The Waverly School (often called simply Waverly) is a nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory, progressive day school in Pasadena, California, United States for students in preschool through high school. It has three campuses, and a one-acre organic farm within walking distance. It is an independent school. Accreditation The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools, and is a member of The Independent School Alliance, POCIS and A Better Chance. Preschool Waverly's preschool program focuses on experiential learning, play, and social-emotional growth, consistent with developmentally appropriate practice. Each school year, the preschool teaching team develops a theme, within which children explore concepts of science, math, the arts, and language. As the teachers learn the children's needs and interests, they adjust their plans, allowing children to be co-constructors of the curriculum. The children learn to identify their emotions, express themselves in appropriate ways, and understand the perspectives and feelings of others. Time outdoors in unstructured but supported play is an essential part of early childhood education; Waverly preschoolers spend about half of the day outside. The preschool's emphasis on learning through play and supporting children's social-emotional development provides them with a solid foundation as they enter elementary school. Waverly's preschool program, licensed by the California Department of Social Services, is designed for children from 3 1/2 to 5; younger children usually attend the preschool for two years. It is limited to 17 students. It is held on the elementary school campus at 67 W. Bellevue Drive. Elementary school Students learn from their life experiences, in developmental stages, and through activities. Each elementary teaching team develops a social studies theme for the school year and builds an interdisciplinary curriculum around that theme, incorporating language arts, math, science, the arts, and community service. Many of the skills needed to be successful in the academic disciplines intersect; the fluid nature of a theme-driven curriculum gives teachers the flexibility to teach and reinforce these skills across the curriculum. This structure also allows students to learn through experiential lessons and multi-modal approaches that help students of all developmental levels and learning styles access the content and develop a firm foundation in critical thinking, reasoning, and analysis. Teachers take a child-centered approach, often using children's own interests and experiences as a starting point for designing and teaching lessons. Kindergarten through 6th grade classes are in self-contained classrooms