A self-contained classroom is one in which the students share similar academic requirements.  When a classroom is considered to be self-contained, the students remain with the same teacher for all subject areas.

In a self-contained classroom, the teacher has the freedom to be flexible and adjust the schedule as needed. The teacher may incorporate two or three subject areas into one large lesson. The teacher can create a personal relationship with the students and can carry out long-term projects and activities.

The advantage of the self-contained classroom is that the teacher gets to know each student more intimately (and vice versa) and can provide individual attention and remedial work when required, while allowing more gifted students to progress at their own pace. From the young child’s point of view, the self-contained classroom and the single, all-day teacher provide a sense of security—of having a “home” away from home with a surrogate parent.