The Expeditionary Learning (EL) curriculum provides the foundation for truly interdisciplinary units of study for our scholars in Grades 6-8. Each day, in addition to two interdisciplinary periods of study, scholars engage in stand-alone courses in math and Spanish as well as clubs, activities, and athletics.
Academic standards and personal learning targets are assessed for each scholar throughout the year.
Topics are considered through lenses from a range of disciplines, while each expedition’s framework is grounded in the Expeditionary Learning English - Language - Arts - based curriculum.
Additionally, middle school scholars engage in math and Spanish courses independently of interdisciplinary units in order to provide purposeful and structured practice time in courses which benefit from repetition and spiraled instruction.
Expeditions are eight-week interdisciplinary instructional periods, followed by one week immersive workshop experiences. Workshops provide exposure to career paths, opportunities to engage in design thinking cycles through project based work, and specific content knowledge critical to ensuring success in life and career (e.g., financial literacy, life skills, career readiness).
Beginning in 6th grade, students are exposed to technical and very practical workshops that help them make informed decisions about their future, while providing them with a rich variety of job prospects. Furthermore, these workshops lead to summer apprenticeship opportunities and internships on campus and locally, therefore increasing graduation and employment rates specifically among traditionally underrepresented communities.
At the end of each expedition, scholars will participate in week-long workshops, which will allow them to dive deeply into a topic of interest. Workshops provide exposure to career paths, opportunities to engage in design thinking cycles through project based work, and specific content knowledge critical to ensuring success in life and career (e.g., financial literacy, life skills, career readiness).
