EDIFY in 2014

The New Academies

① Core Values and Vision for School 2.0② Deconstruct Mission Statement –

programmatic components that support the Mission

③ Estimated expenses and facilities’ needs④ Overview marketing plan⑤ Alternative ideas⑥ Next steps

Contents

S.T.E.A.M.

FLOW

INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

Core Values – What Make Us Special

Charter or affordable private schools that truly provide an education fit for the 21st

century.

A school where S.T.E.A.M. is front and center

Fab Lab, Tech Center, Robotics, Multi-Media Lab, Design/Art Studio

Students experience every day, 11 hr/wk

STEAM on periphery at other schools, 1 x week, supplementing core curriculum, 1 semester class every 3 years

After-school and summer camps are only opportunities for many

Core Values – S.T.E.A.M.

A faculty that designs learning experiences for FLOW

Consistent and pervasive philosophy of educationAll staff must share this approach,

receive PD on itHit or miss depending on staff/class at

other schools

Core Values – FLOW

A personalized program that explicitly develops INDEPENDENT LEARNERS

Technology enables students to learn what they need when they are ready, rather than in lock step with other students

Multiple components guide students to excel beyond class structuresEmpty buzz words at most schools

Core Values – Independent Learners

Why S.T.E.A.M.?

In our increasingly technology-driven and technology-dependent world, young people today not only desire - but require - an understanding of the varied and imaginative ways they can use technology to create, communicate and fabricate.

Why FLOW?

Joyful, meaningful, relevant learning experiences inspire and motivate students to work hard and persevere

Why INDEPENDENT LEARNERS?

School should no longer limit itself to preparing students for more school. It should prepare students for life. And life today requires life-long learning.

Why these Core Values?

9:00 am COREStudents meet in groups of 18 for teacher-guided active-learning experience designed to optimize flow. 55 minute Literature Seminar, Writer’s Workshop, Math class or 85 minute History PBL course or Science hands-on Lab.

10:30 am Recess / Snack/ student-led clubs meet11:00 am S.T.E.A.M. PROJECTS

In classes of 12-24, mixed ages, students pursue individual and collaborative problem-solving and creation in the Fab Lab, Technology and Multi-Media Center, or Visual Arts Studio... creating apps, videogames, robots, websites, functional objects and multi-media works of art

12:30 pm lunch and recess1:15 pm EDIFY

Students progress through multi-modal lessons and activities, independently and collaboratively, guided by teachers as needed

2:15 pm S.T.E.A.M.PE 2/wk, Blended Learning For Lang 1/wk

3:40 pm Meet 1/wk with Advisor

School 2.0 – Day in the Life (9-4)

Student Schedule

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences 

Mission

that will guide them to become independent learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.   These traits include grit, curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration, excellence and play.

We will expose our students to a wide range of disciplines, experiences, and professions  

Mission

so that they can discover their own interests and talents. For those students wanting to pursue post-secondary education, our program supports their admission to an excellent college or university well-suited for the field they wish to pursue.

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences that will guide them to become independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits include grit, curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration, excellence and play.  

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences that will guide them to become independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits include grit, curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor,

collaboration, excellence and play.  

The mental state of operation in which a person in an activity is immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity.

Joyful and engaging learning experiences…problem-solvers…

collaboration…humor…play…

FLOW

FLOW…

The experience flow most often arises when, “goals were clear, and feedback with respect to meeting those goals was immediate and forthcoming…and the challenge of the activity is well matched to the individual’s skills.”

…when students perceive themselves to be “active, in control, and competent” - also described as ‘purpose’ (this is meaningful), ‘autonomy’ (I have some control over what I am doing), and ‘mastery’ (I can figure this out)…

① EDIFY: clear goals, immediate feedback, challenge matched to student’s abilities

② PROJECTS: active, meaningful, hands-on learning; students choose problems to investigate

③ FACULTY: professional development on Positive Psychology of FLOW for designing optimal learning experiences; schedule supports faculty collaboration and prep

④ STAKEHOLDERS: community, continually improving program in response to data

What leads to FLOW?

Subjects include: Math Grammar Foreign Language ‘Tech Tools for Learning’ Computer coding/programming

Structure Self-assess to pass through ‘unit’ or identify learning gaps Learn by choosing from different activities:

Read/view resource (text, video, etc.) individuallyCollaborate with a partner or group on an ‘investigation’ or

game Join a teacher-led discussion Complete an online activity or game, interact with others

virtually Demonstrate mastery by completing unit’s culminating

assignment or assessment

EDIFY courses

Fab Lab – Maker’s Space Computer-controlled tools that cut and engrave hard

materials including wood, metals, plastics Computer-controlled tools that fuse materials and

‘print’ 3D objects Robotics supplies and Circuits enable creations with

embedded electronicsMulti-Media Lab

Cameras, gaming equipment, commercial grade software

Support visual arts, design, video game development, film-making, animation

Visual Arts and Design High level instruction, individualized attention Empower students to define personal objectives and

refine artistic voices

PROJECTS courses – S.T.E.A.M.

