Children learn and mature at different rates and in different ways. Research indicates that students benefit from cross-grade interaction, specifically through classroom experiences, cooperative learning, and leadership opportunities. SFCA groups elementary classes together in the (3rd & 4th) grades. Middle school (junior high) starts at sixth grade and classes will be assigned as enrollment progresses. Each class has a maximum of 15 to 18 students, in order to provide personalized attention to each student. When a class size grows beyond the 18:1 student-teacher ratio, then a multi-grade class will be split into single grade classes, keeping the number of students in each class to 18 or less.