Search Results for: blog new country school an experimental high school

High Schools: Back to One Path?

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As most know, students are being required to do more and more at an earlier age and grade level. Higher standards and skills are being required of students at earlier ages than ever before. Students are being asked to identify what they want from their future at an age as early as seventh grade. In many cases, students are asked to determine whether or not they will attend college. Students who attend college are required to take more and different high school courses than students who are not planning to attend college. However this may change for some students. It … Continue reading →

The New Craze of High School Quilting

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It seems that a new craze has taken over the interests of high school students in Pittsburgh. Thankfully this is an interest worth having! The new cool thing to do at Elizabeth Forward High School is making quilts. Rebecca Fest has begun teaching students to quilt through her quilting class. In the beginning the students were more interested in making clothing. However after a couple of students had completed quilts to show off, everyone wanted one! The quilts that these students are making are far from being the old patterns that our grandparents once made. The students create the quilts … Continue reading →

Are High Schools Challenging Enough?

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In some cases it seems that we are raising a very lazy and unmotivated society of children. Students often seem less interested in applying themselves and pushing themselves to excel and do their best. Children and parents alike are more acceptable in settling for minimum requirements. Fewer parents push their children to go above and beyond the expectations. As a whole most of society lives by the rule, “just do what you have to do to get by”. Recently, an article was written by Barry Stern Ph.D. Stern gave his thoughts on how today’s high schools are not demanding enough … Continue reading →

Multi-Level Classrooms

Schools, teachers, and classrooms can vary greatly in their set-up, routines, and environment. In the past, we have discussed experimental schools, private schools, and charter schools. All have their own theories and ideas on how to give students the best possible education. The type of classroom and success that you have in your classroom greatly depends on your personal values, ideas, and comfort level. Many teachers are stuck in the idea of the traditional classroom. The traditional classroom has one teacher and a group of children who are about the age and are in the same grade level. However some … Continue reading →

Students Walk Out Due to Roaches and Rats

Schools are buildings like any other structure created. They get water leaks and damage and wear and tear just like any other location. Unfortunately, they too get spiders, mice, and bugs (including roaches). It cannot be expected that schools stay exempt from these things just because they are a school. However, it can be expected that school administrators and official do all that they can to keep the school well kept and as free from these things as possible. This includes annual repairs and upkeep, spraying for insects, and clean conditions. Our school, like many other buildings, has been known … Continue reading →

Education Week in Review: October 20- October 26

This has been a great week in education at Families.com. Education is making the news more and more each day. This weeks topics include school sickness as well as performance pay for teacher. Sunday, October 21 More on King Middle’s Decision to Give out Birth Control King middle school decided to allow the city ran clinic located on the campus to hand out birth control to students. Some parents are against the school’s involvement. However, it seems that many are glad. Monday, October 22 Bloomberg’s Performance Pay for Teachers Plan Bloomberg has developed a plan that rewards schools as a … Continue reading →

More About New Country School

Earlier I discussed the New Country School that is an experimental high school in Henderson, Minneapolis. As you know, I discussed the different structure of the school. While the students are working freely on computers, they are completing projects. Each project must meet the state standards and requirements. If it does not, the students must complete another project to get the standards met. The students must take the same state standardized tests that all other students in the state are required to take. The only subject that is not taught in conjunction with all other subjects is math. Math is … Continue reading →

New Country School: An Experimental High School

In most cases, it is unheard of and actually thought to be an even a crazy idea. Think of it- a high school with no principal, no teachers, no bells, and no student desks. Now do you think that I am really crazy? It is happening. A new experimental school has opened in Henderson, Minneapolis. The school, New Country School, was developed by Dee Thomas and her coworkers. The idea began fifteen years ago. The main drive behind the school was to change the high school scheduling of classes and bells. Thomas felt it ridiculous to constantly be interrupted by … Continue reading →