Professional development

Hiring profile: evidence of flow, constructivism, PBL,

student-centered learning, joyful approach to learning

Scheduled Daily time for collaboration, reflection

Longer blocks for PBL (History, Science, PROJECTS)

ELA/Math teachers available for students’ EDIFY time

72 student load, 18 class size

‘Community of Learners’ flow for faculty Action research Nat’l Board Certification cohorts Critical Friends groups

Faculty

Math

Sample Faculty Schedules

English

Sample Faculty Schedules

History (or Science)

Sample Faculty Schedules

PROJECT STUDIOS (S.T.E.A.M.)

Sample Faculty Schedules

Faculty Prep Overview

BI-ANNUAL SURVEYS: analysis, follow-up, adjust program in response to data, communicate survey results and response

ADVISOR and communicative FACULTY: Advisor as first point of contact Time in Advisor schedule to communicate with

students and families Policy of staff returning parent/student messages

within 24 hours SITE-BASED BOARD of elected family, faculty and older

student representatives meet monthly with Principal ACTIVE PARENT ASSOCIATION: Monthly Town Hall Style

meetings, ongoing community-building social activities, committees to address needs, questions, concerns, interests

Stakeholders – Responsive to Data

Community of Learners ‘The Book’- listing family and friends’ skills, supports

projects and student learning processSchool-based educational events for families ‘One City One Book’ type programs

Public displays, celebrations, and demonstrationsWeekly Community MeetingsOngoing events presenting student work to

families/friends Annual 5-7 day Outward Bound-like orientation/retreat

Build trust and community Induct students into practices for independent learning

and collaborative Project-Based Learning Strengthen school’s daily protocols of Communication

and Connection (ex. Way of Council, Tribes), affirming joyful, healthy communities

Stakeholders – Inclusive Community

Student and family surveys

Applicant wait lists

Retention of teachers who receive positive

evaluations

Anecdotal evidence: Student ambassadors

share experiences with visitors

How do we know we’ve achieved flow?

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences that will guide them to become independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits include grit, curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration, excellence and play.  

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences

that will guide independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits

include grit, curiosity, integrity and

responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration, excellence and play.  

Independent learners…critical thinkers…curiosity…responsibility…

① Edify

② Project-Based Learning and

Interest Explorations

③ Explicit, tutor-less test prep

What leads to critical thinkers who are independent, curious, responsible learners?

Self-paced, mastery-based, skill learning Progress from heavy teacher/advisor support

Personalized Learning Plan goal-setting, accountability Weekly advisor meetings monitor student progress Bi-weekly as students demonstrate readiness

Student-suggested resources, student reviews ‘Technology Tools for Learning’ guides students in

identifying / evaluating learning resources Faculty / advisors monitor student contributions,

ensure students finding appropriate resources20%-70% of instructional minutes in

structured class

Edify

Templates provide structures and models History, S.T.E.A.M. lab courses Culminating projects in 8th and 11th grade

‘Interest Explorations’ transition from teacher-guided to student-led For students with S.T.E.A.M. and academic interests

Projects and Core courses serve as template/model for their own investigations

For others, Advisor provides structure Explicit guidelines for communication and

informational interviews Faculty-monitored email, phone, in-person

communications Off-campus shadowing / internships / mentors

Project-Based Learning

EDIFY multi-resource test-prep courses

Non-virtual library of test-prep materials

School provides official timelines: deadlines and suggested assignments

Peer support in preparation for standardized testsFaculty assign younger students to appropriate

groups Older students guided in forming their own study

groups

School provides test simulationsSupporting students in analyzing data, reviewing

their gaps in understanding as measured by tests

Test-Prep

CORE Courses2 hrs/week (tracked) math class2 hrs/week ELA Seminar4 hrs/week math/ELA *EDIFY time3 hrs/week Science3 hrs/week History1 hr/week Foreign Language Seminar (online

program)

Non-Core Courses2 hrs/week PE½ hr/day recess/clubs10.67 hr/week PROJECTS/EDIFY/Interest Exploration

