1. A small, innovative high school with a student-focused, project-based approach to educational excellence

2. Instruction designed around solving complex problems and completing difficult projects, so that students actually know and can actually do what they will need to do as adults

• Focused effort and structure to build a genuine ability to complete difficult tasks
• Students will invest considerable time and effort to succeed, and by succeeding in difficult tasks they will build important skills and justified confidence in their knowledge and abilities
• True interdisciplinary instruction that builds towards a year-long final project in the senior year

3. Instruction in high school on matters traditionally covered only in college or professional schools

• Final project to prepare students for college and life beyond, and to assess student progress over four years
• Problem solving and responsible decision making
• Professional skills training
• Entrepreneurship
• Civic engagement and action

4. Students, Parents, and Teachers have input on the courses offered

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.

5. A learning community of students and teachers where students want to be and to learn and where great teachers want to teach

6. School and faculty open to innovation and dedicated to continuous improvement

7. Exceptional teachers who can think creatively about teaching students

8. A high school committed to helping students get into and complete a college of their choice

• Students who are clearly better prepared to excel in college
• Students complete an impressive application packet with staff assistance
• School provides outreach to colleges and universities to explain why our students outperform their peers
  

9. Clear and high expectations for students' conduct in school and off-campus

10. Parents are critical stakeholders, and are treated as such

• Regular communication from school and teachers
• Easy access to teachers by email or phone
• Open door policy for visits by parents, without prior notice to teachers required

11. Effective educational technology integrated to enrich and create student learning opportunities