High School will be based on projects rather than structured classes.  Projects will integrate math, science, writing, public speaking, etc.  Some projects will have stronger foci on certain content areas, but will be balanced out by other projects.  There will be individual as well as group projects.

Graduation will be based on x number of projects as well as a college entrance essay (whether or not the student plans on going to college) and a resume and career plan.  As such, students will not be grouped into “grade” levels.  They can work with other students on projects regardless of age.  In this way, older students will mentor younger students.  Students will be assigned a mentor teacher (they can always decide to change teachers) who will keep track of their projects and other academic pursuits. 

Assessment for each student will be done by a panel of teachers.  Teachers will be there to guide students and will offer lectures and run discussions as needed in their professional content areas.  There will naturally be a library and professional librarian who will work closely with teachers to provide sources for research, both for the students’ projects and for the teachers’ professional development, and will teach both students and teachers how to access and evaluate those sources.  Professional development will be encouraged and supported financially (in membership dues to professional associations, periodical literature in the library, travel to professional conferences, course tuition, etc).  Teachers are expected to be up to date in their content areas as well as the education literature, but formal courses are optional.

Please comment so I know what you're thinking!  Would you send your children to this high school?  Would you want to work there?  What would your ideal school look like?