Curriculum

Mural painting

View the Daily Youth Initiative Schedule.

Art/Music Classes

Art/Music Block classes are scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays, and typically extend over a period of 5 - 6 weeks, with a total of 20 - 24 sessions per block. Art/Music Block classes include Painting, Drawing, Fiber Arts, Clay Modeling, Music, Singing, Photography, etc. View the Art Block Schedule for 2005/2006.

Path Classes

Path classes are scheduled daily (Monday through Friday), and typically run for the duration of a semester, with a total of 35 - 65 hourly sessions per semester. Path classes cover Math, English, Social Studies, Life Skills, Foreign Languages, and Physical Education.

Independent Studies

Independent Studies are classes proposed and initiated by students. Usually they replace one of a student's normal classes, and may be self-taught, taught by a fellow student, or may include a guest teacher. Students are required to submit, and get approval for, a proposal to the student body, the teacher whose class would be replaced, their parents, and the school administration group. A self-evaluation and report are also required at the end of the independent study. Independent Studies can (and often do) cover any subject, from web design to guitar playing to astrology.

Theme Week and Service Week

During these two weeks, normal classes are suspended to make way for special classes and projects. For Theme Week, the students decide on a theme, find the necessary teachers and resources for their chosen theme, and then enjoy their week. Past themes include: Radio Broadcasting, Self-defense, and most recently, Circus. During Service Week, students spend their time serving the community, sometimes in the form of work around the school, but more often doing dirty work for other organizations.

Main Lesson Blocks

Main Lesson Block classes are scheduled daily (Monday through Friday) from 8:45 AM - 10:35 AM. Main Lesson Blocks typically last 3 or 4 weeks, with a total of 30 - 40 hourly sessions per block. Main Lesson Block classes cover subjects in Science, Math, Life Skills, and the Humanities. View the Block Schedule for 2007/2008.

Below are listed a selection of Main Lesson Block course descriptions. For an accurate listing of courses currently being offered please see the archives.