HUM IV is organized to accelerate growth from the individual skill level of the student towards meeting diploma requirements at a developmentally appropriate pace. We use a trimester system with a progress report in the middle of each trimester. We also have an extended school day to increase the opportunity for students to gain credits, pass Regents exams, and demonstrate mastery within their first years of high school. This design frees time at the end of high school for a number of post-secondary opportunities, including internships, AP/College Courses, and a Senior Capstone Project.

All of our courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. All courses are challenge-based, interdisciplinary, and provide students with opportunities to engage with issues that impact humanity. In all content areas, students seek answers to important questions, reflect and revise their work, and apply what they learn to CREATE something new. In every class, students will ask questions, conduct research, produce original work, and defend their work in public presentations.

At the end of each school year in 9th grade, students complete a CREATE Presentation, which we call their “rite of passage”. In this presentation, students reflect on how work and experiences from the year demonstrate their growth and excellence in our Habits of the Graduate – Commit, Reflect, Envision, Act, Trust, and Excel. Starting in 11th grade, students begin working on a Senior Capstone Project that brings together their expertise specifically in the arts, research, writing, and communication skills to address a challenge or strengthen an asset in their community.