New Beginnings is an off-site, alternative program that began in 1986.  Teachers serve as "Learning Coaches" as students develop and complete individual and group projects.

 New Beginnings students move toward graduation by demonstrating responsibility and quality work in the following areas: Communications and Presentation Skills; Research and Reporting Skills; Reflection and Self-awareness; Academic Skills; and Connections between Self, Community, and World.  The ongoing development of our program draws on the works of Ted Sizer (Collation of Essential Schools)  and Howard Gardiner (Theory of Multiple Intelligences).
 
 
 

The 25 New Beginnings students work closely with their teachers on a variety of projects.  Students present their progress at "Exhibitions" at the end of each month.  Examples of projects students present are:  research reports, taped and written results of telephone or in-person interviews, hands-on projects they have created, and/or journal reflections on progress made (or not made!) on personal goals.

Guests are invited to each Exhibition, and students present in front of about six to eight other people (parents, a teacher, other students, and volunteer community members).  The Exhibition Guests fill out "Feedback Sheets" with warm and cool comments about the student's work and quality of presentation.

At the end of the school year the students tie all of their projects together in a major presentation called a "Roundtable."  The Roundtable is the student's chance to present their best work, show what they have learned, and answer questions about where they live, have been, and where they are headed next.
 
 
 

                                   Hiking Arrowhead Mountain