Students' ability and achievement are as varied as the students themselves and range from gifted children to students with leraning disabilities. The school day begins with advisory groups and moves into individual projects, which are designed by the student, parent, and advisor. Once a topic of interest is determined, a student meets with a proposal team made up of staff to document the conceptual, process, and content skills the student will gain as they research and demonstrate knowledge in their chosen topic area. The student will be advised throughout the project to help stay focused and to expand the learning possibilities. Students are required to complete ten project credits per year in order to meet state requirements for graduation in the areas of communication, art, math, science, inquiry, people and cultures, decision making, resource management, and foreign language.
Projects are as varied and interesting as the students.
The school calendar does not follow the traditional nine month year. Following each block, staff have a planning week in which they document student achievement, complete required paperwork and documentation, work with specific projects and students, write grants, and address concerns raised by staff, parents, or the community. Staff also use this time to address the various site-based work team concerns related to buildings, finance, transportation, curriculum and assesment, special education, or personnel. The schedule is in place from the end of August through the first part of July.