Relevance Rigor Relationships
PBL Design Essentials
Community
Our learning communities are small by design with a 1:15 teacher-student ratio in multi-age studio spaces. Strong relationships are the cornerstone, and older students are taught how to bring up younger students into the supportive culture, while also having high regard for the gifts and contributions of the younger students. Connections outside school are a vital part of our learning communities as live source experts are vital to students’ exploration & research. Our dynamic, positive atmosphere fosters purposefulness, respect & the desire to learn.
21st Century Skills
Our innovative philosophy emphasizes that how students learn is more important than what they learn. Thus we emphasize process over product and authentic assessment through the use of a performance rubric with consistent, high expectations for continuous improvement. With guidance from the advisors, students are able to discuss the work and skills they have built in key areas: accountability, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, initiative, life skills, etc.
Student Role
Student empowerment is vital in project-based learning. Students maintain a Personal Learning Plan, a dynamic portfolio of learning & growth encompassing their individual passions, learning style, and goals. Culturally, students are empowered by voice & choice and receive personalized guidance and coaching as they advocate for their passions and learning. Students have expanded responsibility as they take the role of teacher & facilitator and actively create & sustain the positive learning culture, building skills applicable to life & career.
Advisor Role
Our cohesive staffs collaborate in autonomous, self-governing settings, sharing in school design and evaluating and improving their practice & program based on the needs of their students. Advisors are educational generalists who guide students in the development of their Personal Learning Plans and facilitate mastery of the project process. They model self-reflection & lifelong learning. They nurture supportive relationships and approach students holistically, instilling and earning students’ trust as their accountability partners. As advisors, they also have expanded responsibility because they unite their learning communities to create & sustain positive learning cultures and seek creative, authentic innovation.