Fieldwork You will often go to out-of-school field sites doing work directly connected to your academic plans and projects. Your participation is mandatory and you will be expected to wear appropriate clothes and follow the dress code of the site we are visiting.
Outdoor Experiences All new students are required to participate in one multi-day wilderness experience. Staff and students will camp (and possible climb and sail) for three or more days and nights. We use this time to begin our development of a strong community.
Apprenticeships This is the heart of your educational experience. From the time you complete your Foundations requirements (usually after 9th grade) we will match you to apprenticeships (work with adults in the professional field) in areas of interest to you. You will go to work 2 to 3 days a week (on average). The remaining days you will come to school and work on projects and/or attend classes connected to your interests and work experience.
Demonstrations of Learning Several times throughout the year and during classes you will be expected to make public presentations of your learning. Your will make these presentations before fellow students, family members, teachers and experts in the field.
School Culture We go by our first names, meet daily in small groups known as crew and follow guiding principles for behavior rather than a lengthy set of rules. Although this is an adjustment for many families we find that it supports attention to learning while building strong and caring relationships with the adults. We also focus on character and community and value the attitude that “we are crew not passengers” as much as we value academics.
Other features As a new school developing a vision in partnership with New York City Outward Bound, we cannot possibly list all the unique characteristics of the school. We expect families and students to embrace changes and give their full participation as we start a new school together.