Mission Statement:
The mission of the curve school is to create a healthy and comfortable environment for students and staff to promote a low stress and engaging learning experience. The program is designed to offer students choices in the direction of their education within the Curve Curriculum. Teachers help students find their passion and give them guidance and critical thinking skills to pursue it. Some courses still remain mandatory so that students are not excluded from acceptance to university, but this flexible system offers students more input into their own learning. The daily schedule, school design, and number of students all differ from that of a typical school.
The philosophy and curriculum were created with accountability and autonomy in mind. Teachers have control over their methods and approaches, and are encouraged to think outside the box, but they will be held accountable and will have to show how they have met outcomes in critical areas (i.e. literacy). The information collected from teachers will help with statistical analysis to allow administrators to plan for the future and show areas of weakness and strength to entice collaboration. Teachers and students are held to a high standard of learning and are put on the path to become self directed, life-long learners.
Number of students: The atmosphere at curve school will be different from a traditional setting in many ways. The biggest adjustment, and the key to making the system operate smoothly, is the number of teachers and students. Numbers will be limited to 150 students per grade. The reason for this is based around research that shows that people have a higher level of accountability and responsibility when they are in a group of no more than 150 people. When the group size is kept to these numbers, teachers and students will start to recognize each other and build relationships in a way that is not possible when you are working with the larger numbers of a traditional high school. At curve students will not pass through the hallways unrecognized, they will be part of a learning community that challenges and pushes them to succeed. If the initial pilot program for Curve is successful then more schools will be built, but the number of 150 students per grade will not change.
Pass/Fail system: The grading system is based around a pass/fail system where student must achieve a %85 or higher to receive a P. Anything below this will receive and F and will have to be resubmitted before being considered again for a P. This grading system helps discourage competitive ranking and encourage students to take ownership of their own learning and to become lifelong critical thinkers and learners.
Selecting Courses:Much like the university system, students will have the option of choosing a stream that interests them such as, Arts, Science, Business/Law, Trades, or a combination. After three years in a program students will have met the requirements to get into one of these programs in university.
Technology:Classes and teachers will be equipped with 21st century skills and equipment to help ensure success in an ever growing IT economy. If useful and effective after initial pilot programs, Ipads will be issued at the beginning of grade 10 and included in the fees for textbooks. At Curve we encourage experimenting with digital technology to help assist teachers and students in the classroom.
Classroom setup:The smaller class and enrolment size allows for some much needed space in the classroom. Curve classes are designed to be comfortable and inviting. They are specially designed to allow for movement and different set-ups in the class. There is a private cubicle section at the back of the class for times when silence and independent work is needed. Then there is the more traditional set- up in the front of the room where there are ergonomic chairs and desks, but there is also added space by the whiteboard for movement activities. Off to the side there is a comfortable section and in all classes there is a water access, fruit and light snacks for students who may need energy. Computer access will also be available in every class with 5 high-end computers per class. This will allow students to work collaboratively manageable group sizes and will give them access to publishing, photo, video, music, web design, and other important software’s.
Discipline: Discipline will be dealt with on an individual basis. In the most severe cases of unacceptable behaviour students will be suspended or expelled. Primarily discipline will be dealt with in class or with administration. A detention/school service format where students who are sent out of class will have to do school service, or have to attend a detention class after school will also be used.
Getting rid of a social hierarchy:Giving students access to the same technology and resources will help create a level playing field for students who do not have these privileges at home. There will be no streaming of students at Curve. Those who are enrolled in a program such as French will have separate classes for that subject, but will take other classes with a mixed group. Streaming can have negative consequences for students who feel as though they are in a lower class, so each class will be made up of a diverse group of students. The decision to use uniforms is still being taken under consideration. We want the Curve school to be an inclusive and inviting space for all students.
Professional Development:
Collaboration:One of the benefits of smaller class and staff sizes is that it will allow f
Private vs. Public:
Having a sustainable school model that is profitable is not a realistic option unless you charge a substantial premium for enrolment. Putting money into the youth of tomorrow is an investment, not a way to make money. With high education inflation today, most people are not interested in paying high tuition fees. The private system can also create a class distinction, which is not the aim of the Curve school philosophy. That is why we propose the Curve school is launched as a pilot program by the department of education. Applicants to the school will initially be accepted on a first come first serve basis, for those looking for an alternate school experience, but as popularity grows and numbers increase the school system should look into a lottery system for all of those families that would like to apply creating an equal opportunity for families of all incomes. If the program is as successful as anticipated it will expand on the property and shift to a House system. The second House, House B, will be set up exactly the same as House A. The numbers of students, schedule, and staff collaboration times will be kept the same so that the system runs effectively. As the numbers of Houses start to grow on the campus to keep up with the higher demand of students, executives from the house will meet monthly to ensure that curricular outcomes are being met and to discuss any problems or new ideas.
Autonomy & Accountability
Policy on bullying, racism, & tolerance:
Curve school is not intended to be “better” then its existing public school counterparts, but it is designed to approach to schooling in a radically different way. More manageable school sizes, different classroom setups and scheduling all play a part in the new approach to student-centered learning.
Funding:
Payroll
8 Grade 10
8 Grade 11
8 Grade 12
1 Principal & 1 VP
1 Maintenance Staff
2 Janitorial staff
6 Resource teachers
1 Librarian
1 Youth Worker
2 Guidance Counselor’s/Mental Health Professionals
1 Fitness director/ nutritionist/ athletic director
Expectations for teachers
Justice and due process
Conclusion- how is it different from other schools?
How will classroom be defined? Comfort and an inviting space. How do you define it as a learning environment.
As a parent what kind of school do you want for your children.
“A better schooling experience for the people who matter most to you.”
“Any system that is resistant to change will inevitably fail. If our schools do not adapt to today’s learner then we are stuck teaching using yesterday’s methods.”
“Break away from the docile routine of school, get active, get creative, and start your lifelong journey of learning with Curve.”
Schedule:
8:00- 8:45: Breakfast program. Students & teachers convene in the cafeteria to have a nutritious breakfast provided by the school. It is meant to be a relaxing social setting where people are encouraged to chat, read the newspaper and get started. Much like the staff room in a typical school, but with students, as this is an opportunity to get to know them outside of the class.
Menu:
Bagels, Apples/Bananas, Cereal, Oatmeal, muffins, Coffee/Tea, Milk, Water, Juice on Fridays,
8:45-9 20: Morning stretch for entire school. Located in the cafeteria students and staff will participate in a light stretching exercise.
9:20-10:45: Class 1
10:45-11:00: Personal Reading, writing, drawing, individual music, knitting, brainteasers, solitaire, gaming, or other quiet personal hobbies. This is meant to be a relaxing time for students to work on something they enjoy doing alone. It is not meant to be a time for socializing or being idle and it will be supervised and facilitated accordingly.
Rationale?
11:00-12:00: Lunch. Students are allowed to go off school property for lunch or remain in the cafeteria. Lunch will be purchased and not provided. However, if there is a cooking class offered before hand they will serve a discount dish once during the week.
12:00-1:00: Class 2 elective
1:05-2:05: Class 3
2:10-3:10: Class 4
After School Programs:
-Detention, sports, art, music, video editing, community projects, gardening,
Adjectives: life-long learning, student centered, holistic, natural, inviting, calming, Technological, experiential, real world learning, community involved, collaborative, inclusive, experimental, interactive, cutting edge, connected, 21st century, manageability, accountability
