Community-Based Learning

With the generous support of the Rowland Foundation, we will re-imagine school-based structures and forge stronger bonds with the community to facilitate greater personalized and authentic learning opportunities for our students. This fellowship will help us to accomplish two tasks: 1) to examine and enhance WUHSMS’s connections to our community, including our alumni, with the objective of developing a Community Learning Network and 2) to fully develop structures and processes that will enable students to engage in real world, community-based learning experiences. This work will meet the challenges and realize the true promise of Flexible Pathways and the Education Quality Standards, linking personalized learning, proficiency-based learning and graduation requirements.

The greater Woodstock area possesses a spirit of valuing community and collaboration, of which WUHSMS has engaged in a variety of experiences throughout the years. Currently there is enormous potential for students to be supported in their outside-of-school learning and our hope is to pull together the work that has been done in a coherent and accessible way. In the Woodstock Community Learning Network, we seek to strengthen and enhance this vibrant network and partnerships between WUHSMS, local organizations, businesses, and individuals. We will develop memoranda of understanding among partners and clear expectations for providing students with rich experiences, allowing them to meet proficiencies and contribute to our community in significant ways. The list of potential partners is growing and includes the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, Pentangle Arts Council, and ArtisTree Community Arts Center.