Students are all expected to engage in a minimum amount of each type of learning opportunity, but they can ultimately complete their graduation requirements using any combination beyond that. For example, one student made sure to always be engaged in an internship at a garage because he knew that was an important outlet and networking opportunity for his future. Another student spent months at a time on outdoor wilderness treks because that was where she learned best. A third student turned her 15+ weekly hours of personal dance lessons and performances into countless wellness, arts, and even ELA credit.
MC2 has identified 4 unique ways that students can learn and demonstrate competency.
These are called our 4 types of Learning Opportunities.
Studios
Studios are the learning opportunity types that often feel most familiar to new staff and students. They are larger group learning opportunities, often designed by an MC2 staff member, and they occur during the Studio Blocks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Internships
Our internship program makes up 40% of our curriculum, with students participating in internship/career work every Tuesday and Thursday. Internships help students engage with the world as it exists, rather than leaving the “real world” as a mythical future place.
Treks
Treks are a learning opportunity in which students can earn academic credit through an off-site (outside of school) project. They can be during school hours or not. Each phase requires the completion of at least 3 treks. Treks are more intense than most field trips. They require clear and meaningful pre-trek work, and post-trek follow-up work for the project. They can be designed by students independently, for small groups, or as part of studios. They can be initiated and designed by teachers as well.
Personal Learning
The Personal Learning Opportunity category is a wide collection of diverse ideas. It’s an important category because it becomes the method by which students can use life experiences and independent activities to demonstrate and earn credit. Anything a student does independent of the scheduled offerings or timing of MC2 can be recognized as a learning opportunity. Students have used personal dance and music classes, driver’s ed lessons, part-time jobs, summer camps, participation in district and intramural sports, and many other activities as personal learning opportunities. The key is identifying which checklist items, habits, and/or Essential Knowledge these activities are naturally demonstrating.
“I firmly stand by this mission statement, as it greatly reflects how this school actually is and gave me the dose of motivation to transfer to this school. I can say with complete certainty that the education I am receiving from here is a much better fit for me than any other public school setting.”
– MC2 Student
