Students who come to Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning trade in passive learning practices such as rows of desks and fill-in-the blank worksheets for purposeful hands-on activity guided by meaningful, project-based instruction. Instruction is organized around learning expeditions that involve students in original research to create high-quality products for audiences beyond the classroom.
For all or most of the day, students and teachers are engaged in challenging learning expeditions that explore a topic or theme in depth. Their studies call for intellectual inquiry, physical exploration, and community service. Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate excellence and produce high-quality work through multiple drafts and critiques and learn to give and receive kind, helpful and specific feedback in peer review protocols. On a given day, their exploration may take them outside the school building to do environmental research, conduct interviews in local businesses, or carry out other fieldwork assignments.
Each day provides opportunities for quiet reflection; time for students to write in their journals, gather their thoughts, and reflect on what they have learned.
Students work individually, in small groups, and as members of their “crews”. Together they learn to draw on the strengths of the whole class.
Teachers are provided extensive professional development and resources to equip them with innovative, research-based methods to enhance experiential, hands-on learning. At Promontory, teachers work closely together and use peer observation as well as learning walks to learn from one another and enrich their teaching. They also work closely with other colleagues throughout neighboring states. Teacher development and collaboration across disciplines is essential in order to offer our students the best education possible.
Families are encouraged to actively participate in their student’s educational experience at Promontory School. We believe that parent involvement is vital to a successful school and optimal student achievement. Because of this it is expected that each family will contribute thirty volunteer hours a year.
