In the future, we combine what's worked for centuries with what works today.
First, spiritual practice – or at least the practice of meditation – has been known to have calming and clarifying effects. Students begin the day with their own choice of practice.
Secondly, we’ve learned that we have an instinctive desire to master a skill or a topic that we find valuable. So, when students reach age 14 – and prior to that they acquire a well-rounded education in different academic subjects – they start Deliberate Practice training. Through this, they not only master a specific skill – and they can switch which skill they’re working on a couple times -- but they also develop habits of self-discipline and hard-work.
Thirdly, we’ve learned that the student-centered method is most effective. Student engagement requires student interest. And most adolescents aren’t going to be intrinsically interested by a grade -- they will be interested in the subject when it relates to their lives. While mentors//facilitators – formerly known as “teachers” -- help define the "map", students are at the drivers seat of their own education. They develop independent learning contracts for self-designed projects and find mentors to monitor their progress.
Fourthly, action-weekends have become increasingly successful. While some choose to spend a weekend on their own, others join events hosed by community members for educational and entertainment purposes.
Fifth, and lastly, we’ve come to realize how prominent the connection is between relationships and learning, and, in learning from the success of co-ops and military organizations, traditional schools have required that students learn and live in the same environment.
Summers are spent traveling, or expanding upon their previous topics.
In the future, we place much more importance in the cultivation of human capital -- and we have a much more holistic and nuanced view of it.
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