of Marblehead Flex Academy: flexibility, inclusion, and whole-child development. With smaller class sizes and close staff collaboration, we are able to create a learning environment where students feel safe to take risks, confident in their abilities, and supported in their growth.
 
 
Combination Classes

Combination Classes

     First and foremost, students in combination classes still enjoy all of the age-appropriate experiences that are essential to elementary school life. Every student participates in Music, recess, lunch, field trips, and extracurricular activities alongside their same-age peers. We make this a priority to ensure students remain socially connected, emotionally supported, and developmentally aligned with their peer group.

Educational Benefits of a Combination Class

A combination (multi-age) classroom offers several academic and social benefits:
  • Individualized Learning Pace: Students are encouraged to work at their own academic level, not confined by grade-level expectations. This allows both acceleration and additional support as needed.
  • Leadership Development: Older students in the class often take on natural leadership roles, mentoring younger students and modeling positive behaviors. This fosters responsibility and confidence.
  • Collaboration and Community: Students build strong relationships across age groups, learning to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in a diverse setting. This mirrors real-world environments more closely than single-grade classrooms.
  • Reinforced Learning: Revisiting content across years deepens understanding. Younger students preview upcoming concepts while older students reinforce previous learning through peer support and teaching.
  • Continuity and Connection: Students may have the same teacher for multiple years, which allows for stronger academic and emotional connections and greater continuity in learning.