To achieve this, the curriculum must be student-centered and requires that students be active learners and develop and express their talents and expertise. Also, the curriuculum addresses students' developmental needs by making connections between content material and life experiences, and among the content areas themselves. An educational structure, with teaming as its centerpiece, that is shaped by the curriculum's student-centered design. Teams of teachers, along with common groups of students, form clusters within the school in order to personalize the educational environment. A strong guidance component is crucial to this student-oriented cluster approach, further building on faculty collegiality and teamwork.
Staff utilize common planning time to focus their attention on the individual needs of students.
They are empowered to create interdisciplinary units, multiple teaching strategies, and alternative schedules in order to tailor the curriculum to their particular group of students. A staff who play multiple roles in fostering student growth as they impart knowledge, serve as role models, and respond empathically to each individual's needs. All staff have expertise working with young adolescents in varying ways. They enjoy and appreciate the challenge and provide direction and support as positive role models. All students belong to all staff.