Full-time or Part-time Options
Full-Time: Our full-time program runs from 8:45 am ET to 3:45 pm ET, Monday through Friday. It includes traditional academics, Tech & Engineering, Art, Interest groups, Independent Investigations, and Explorations of new places, people, and ideas, along with social times.
Part-Time: Students can also choose to participate part-time, attending as few as one class per week while still enjoying social times with their peers.
Our program spans 33 weeks across two semesters. The unique nature of our curriculum and students allows us to cover more material than a traditional 40-week school year. With small class sizes and accelerated learning, we can offer additional opportunities that are particularly beneficial for gifted and 2e students.
Academic and special classes are held from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays dedicated to Independent Investigations and Explorations.
Weekly Schedule
Math, English Language Arts, and Foreign Language: 4 classes per week
Social Studies, Science, Tech & Engineering, and Visual Art: 2 classes per week
Interest Groups: 3 times per week
Student Government: 1 day per week (open to all students)
This structured schedule ensures a comprehensive and enriching educational experience, tailored to meet the needs and interests of our students.
Independent Investigations
At IDEAL, students have the opportunity to engage in three types of Independent Investigations:
• Portfolios
• Independent Study
• Real-World Problem Solving
Each of these projects culminates in a product or a service, and students dedicate Fridays to work on them. These projects can span from 8 weeks to a full year, offering flexibility and depth in their learning journey.
Explorations Fridays
Also on Fridays, we offer Exploration – opportunities for students to explore new ideas, places, or fields of study, often enjoying these experiences with friends, family, or classmates. Each Friday has a unique theme, encouraging students to broaden their horizons beyond their daily routines with virtual field trips. This session is a fantastic opportunity for students to cross-pollinate their experiences and learn from each other’s adventures.
Clubs and Social Time
From 3:00 to 3:45 PM Eastern time, we dedicate time for “Social Time” for any student who takes at least one class. During this hour, students play games and build relationships, fostering a sense of community and connection within our community.
The Schedule and Why It Works
Learning is a continuous cycle of absorbing information and responding to it. Given that our students are exceptional, it is essential that they are challenged with more than just simplistic work. They need to learn how to strive, struggle, persist, and gradually become autonomous learners.
To empower them as independent learners, we have meticulously examined the learning process and divided it into two critical parts: receiving new information and responding to it. This new paradigm consists of “Input” and “Output” classes, both of which are equally important.
Input Classes
In “Input” classes, students receive new information, engage in discussions, and participate in activities led by the teacher. This is where they are introduced to new content and concepts.
Output Classes
In “Output” classes, students apply the concepts they’ve learned to various activities. The results of these activities inform the teacher about each student’s readiness for the next step in their learning journey, continuing the cycle of learning.
Shepherds
To assist in this process, we have student support teachers, also known as “Shepherds,” who facilitate the assimilation of content during “Output” classes. They help clarify instructions or concepts and encourage students.
During “Output” classes, students either have their cameras focused on their work or share their screens so the shepherd can see their progress without the need for students to constantly ask for help. This method also reduces the temptation of distractions from other websites or AI tools.
Class Structure
Both types of classes run for 45 minutes, starting on the hour, followed by a break. This structure ensures that students remain focused and engaged while having adequate time to recharge.