New City School

Multiple Intelligences as a tool for teaching and learning

Since 1988, the theory of Multiple Intelligences, conceived
by Harvard University Professor Howard Gardner, has been
used as a tool for teaching and learning at New City School.

This unique academic learning approach capitalizes on
students’ strengths and creates a deep level of understanding
that allows children to use what they’ve learned in new and
different situations.

New City School teachers create opportunities for children
to learn and express what is learned through eight different
intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, interpersonal,
intrapersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, naturalist,
and spatial.

In combination with New City School’s strong commitment
to teaching students to read, write, and calculate at the highest
levels of proficiency, the Multiple Intelligences approach
to teaching and learning produces graduates who are well
prepared for their future academic endeavors.

In a study of the use of Multiple Intelligences to educate
children, it was found that schools using Multiple
Intelligences,

"commonly had a culture of hard work,
respect, and caring; a faculty that collaborated and
learned from each other; classrooms that engaged"















An Intentional focus on emotional intelligence

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills

Emotional intelligence is learned and reinforced at New City
School through an emphasis on the “personal” intelligences.
The intrapersonal intelligence, the ability to know oneself, and
the interpersonal intelligence, the ability to work well with others,
are a constant focus – both in classroom learning and in assessment.

The first page of New City School’s progress report is focused on
the personal intelligences. Students are given feedback on specific
behaviors under the headings of: Confidence, Motivation, Problem
Solving, Responsibility, Effort and Work Habits, Appreciation
for Diversity, and Teamwork.

The personal intelligences page of the New City School progress
report has been adapted for use in evaluating second year law
students at Washington University, and for personnel evaluation
at a local Fortune 500 company.

New City School home page

New City School Viewbook (PDF)