1 hr/week Community Meeting (assembly)20 min/week Advisor meeting

Student Schedules

Sample 7th Grade Schedule

Sample 8th Grade Schedule

CORE courses3 hr/wk ELA1.5 hr/wk Math3 hr/wk EDIFY Math/ELA3 hr/wk History or Science (trade off semesters)4.5 hr/wk undefined EDIFY1.5 hr/wk Foreign Language

Non-Core courses13 hr/wk undefined: projects, interest exploration,

arts, off-campus immersion/internshipTwo 45 min/wk PE

60 min/wk small group Advisory/Grade mtng20 min/wk Advisor mtng20-60 min/wk Community mtng

High School Student Schedule

Sample 10th Grade Schedule

Sample 10th Grade Schedule

High School Teacher Schedule

THEY CAN…successfully progress through EDIFY coursesachieve class goals despite decreased structured class timedesign and implement a culminating project in 8th and 11th

grade reflects their interests involves posing a question to investigate and analyze guided/supervised by a faculty / mentor / Advisor mini-thesis experience

complete increasingly-independent ‘Interest Explorations’ identify and utilize resources beyond those chosen by teachers

to achieve learning goalspursue learning by contacting experts beyond school

communityachieve high scores on standardized tests without tutor support

How do we know our students are Independent Learners?

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences that will guide them to become independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for them to succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits include grit, curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration, excellence and play.  

The mission of our school is to provide students with joyful and engaging learning experiences that will guide independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and develop the character traits and attitudes necessary for

succeed in their future endeavors.  These traits include grit,

curiosity, integrity and responsibility, as well as valuing humor, collaboration,

excellence and play.  

Grit … Integrity … Excellence …

How our Academic Program develops Grit … Integrity … Excellence …

EDIFY and PLPAccountability, mastery-based, transparency

CURRICULUM Aligned to National StandardsEmphasizes Learning To Be, To Do, To Know

‘To be’: students “discover who they are.” ‘To do’: skills that “influence and change their

surroundings,” technical, abstract such as leadership and time management

‘To know’: enables students to “…make sense of the world they inherited… understand connections to what came before us and what might come after”

How we develop a Culture of Grit … Integrity … Excellence …FOSTER HEALTHY COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Learn from struggles and successesBehave graciously in victory as well as in defeatProjects culminate in public demonstrations of work

subject to evaluation/feedbackMaker’s Faire, Science Fair, Robotics First, STEM/arts/writing

contestsProjects with ‘real’ applications to be shared with

business/gov’t/CBWriting and Arts pieces submitted to selective publications

HERO’S JOURNEY THREADED INTO PROGRAM Individual hero’s journey to discover and develop

interests and talents, and explore how they might be put to use for the benefit of the broader world

Analyze life and traits of heroes

Current studentsRepeated participation rates in contests and

competitions, with improved resultsLow rates of disciplinary hearings regarding ethical

and behavioral violationsHigh rates of opt-ins to honor level challenges

Alumni: Admission and completion of college, competitive

high schools, pre-professional programsSurvey data attesting to career and personal

growth pursuits

How we know we’ve developed Grit … Integrity … Excellence

We will expose our students to a wide range of disciplines, experiences, and professions so that they can discover their own interests and talents. For those students wanting to pursue post-secondary education, our program supports their admission to an excellent college or university well-suited for the field they wish to pursue.  

Mission

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics in PROJECTS courses

Personalized ‘Interest Explorations’ into career fields and interdisciplinary analyses

After-School In collaboration with parents and Community-

Based Organizations, we will offer a fee-based after-school program to serve student interests not covered in the program

Music, Drama, Athletics, Entrepreneurialism, et al.

How we expose students to a wide range of disciplines, experiences, and professions to discover their own interests and talents

EstimatedSalary, benefitsProgram resources and suppliesFFEOperating expenses

UnknownFacilities lease and prep

What does this cost?

Budget: High Level Summary

Expense % of Budget

Full-Time Salaries55%

Employee Benefits

15%

FFE & Supplies

6%

Operating Services

23%

Rent $30/ft2, 100ft2/student = $3,000/student6 months’ rent carrying costs - $216,000Building improvements - $100,000

Computers for staff, students purchase own laptopsStandard FFE costs + $63,000 Fab LabAverage teacher salary $70,000Back office provider $45,000School buys all curricular texts and subsidizes field tripsSchool growth:

Year 1: 6th and 7th grade 144 studentsYear 2: 6th – 9th grade 288 studentsYear 3: 6th – 10th grade 360 students

Budget: Expense Assumptions

Budget: Net Income Scenarios

Note: Clerical, maintenance, HR, security not included. Lower costs likely with lower faculty salaries, and more novice /

fewer master teachers.

