Our Curriculum
We teach students how to learn. Our philosophy and our ethics infuse all subjects in a true liberal arts curriculum. Our program integrates knowledge of the outer world with the inner world of the emerging young adult. We understand the path our students are negotiating and we offer relevant knowledge and instruction.
Science
is a hands-on experience in the lab and in the field. We emphasize critical thinking, conceptual understanding, work in both English vocabulary and Latin etymology. Field trips are frequent: we climb a waterfall to find wild mushrooms, we wade in the tide pools to identify sea urchins, anemones and chitons. We watch newts mating in a stream on Mt. Tamalpais. We go into the field with black lights at night in the Mojave Desert and spot scorpions in their habitat. In the lab, we do both real and virtual dissections of sharks or frogs. Under the microscope, we look at human tissue and blood cells.
Math
from pre-algebra through algebra, geometry, and calculus, is individualized and self-paced. Students master standard textbook material as well as exploring specific areas of interest.
English
is writing-intensive and draws on world literature, current events, and personal growth issues. Each week students write essays developed through one-on-one editing conferences. We build vocabulary through studying the etymology of words across all subjects as well as reading and working in traditional textbooks. We individualize formal grammar instruction by treating issues that emerge from each student's own writing.
Spanish
is taught in a lively, oral-intensive style. Foreign language also is sprinkled liberally in conversation throughout the day.
World & United States History
includes student presentations of international news, map-making, writing, and public speaking. Frequent field trips create tangible links from our studies to the real world. We may visit a Greek Orthodox Church or an Episcopalian cathedral. During our study of medieval Japan, we are guests at a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. As we study the Renaissance, we visit the Legion of Honor Museum where each student adopts a painting and becomes an expert on it. At the Asian Art Museum, students trace the history of Chinese dynasties by learning to decipher the cultural messages contained within ancient bronze urns or Tang ceramics. During our study of U.S. History, we study how Congress works and follow the workings of politics through articles in the New York Times. Students formally debate current social and political issues, such as capital punishment and global warming.
Life Skills
are reinforced every day. All students do household maintenance, participate in Council, and pursue personal fitness. We cook communal meals, prepare overnight trip budgets, and practice etiquette by writing thank you notes. We also take every opportunity to teach skills often overlooked in today's schools, such as how to beautifully wrap a package, or tie a Windsor knot.
Field Trips and Travel
are integral to our program. We begin the year with a backpacking trip that creates a group bond and establishes respectful criteria for interaction. Frequent day trips interspersed with longer overnight trips punctuate the year. Destinations include Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada backcountry, Mt. Shasta and Monterey. We believe in travel: a great deal of growth occurs on the road.