Overview of the Educational Program

Preparing students for the 21st century

IDEAS is a place where:
• A serious learning environment engages students to be active learners.
• Project-based curriculum is the norm.
• Team teaching is encouraged.
• Technology is a tool available to all.

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A Serious Learning Environment

Geography, history, literature, fine arts, math, science, world languages, health, and other electives are key to preparing students for a successful future. But IDEAS students will go beyond the basic 4J graduation requirements and be college ready with exposure to college-level courses, internship opportunities, and valuable workplace skills.

Project-Based Learning

Instruction at IDEAS will be fundamentally different than at many high schools. The heart is project-based learning. It is a real world, hands-on approach to learning. When students understand that their work is ultimately valuable as a real problem that needs solving, or a project that will impact others, they're motivated to work hard. Just as in the adult world of work, when an assignment has REAL, LEGITIMATE value, it is more meaningful and important to do it well and to do it right.

These types of real-world projects make learning authentic and create a "need to know." The age-old question of "why do we have to do this" or just learning facts to pas sa test disappears.

In project-based learning, students work in groups to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and often interdisciplinary.

What does project-based learning look like?
Geography, history, literature, fine arts, math, science, world languages, health, and other electives are key to preparing students for a successful future. But in addition, imagine creating a classroom where students "need to know." They aren't just memorizing facts to pass a test, but instead are seeking out the information and learning it because they truly want to understand. The age-old question of "why do we have to do this" disappears.

Here are examples of successful projects we have seen:
1. Students might work with an architect to redesign a section of the school and learn advanced math concepts and engineering along the way. They want the new facility and they care about it's features, so they need to know how to calculate the stress loads, the geometric angles, the impact on the environment, and the budget.

2. Students might study single-cell organisms in order to provide data to researchers in a university lab while learning Biology. The idea that they can be providing important information that can someday save lives creates a desire to know how to do it right.

3. Students might work with government agencies to design crosswalks at local elementary schools while learning English and Civics. For their plans to succeed they need to know government processes work.

What do these projects have in common? All engage students through hands-on, serious, authentic experiences. They also allow for alternative approaches that address students' individual differences, variations in learning styles, intelligence, abilities, and disabilities.

Teachers will receive special training in turning traditional classroom subjects into challenging, real-world projects and problems.

Making the final connection
At the end of each major project, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge before a professional review board consisting of staff and community members and are judged by how much they've learned and how well they communicate it.

MAKING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ACADEMIC STUDIES AND THE REAL WORLD with on the- job work experiences is vital to completing a student’s education. Workplace mentors in our community are our extended faculty, making students better-prepared for the world beyond academia.

Team Teaching

Teamwork is a major focus of our school model. Teachers collaborate and teach courses together whenever possible so that students can see the connections between subject areas. Learning will not be limited by traditional subject boundaries. For example, students might take a "Science & Society" course in which they learn how major scientific breakthroughs have affected history. Teaching courses together helps students make cross-curricular connections.

What does team teaching and interdisciplinary mean?
It means that more than one subject is taught at the same time, with 2 teachers in the room. Examples of course pairings could be:
1. Scientific Studies (Physics & Algebra II)
2. Communications Studies (Art, Drama & English)
3. American Studies (American History & American Literature)
4. Political Studies (Economics, U.S. Government & Political Literature)
5. World Studies (World History & World Literature)

Technology as a Tool

We want students to have access to technology and understand its importance in the modern world. One of our goals is to create a technology-rich environment with a computer for every student. Online Project Libraries, advanced grading systems, and an unprecedented degree of parent access to student progress are key components. Students will graduate with a comfortable working knowledge of basic computer applications to better prepare them for the world of the 21st century. The School of IDEAS is part of a nationwide network of technology-driven schools, which have a demonstrated track record of student success. Click here to read more about the use of technology at IDEAS.

Meaningful Grading

In many traditional classrooms, very little meaningful data is presented in a student's grade or a transcript. For example, what does a “B” tell us about a student’s skills and abilities? Is the student getting A's on papers and tests, but not doing the homework? As soon as the teacher enters the “B” into the grade book, we can no longer tell why that student received that grade. At IDEAS, students will get several grades for assignments, projects and papers. Click here to read more about the grading system.

Art project

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Instead of memorizing Newton's three laws for a physics class, IDEAS students design a sport to be played on the moon.

Instead of writing a report about a philosopher in a government class, IDEAS students debate the nature of man (good or evil) and create their own political party.

Instead of taking a 200 question multiple-choice test on the Great Depression, IDEAS students design a museum exhibit explaining the impact of those dark days on society.

The Result ... IDEAS students are engaged in their school work, are challenged to learn (not just memorize) and are actually enjoying school.

TEAM TEACHING LEADS TO CROSS-CURRICULAR

connections for students. Teachers will collaborate as much as possible on curriculum development and will even team-teach in the classroom.

TECHNOLOGY IS A POWERFUL TOOL

Technology will be utilized as an extremely powerful and flexible tool. The vital component is not the technology, but the project-based learning curriculum. The technology simply amplifies the information flow and lends power to the learning.

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INVENTION, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, ARTS & SCIENCE

Bringing curriculum to life in a high school designed for the modern world.