How We Learn

Students at each level explore a “Thread of Inquiry.”

Each school year will be comprised of four 9-week quarters, or terms. Throughout the year, students at each level will explore topics around a central theme, or “Thread of Inquiry.”

All core academic subjects, as well as technology and the arts, will be integrated into this thematic exploration. Foreign languages and AP courses will be offered as online electives.

Each term begins with a weeklong “Skills Intensive,” with a different focus for each term, as listed below. Each term ends with a series of school-wide “Forums,” student-led exhibitions (presentations, displays, performances, etc.) incorporating critiques and discussions.

Year One: Prehistory & the Natural World

Summer Term

Survival Skills

CPR & First Aid
Wilderness & Hiking Safety

Fall Term

Study Skills

Learning styles
Note-taking
Active reading

Winter Term

Job Skills

Public Speaking
Mediation & Teamwork

Spring Term

Life Skills

Health & Nutrition
Stress & Time management

Year Two: World Civilization & Philosophy

STEAM Challenge

Use technology to design & model an educational environment (museum, landscape, amusement park, etc.) that reflects an era or concept from this thread

Summer Term

Survival Skills

Basic gardening
Food preservation
Sewing & mending

Fall Term

Study Skills

Use of technology
MLA Citation
Scholarly Ethics

Winter Term

Job Skills

Networking & Social Media
Design Literacy

Spring Term

Life Skills

Healthy Relationships
Animal Care

Year Three: U.S. History & American Identity

Integrated Subjects

Chemistry
Environmental Science
Civics
Algebra II

Suggested Readings

A Different Mirror (Takaki)
Lies My Teacher Told Me (Loewen)
A People’s History of the United States (Zinn)
The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck)

STEAM Challenge

Write, design, and produce a play, film, animation, or videogame  that explores an event, an individual, or a concept from this thread

Year Four: Global Culture & Current Events

Integrated Subjects

Physics or Computer Science
Statistics
Calculus

Suggested Readings

Persepolis (Satrapi)
In the Shadow of No Towers (Spiegelman)
The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Pollan)
Collapse (Diamond)
Brave New World  (Huxley)

STEAM Challenge

Design & engineer a product that addresses a specific problem in our community; then assess its effectiveness & draw conclusions from the results

ALWAYS INTEGRATED

Literacy & Numeracy Skills
Visual & Performing Arts
Technology

ALWAYS OFFERED AS ONLINE ELECTIVE OPTIONS

Foreign Languages
AP Courses

The “thread of Inquiry” for each level will be continuously examined over the course of the four terms. Students will have two long blocks of inquiry-based learning each day, a Humanities block and a STEM block, each led by a certified teacher with the assistance of an aid or intern. These blocks will integrate language arts, mathematics, sciences, and social studies into coherent modules for thematic student-centered learning. Visual and performing arts will also be integrated, in both the humanities and science blocks, as processes for exploring and expressing deep knowledge. Basic drawing, vocal, movement, and performance skills will be an essential component of the first year curriculum. Later, students will have more choice in developing specific arts-related skills and knowledge through mentors, tutors, and independent study.

Other shorter blocks throughout the day will provide opportunities for tutoring, small group collaborative sessions, wellness, and student participation in school governance. Every Friday, the day begins with a school-wide “Assembly” followed by “advisory groups” to discuss and vote on school issues. “Flex Days” on Fridays allow time for more freedom to pursue individual interests. Fridays end with a “Clubs” block and a “Local Leaders” block.

The school day will be framed by optional sessions of wellness and open studio time. Wellness options might include walks, yoga, dance, hikes, sledding or skating in the winter, field games, or indoor games like table tennis for inclement weather. Open studio time enables students to continue exploration of a particular thread of inquiry, work on unresolved STEAM challenges, get extra help from teachers, work together in groups, or pursue an independent interest.

Required school attendance time is 8am-3pm, Monday – Thursday, and 8am-11am on Fridays. This flexible 4½-day weekly schedule empowers students and staff to tailor the available time to suit their learning needs. Friday afternoons will be dedicated to flexible programming, such as online coursework, independent study, or student-selected study groups (e.g., AP or foreign language courses). Older students who are able to provide or coordinate transportation may use this time for off-site programming, such as internships or community service. Families may take advantage of this time for travel or other extended learning opportunities like museum visits. Students who leave campus will be required to document their learning process for school credit.

Weekly Schedule Of Integrated Academic Blocks

Wednesday

8:00-9:25am

Block 1 Classes

9:35-11:00am

Block 2 Classes

11-12pm

Lunch & Free Time

12-1:25pm

Block 3 Classes

1:35-3pm

Block 4 Classes

Thursday

8:00-9:25am

Block 1 Classes

9:35-11:00am

Block 2 Classes

11-12pm

Lunch & Free Time

12-1:25pm

Block 3 Classes

1:35-3pm

Block 4 Classes

Friday

8-8:55am

Advisory

9:05-11am

4 U Time

11-12pm

Lunch & Free Time

12-12:55pm

Clubs

1:05-3pm

Local Leaders

Required school attendance time is 8am-3pm, Monday – Thursday, and 8am-11am on Fridays. This flexible 4½-day weekly schedule empowers students and staff to tailor the available time to suit their learning needs.

Friday afternoons will be dedicated to flexible programming, such as online coursework, independent study, or student-selected study groups (e.g., AP or foreign language courses).