Homework
We want students to have a life that is bigger than school, so we are strategic when assigning homework.
Some amount of homework is necessary for student progress, but busy work is not. Our goal is to assign meaningful homework that allows teachers to make the most of class time and for students to consolidate what they are learning without taking up evenings and causing undue stress.
The core homework each evening is solving math problems and reading. Math homework is designed to give students consistent opportunities for independent practice and problem-solving. Reading assignments in English are designed to build a daily habit of reading. Students will do most of their drafting and iterating in class because we believe writing is enriched by collaboration.
Our homework guideline is 10 minutes of homework per grade per night, so 5th graders are assigned an average of 50 minutes per night and 8th graders are assigned an average of 80 minutes per night.
Our homework guidelines are just that–guidelines. We realize that it will take some students more or less time to complete their homework. But by building our school with these guidelines in mind and sharing them transparently, we hope that parents, teachers, and students can all understand expectations and reach out when challenges arise.
Homework in other subjects is more limited, though it grows over time. In Practical Psychology, homework gives students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in class to their life and to reflect on how it went. In the other courses, homework will vary week to week–sometimes a reading, sometimes prep for a project, sometimes writing up a lab report. Whatever the assignment is, it is designed to help make the most of class time.
We are designing the best school for makers, doers, and creators.
Practical Liberal Arts
We’re updating the liberal arts to be both more academic and more practical, for example, adding sequences in Practical Psychology and Data Science.
Student-driven work
Students take the lead on passion projects through our badging program, exploring interests and creating work that matters.
Fieldwork
Each week students get out of the building to engage in curriculum-connected fieldwork, bringing their science & social science courses to life.