We recognize there is more than one effective method for helping kids turn into strong learners.   We currently hold fast to the "playing while learning" concept of Montessori through our use of manipulatives and stations.  We also practice  an abbreviated version of a Classical education, in that our students learn the rules of language,  logic and fallacies, and the art of rhetoric, though not as in-depth.  This allows our students to also follow their interests.

In traditional learning, students are given a fixed set of course options, use the same textbook, and follow the same schedule. Student-centered learning puts the student's needs, interests, and goals at the center. This encourages students to participate more actively in discussions, design their own learning projects, explore topics that interest them, and contribute more personally to their learning experience. Teachers support modified learning approaches. 

In project-based learning, students participate in projects that require them to use diverse skills, such as researching, writing, interviewing, collaborating, and project management. The end result can take many forms, including research papers, multimedia presentations, video documentaries, musical and theatrical performances, art installations, etc. Students learn about topics and produce work that integrates multiple skills and academic subjects. 

In a traditional schooling system, high school students earn academic credit for passing a course, which ranges from A to D and tells you very little about what the student actually learned. In competency-based learning students are provided specific learning standards and milestones, each of which describes the knowledge and skills the student is expected to acquire. This approach also helps teachers more easily identify student strengths and weaknesses.