MC2 strives to live up to the guiding principles of its founding organization, the QED Foundation, which are:
- We are all learners.
- Learning changes lives.
- Learning needs to happen in different ways.
- Learning empowers us.
To do this, the MC2 charter notes, “progress at MC2 – and ultimately graduation from MC2 – is “competency-based”. This means students must provide evidence of application of proficiency of competencies in order to receive credit. Performance-based assessments include application, documentation, and defense of student learning and proficiency.”
We do this in a few ways:
- progress is not time-based, we have phase and essential knowledge competencies, organized in checklists, to keep track of student accomplishments
- cross-discipline habits break down 17 life-long learning skills to help students develop the skills and dispositions to demonstrate mastery
- competency statements describe learning objectives that are enduring, relevant, rigorous, and assess-able, diverse assessment of mastery allows students to demonstrate their understanding in many ways
In addition, our structures support these learning principles. For example:
- Students are heterogeneously grouped, so students of all ages, interests, and strengths work together to accomplish learning goals.
- Our year-round calendar (10 weeks “on” and 3 weeks “off”) allows for more routine and consistent learning.
- Every day students begin and end their days with their advisors, to start with goal-setting and end with daily updates and reflection.
- Community meetings, guest speakers, and regular chores help our students feel connected to, and responsible for, our shared community.
“I had so much fun in the Mathematician’s War studio today. I understood the information and formulas we were working with, so I think that made it much easier. All at once everything just clicked, and I don’t think that there is any better feeling.”
– MC2 Student
