The heart of the academic program at Ideal Schools is our unique approach to learning, which aims for enduring understanding, not simply superficial recall, by having students solve complex problems or complete difficult projects instead of merely sitting and listening to direct instruction on academic content. In other words, students learn by discussing and doing instead of by simply listening. We aspire to encourage deep, sustained focus by providing relevant and challenging content, questions, and projects in a comfortable and disciplined learning environment.

Please click here for more information about our graduation requirements.

The project-based approach makes academic inquiry meaningful. So while students are working to complete projects and solve complex problems, they will be learning the academic content that will make it possible for them to do so. Academic subjects at Ideal Schools include, but are not limited to, the following:

• English Literature and Literary Analysis

• Mathematics and Statistics
  

• Experimental, Environmental and Theoretical Sciences

• Computer Science and Technology
  

• American, European, African, and Asian History
  

• Political Science and Philosophy
  

• Economics, Finance, and Fiscal Responsibility

• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making

• Public-Speaking and Persuasion

• Foreign Language
  

• Art and Architecture

• Music
  

Since this is a small and innovative high school, it is important to note that if a group of students, parents, or teachers want to add a new course to the curriculum, it is possible to do so. We want to teach about the world, and anything students, parents, and teachers consider important and interesting about the world can be added to the curriculum, so long as it meets our academic standards and is acceptable to the learning community.

In addition to the project-based approach, Ideal Schools provides learner-centered instruction, which means instruction that is designed with the students' existing skills and knowledge in mind and is designed to be meaningful to students, so that students want to be in school and want to learn. We make clear to students why the school expects them to cover certain material and to complete certain tasks, so students do not wonder at the point or relevance of academic content.

Finally, the Ideal Schools education connects students to their world, rather than operating in a vacuum that ultimately leaves students unprepared for college and professional life. To this end, we assess student achievement with a rigorous and engaging final project. Seniors complete a year-long project on a specific theme that draws together what they have learned across disciplines (e.g., technology, original scientific research, entrepreneurship, or social change). They begin work on this project in 11th grade, so the senior project is the culmination of almost everything students cover in high school.