View the Daily Schedule
MAIN LESSON BLOCKS
Main Lesson Block classes are scheduled daily (Monday through Friday) from 8:30 AM – 10:15 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 Academic Block schedule.
ARTS/SKILLS ELECTIVE BLOCKS
Art and Practical Skills Block classes are scheduled in the afternoons, Monday through Friday, and extend for 3 to 4 weeks. Art/Music Block classes include Painting, Drawing, Fiber Arts, Clay Modeling, Circus Arts, Drama, Photography, Soap-making, Carpentry, etc.
PATH CLASSES: FOREIGN LANGUAGE, MATH, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Path classes are scheduled daily (Monday through Friday), and typically run through the year, in trimester units.
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 include a guest teacher. Students are required to submit and get approval for a proposal to the student body. This proposal includes signatures from the teacher whose class would be replaced, their parents, and the school administrative group. A self-evaluation and report are also required at the end of the independent study. Independent Studies can 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.
YIHS DOES NOT USE LETTER GRADES AND DOES NOT RANK STUDENTS IN ANY WAY. Click here to view an example of a weekly or final narrative evaluation.
