Daily Schedule Change for 2016-17 School Year

We are excited to share the news that we will be moving forward with the proposed changes in the daily schedule for the 2016-17 school year, as described in the letter to families we sent out last month.  The changes in our daily schedule will enable us to support robust, rigorous project-based learning through interdisciplinary, grade-level projects while also affording opportunities for students to have more individual choice in course selection via expanded elective offerings.

We are deeply appreciative of the input and dialogue we've had over the past month as we finalized this decision; thank you to all who shared your perspectives, concerns and enthusiasm with us.  In considering the new schedule, we consulted with students, staff, parents, founders and community members to be certain that we were paying attention to all voices.  Through student focus groups, staff conversations, information nights for parents, feedback sessions during math classes and individual meetings with founders and board members, we feel confident now that our buy-in is high.  We have gained support from the staff, the School Excellence Committee and the Board of Directors and we are excited to move forward in this direction.

To learn more about how our new daily schedule will help us further develop our use of project-based learning as a way to prepare students for college and post-secondary success, please join us at the screening of Most Likely to Succeed next Monday evening, 6:00-8:30 at the Animas City Theatre.  This impactful documentary showcases students and staff from High Tech High, our model school, as they explore the power of innovative education designed for the 21st century.  Hopefully, you've already received our invitation to this event, but if not, please read all the details here.

We recognize that more questions will come up for students and families over the next few months as we prepare to implement these changes, and we will certainly provide additional information and opportunities to understand what it will all look like between now and the start of the 2016-17 school year.  Please know that you are more than welcome to reach out directly to Head of School Sean Woytek with any questions you have at any time by calling (970) 247-2474 x2308 or emailing him at sean.woytek@animashighschool.com.

Again, thank you to all who have been part of this collaborative decision-making process.  The sense of unified mission, vision and purpose we feel as a school community is inspiring and we are excited about the possibilities opening up for all our students because of the new schedule.  We appreciate your ongoing trust in our vision and experience as committed progressive educators working to create excellent educational opportunity for young adults in our community!