Mixed Age Groupings

• Mixed age learning environment.

Flexible skills-based curriculum

• Diverse curriculum emphasizing breadth over depth and focusing on skills and domain knowledge.
• Focus on skills and mindset rather than content.
• Project-based experiential learning.
• Mastery learning.
• Inquiry-based learning.
• Flexible schedules.
• Entrepreneurial learning.
• Activities focused on ways of thinking.
• Imagination playgrounds.

Student-centered school

• Self-directed student learning.
• Students choose their own pathway.
• Honoring student agency and working backwards from their passions.
• Students developing musical talents.
• Special path for gifted learners.
• Deep, thoughtful, responsive studies to be developed over the course of a year.

Open to community

• Passion-based education, strong intentional connection with community.
• Field trips every week.
• Partnership with artists to promote creativity.
• One day a week devoted to excursions.
• Students spend a trimester or summer interning at a company or organization.

Formative and authentic assessment

• Culminating events instead of final exams.
• No exams.
• Portfolio based assessment and meetings with parents and collaborators.
• Teachers are collaborators.

Students learning in nature

• Learning in nature.
• Cross-disciplinary focus on environmental learning.
• Education for sustainability.

Focus on integral development of students

• Methodology allows students to connect with their feelings.
• Social emotional learning is a planned instance in the curriculum.
• The aim of the school is to make a difference in the world.
• Joyful, deep, brave.
• Development of whole self, social intelligence, creativity.
• Morning and community meetings.