Staffing Model: Middle School

Non-Faculty Staff: Grade 6-12

Full Staff Expense

FFE, Supplies, Operating Expense

10 Classrooms2 Math, 2 ELA3 History/Foreign Language3 Science/Foreign Language

3 PROJECTS spacesFab Lab Maker SpaceMulti-Media Technology LabVisual Arts Studio

EDIFY (quiet & collaborative learning) space/s for full grade (72)

Cafeteria accommodating 108 students8 private offices for Advisor meetingsPE accommodating 35 students concurrently

Facilities: Middle School

Actual cost for Marymount’s Fab Lab (private school NYC)

Facilities: Fab Lab

Private office space with phoneAccommodate 1 student, 2-4 adults

Facilities: Middle School Advisor Offices

Since the bulk of the day involves students working individually, in pairs, or in small groups, our facility will not look like a traditional school building.

Multiple spaces for students study groups and individual quiet study

Good insulation to reduce noise distractions Natural light so feeling of openness complements

the focused concentration required of students to learn

Ideally, 1 library-like space / grade, accommodates 60-80 students

Alternatively, multiple workspace areas accommodate 30-40 students, 2 per grade, or if shared spaces 3 per every 2 grades

Facilities: EDIFY space

Facilities: EDIFY space needs

High quality brochures and website are essential to attracting applicants, but the heart of our plan is not slick marketing. For parents take a chance on the unknown - especially one with a tuition - they need to be persuaded that this is their school, and they need it. They will not apply as isolated individuals, but as peer groups. Targeted conversations with groups of parents will generate excitement about the possibility that their child, and his friends, may gain admission to this new, amazing school.

Invite-only gatherings in homes and local businesses Parent leaders and educational experts embraced as thought

partners and co-founders Presence in neighborhood, representing TNA in community Coverage by unofficial and established press/media Summer program and/or after-school program Orientation sessions with hands-on EDIFY or PROJECTS

experiences

Marketing to Prospective Families

Marketing to Prospective FamiliesMarket research revealed:

Challenging and disappointing application process for public middle schools (only B’klyn District 15 good)

Selective public schools force children to choose specific ‘major’ too young

Public Schools too large class size >30 grade size >300 (middle), >700 (high school)

Cannot afford $40,000+ per year per childCan afford $40,000+, but not enough spots for

them in private schoolsForeign Language learning not robustEither Arts or STEM, not bothNot enough gym/recess timeToo much homework

Allotted time 1.5 hrs, 4-5 days/wk72 student load per semester, 144

students in 1 year2 fewer Core teachers needed every 2 gradesSaves $155,000-$200,000 per year every 2

gradesStudents have one less Core Course to

work on each semester Reduced stress? Increased efficiency?Miss History in Science Semester or vice

versa?

Alternate Ideas: Condense 1 year of History and Science into 1 semester

Student’s school hours 9-5Open ‘Lab’ time (tutors to help) – 11.5

hr/wkPROJECTS time – 7.5 hr/wkCore Teacher Time – 12.5 hr/wk

1 hr/wk Math (12 students)4 hr/wk ELA (12 students)2.5 hr/wk History/Science/For. Lang. (24

students)Advisor Meeting – 15 min/wk

1 Advisor per 72 students

Alternate Ideas: ‘Lab Model’

Alternate Ideas: ‘Lab Model’ Student Schedule

Alternate Ideas: ‘Lab Model’ Math Teacher Schedule: 18 different 1 hr classes, 2 hr prep, 10 hr Lab

Alternate Ideas: ‘Lab Model’ ELA Teacher Schedule: 6 groups of 12 meet 4 hr/wk, 5.5 hr ‘lab’, 1 hour prep

Alternate Ideas: ‘Lab Model’ Advisor Schedule: 72 students (1 grade), 15 min/wk each

*Facility identification and prep *Marketing and Admissions COURSE DESIGN:

Build EDIFY - consultant can cobble programs together for low price product MATH EDIFY: since only 2 hr/wk and teacher given minimal prep time, must

build Edify and multiple assessments and multi-modal learning activities to support students assessing selves, trying different ways to learn, re-assessing

‘TECH TOOLS FOR LEARNING’: program relies on students becoming independent learners at young age, this course must provide the tools and guidance to enable students to identify/evaluate resources and to understand and affirm an honor code (integrity, responsibility, discipline) necessary for productive use of unstructured time

Foreign Language blended learning (LA potential partners Identify, Recruit, Hire Faculty and Staff Plan Faculty Institute Plan Orientation for Students Determine/Create Assessments for all incoming students to identify

gaps/strengths Identify Assessments to use as benchmarks Finalize curricular choices, purchases Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment

Tasks to Launch School