Academic Program

At Stanford New Schools, our goal is to provide our students with a high quality education that prepares them for futures as college students, community members, and global citizens. We offer:

Highly Qualified Teachers

Our teachers:

• Receive extensive teacher training
• Participate in ongoing professional development
• Benefit from a close partnership with the Stanford University School of Education, receiving direct, research-based support on curriculum design, implementation, and assessment

Five Habits

Students who have mastered our Habits of Mind are prepared to be lifelong learners and global citizens. Student work is assessed across the following Five Habits:

• Personal Responsibility
• Social Responsibility
• Application of Knowledge
• Critical and Creative Thought
• Communication

College Preparatory Curriculum

The Core
Our core curriculum is aligned with state standards and UC/CSU A-G requirements. The core consists of:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of Math (4 recommended)
• 3 years of Science (4 recommended)
• 2 years of Spanish
• 1 year of Art

In addition to these A-G requirements, our students must also complete:

Advisory (4 years)
See more information below.

Community service hours

Exhibitions (4 required, 1 each year)
Each year, our students demonstrate their learning through an exhibition. Exhibitions incorporate project-based learning and are designed to promote student learning in a number of ways:

• Students develop research, writing, and presentation skills
• Students become competent in the subject matter
• Students demonstrate mastery of the Five Habits of Mind

We invite members of the community to join teachers and staff in judging our student exhibitions. This strengthens our community ties while preparing our students for the transition to the wider world where they will have to prove their understanding and skills to a larger public.

 Finally, we prepare students for college by also offering:

• AP classes and Early College, which allow students to earn college credit while in high school.
• Community Service.

Exciting Course Electives

Cañada College Courses
Since 2005, our school has partnered with Cañada College to offer our Early College program. Students enroll in college courses and earn high school and college credit simultaneously. About half our students participate in the Early College program. In the time we have had the program, students have been able to take courses such as:

• Introduction to Drama
• Introduction to Health Careers
• Communicable Diseases

“It’s why my mom sent me to this school—the opportunity to take college classes. By the time I graduate I’ll have taken six college courses. The classes feel different. The teachers expect a lot. I know I’ll be better prepared for college because I’ve already taken college classes.”

Art and Music

• Web Design
• Drawing
• Painting
• Guitar Class
• Mural, Music, and Arts Project

Athletics

• Yoga
• Fitness
• Dance

Other

• Film Appreciation
• Environmental Science
• Test Prep courses for ACT and SAT

Flexible Supports for Student Learning

• Advisory Program:: This program ensures that all students have a caring adult at the school who knows them well, communicates with their parents, and monitors and guides their progress. Each teacher is assigned a small group of 10-15 students. These groups meet four days a week and students receive ten units towards graduation each year. The advisory program is important in helping our staff create a positive, trusting school climate. Many students remain in contact with their advisors long after graduation.
• Literacy Support Classes including an Academic Literacy course for 9th grade and CAHSEE support classes
• Math Support Classes including CAHSEE support classes and an Intermediate Algebra course
• English Language Development Support Classes
• One-on-one and small group assistance in our Extended Learning Program