WHAT WE DO AT THE BRONX GUILD
Projects
You will learn math, science, English and social studies through
projects. These challenging projects take a real-world approach to
learning: for science you may grow food for after school meals, for math
you may build models of housing, for history you may research
educational issues and testify before the Senate in Albany and for
English you may run a bookstore. These projects will be based in your
interests, but still meet New York State Learning Standards. They
are often interdisciplinary and will require that you use your English
skills during a math project or your math skills in history. We expect
you to use all the tools available when it is appropriate.
Internships
This is the heart of your educational experience. As soon as school
starts, we will help you find an internship (working with adults in the professional field) in areas of
interest to you. You will create a project done (ideally) at your
job site that will earn you academic credit (it's important to note that
we are NOT a vocational program). You will go to work 2 to 3 days a week (on average).
The remaining days you will come to school and work on your interesest-based projects
as well as work on your internship project.
Fieldwork
You will often go to out-of-school field sites doing work directly
connected to your academic plans and projects. Your participation is
mandatory and you will be expected to wear appropriate clothes and
follow the dress code of the site we are visiting.
Demonstrations of Learning
Several times throughout the year and during classes you will be
expected to make public presentations of your learning. Your
will make these presentations before fellow students, family members,
teachers and experts in the field.
School
Culture
We go by our first names, meet daily in small groups known as crew
and follow guiding principles for behavior rather than a lengthy set of
rules. Although this is an adjustment for many families we find that it
supports attention to learning while building strong and caring
relationships with the adults. We also focus on character and
community and value the attitude that “we are crew not passengers” as
much as we value academics.
Outdoor
Experiences
All new students are required to participate in one multi-day
wilderness experience.
Staff and students will camp (and possibly climb or canoe) for three or
more days and nights. We use this time to begin our development of a
strong community.
Other
features
As a new school developing a vision in partnership with the Big Picture Company, we cannot possibly list all
the unique characteristics of the school. We expect families and
students to embrace changes and give their full participation as we
start a new school together. |