Guiding Principles of NSHS

1. Integrated Day - The Integrated Day Curriculum, known in the United States as Project Based Learning, is based on the British Open Classroom system of education.  The philosophy behind this system is that students learn best when working on subjects that are truly meaningful to them.  Our curriculum integrates traditional academic disciplines with in-depth projects.  The nature of these projects allows students to delve deeply into the subject matter.

2. Students taking responsibility for their own learning.  NSHS students develop the skills to identify problems and develop solutions.  Our purpose is to challenge students academically while fostering a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.

3. Education should involve active analysis of information.  At NSHS we use a method of teaching called "active learning."  This approach is advocated by educational experts as the most effective way to teach.  Passive lecturing is the least effective way to teach yet it remains the chosen method in most American high schools.

4. Community Involvement and experience as a vital part of the curriculum.  In addition to active classroom learning, our students acquire knowledge by participating in community activities (i.e. volunteering for local charities).  NSHS students must develop ties that connect them with their community.

5. Child centered education with personal attention to the interests and learning styles of each student.  No two students are exactly alike and they should not be treated as such.  NSHS enrollment is kept low so each student can receive individual attention.

6. The Flexibility to accommodate diverse interests, schedules, and learning opportunities.  Small class size allows us to focus on the individual interests of our students.  On any given day, we may have students presenting a project in the classroom, working on internships, volunteering at a local food bank, or taking a college course.  NSHS students participate in the Fast Start program at Brookdale Community College.  Through this program, our students take college courses and are able to transfer their credits to any college or university nationwide.

7. Relevant learning. Memorizing disconnected trivia is not learning.  Students at NSHS are judged on their ability to define, understand, develop, and implement workable solutions to real-life problems.

Send mail to Lee Vallone or Dale Thompson with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 New School High School
Last modified: January 19, 2002