Great River School | Adolescent 3

Students in A3 will be in core classes together and immersed in the International Baccalaureate curriculum, whether or not they choose to be a diploma candidate.

Research indicates that students learn best when material is presented within a thematic construct so students and teachers frequently connect ideas and skills among A3 courses.

Key experiences

Fall Trip

After the first week of classes, all students take a break from the classroom to immerse themselves into the out of doors and experiential learning. 11th and 12th graders have different focuses to their last years in high school, so will have two unique weeks. While both experiences will include some academic focused work, each will challenge students in different ways. 11th grade students will visit a combination of private and public colleges in the Duluth area as well as have some challenging outdoor activities. 12th grade students will participate in a 4-day canoe adventure that challenges them to consider their life path after high school. Students will paddle the Namekagon river as they consider their future. The fall experience for both grades includes an opportunity to travel, camp, live, work and study together.

Spring Intensives

Spring Intensives revolve around the interests of students with faculty direction during the last eight days of school in June. Activities may be based in the Twin Cities, a music or art intensive with some time here and some on the road, or a backpacking or bicycle trip where students are gone the entire time. Working together as a group here or on the road will strengthen the community that has been forming all year long. Juniors are welcome to suggest topics for these experiences.

Core Curriculum

Course Offerings: Core classes, English, math, science and history, will be taken by all students. Each of the core classes are offered by grade level as they often cover a two-year curriculum.

Core Classes include IB English, Science (IB Environmental Systems of Society), History and math. Math classes offered: Algebra II, Math Studies (IB), IB Math I and IB Math II. 11th Grade History is IB History of the America’s; 12th grade history is IB 20th Century History.

Students also choose at least 2 electives. IB courses might be a one or two year course depending on their level.

High School Curriculum Guide
A3 Course Catalog 2012-13
Graduation Requirements

Weekly Schedule

Each morning for the first 15 minutes of the day. Students meet in small groups with their advisor. They have the same advisor for both years in A3. For the rest of the morning, Adolescent 3 students largely determine their own weekly schedule. Each Monday, students sign up for their required core classes offered from 8:45 to 12:25. During this time, they will either be in a class or in independent work time. If a student needs some extra help, has a group class project or wants an extended time period to work on a paper, they can arrange their schedule to have time to do it during the morning. After a 25 minute lunch, students have two electives.

Sample schedule

Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

All GRS students participate in CAS which originally comes from the International Baccalaureate Program. Consistent with Great River School’s core value of learning in the broadest sense, CAS activities allows students to nurture opportunities for self-expression including artistic and imaginative activities, be physically active and give service to their community. Whether or not students are pursuing the IB Diploma, all students are required to participate in CAS.

Each Wednesday afternoon, many A3 students leave school for a CAS activity they have set up. It might be to go paint a mural or work with an artist (creativity), work out at the local Y or gym or practice for a sports team (action) or go to their regular volunteer job in a local organization (service) – an internship or volunteer commitment. While organizing their CAS activities is ultimately the student’s job, advisors and teachers are available to help students come up with ideas and contacts. Each A3 student must complete 3 – 4 hours of CAS each week after setting goals and finishing with a reflection about their experience. There are some opportunities are available at school for doing service but students are encouraged to seek out activities for which they are passionate in the wider community.

Each student is assigned an advisor for the two years they are in A1. This teacher is the first point of contact for any issues, academic or social, students or parents/guardians might have. To identify the advisor for your student, please go to Power School and find the teacher assignment under the Advisory Class period on their Bell schedule.

Communication

Teacher emails: For individual teacher’s emails, please refer to the Faculty Directory to the right.

A3 course websites: Each of the A3 faculty has a website with assignments and information relevant to their courses on ManageBac. Students can use this website to find resources and information to keep them on top of each class. The ManageBac website requires student log in at https://grs.managebac.com/login