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Program Characteristics

​New Vista actively engages every student in rigorous learning. Our program includes: high academic and behavioral expectations for all students; personal relationships built on mutual respect with all adults in the building; an adviso​r who supports each student from enrollment through graduation; choices that allow students to shape the educational program to meet their needs and interests; active learning within all classrooms as well as varied and engaging course offerings; and significant opportunities to learn in the community. Finally, New Vista has a school culture that values individuals, community and learning with an explicit emphasis on understanding and valuing diversity.  

To actively engage every student in learning, our program includes:

  • Personal relationships, built on mutual respect, with all adults in the building.
  • An advisor who supports each student from enrollment through graduation.
  • Choices that allow students to shape the educational program to meet their needs and interests.
  • Active learning within all classrooms, as well as varied and engaging course offerings.
  • Whole-school initiatives to value diversity and create a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds.
  • A school climate that values individuals, community, and learning.

Programmatic elements:

  • Enrollment by choice
  • Small school size and class size
  • Quarter calendar and block classes
  • Weekly time for learning in the community
  • Service Week devoted to social action and environmental stewardship
  • Course offerings that respond to student and teacher interests
  • Credit for mentored learning outside of the regular school day and year
  • Off-campus learning in technical or post-secondary programs
  • Advisory groups
  • Heterogeneous and multiage class groupings
  • A full inclusion approach to special education
  • An inclusive program for English Language Learners

Unique graduation requirements carry the expectation that each student will:

  • Earn grades of A or B in the following categories: Applied Technology, Arts, Interpersonal Skills, Intrapersonal Skills, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language
  • Earn almost half of required credits in learning opportunities chosen by students
  • Complete a Culminating Project.