Classes & Credits

At TNHSP, students earn 12 semester credits, as follows: 1 each in English, Mathematics, Science (biology, chemistry, physics), History, Wellness and Fitness, and a 1/2 credit each in Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Course content meets of exceeds California requirements and curriculum standards for high school students and aligns with local area schools' credit requirements.

Instead of dividing the academic year into quarters and semesters, we divide the year into six project periods of roughly 30 days each. During each project period, the curriculum is shaped around a particular driving question, and students are engaged in production of a project that explores that question. Sometimes a course is at the center of the project; sometimes it intersects. In either case, the project serves as a tool that links subject matter and skills instruction into a coherent whole for the student.

Project Based Learning is not just a different way to structure the calendar; it is central to our educational philosophy. Project Learning provides multiple opportunities for students to clarify information as they process what they have learned in class and work to include the information in their own projects. The projects themselves are real-life experiences, involving active, hands-on problem solving and culminating in presentations for audiences beyond teachers or the school community. Each project period involves field experiences, off campus explorations that provide information important to the successful completion of the project. In addition, the shorter time frame of the project period, allows students more opportunities during the year to plan their time effectively in order to successfully produce the project. Once the project period is over, students critique the process individually with a faculty advisor, looking at what worked well and what was not an effective strategy. Students then set goals for the next project and have multiple opportunities throughout the year to practice the planning skills that will be so important to them in higher education and careers.

Sample Project Period: "Moral Action"

Driving Question: When is it moral to act in defiance of authority? Students explore historical and fictional examples of moral action. They focus particularly on the play Hamlet. The project is a formal debate in which each team prepares an argument about the moral responsibility that Hamlet has for certain actions leading to the deaths of other characters. One team has chosen to debate about whether or not Hamlet is morally responsible for the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The other is debating Hamlet’s responsibility in Ophelia’s death. As students prepare the debate, they are learning the skill of structuring an argument and of using quotations to support their arguments. They are also practicing presentation skills. History class has covered the historical period in which the play is set and in which it was written. Students are performing “The Fifteen Minute Hamlet” in Drama class, and our field experience for the project period was a trip to Oregon Shakespeare Festival to see a live performance of the play.

After School Program & Classes

Students at TNHSP may choose to participate in several after school options. Many students take advantage of the 4:00-6:00 afternoon study session, staffed by TNHSP faculty. During this time, students can work individually with teachers, ask questions, and further practice study techniques taught in class. Many students with learning differences have gaps in the skill sets needed to effectively study. For example, when a teacher or parent asks them to “study” for a test, many students have a very narrow understanding of that concept. At TNHSP, faculty work with students individually during the after school program to expand students’ grasp of what studying is and how to do it effectively. Because the after school program is staffed by faculty members, students receive “tutoring” assistance that is a logical and necessary extension of classroom instruction.

American Sign Language is also taught M-TH after regular school hours for students who are ready to engage in the challenge of foreign language instruction. Learning a foreign language is a task that represents unique challenges for students with language-based learning differences, and Amiercan Sign Language is well suited to our students. In addition to giving students the opportunity to earn language credits, the after school Sign Language class provides an arena for our advanced students to test their new learning skills in a more traditional learning environment.

"My favorite Career Day speaker was Chef Matt because he was great and I think being a chef would be really cool!" -- TNHSP student