Independent Study (IS)
Do you have an interest you want to explore and the motivation to learn on your own? An independent study allows you to create your own curriculum, your own schedule, and your own final product, all with the support and advice of a teacher you choose. Over the years PA students have independently studied dance, converted a car to biodiesel, written novels, learned to play instruments, and started their own businesses. It’s easy to get started: write a proposal, find a teacher to support you, begin learning, and journal your learning process.
The key to a successful independent study is motivation; you are your own teacher and you set the goals for your learning. Mr. Guihan and your advisor will support you, but you have to take a leadership role in the process. You will also determine what your final project is going to look like and you will need to have the initiative to schedule a presentation to share your work.
Community Based Learning (CBL)
If independent study allows you to design a unique learning experience with a teacher, community based learning allows you to design a unique learning experience in the community. Here you can intern with a professional, learning what life is like in your chosen career and receiving school credit at the same time. Over the years PA students have had community based learning experiences at farms, newspaper offices, hospitals, bakeries, law firms, flower shops, day cares, and many more places.
As with independent study, community based learning requires motivation and responsibility. You are representing your school out in the community, so you need to be at work when you say you will, do your work responsibly, and remember that your dream profession might have a few less-than-fun elements. Even though community based learning is hard work it’s incredibly rewarding. You will learn so much and get incredible hands-on, “real world” experiences.
Dual Enrollment
From the summer after tenth grade through twelfth grade, every student at a Vermont public school is eligible to take two free courses at any Community College, Vermont State College, or the University of Vermont. From PA most students choose to take classes at NVU-Johnson but there are other options as well. You can do a summer program at UVM (although you do have to pay for housing and food) or you can also take online classes from any of Vermont’s other colleges. Classes at Johnson are a lot easier if you have a car and a very free schedule, but online classes can fit into most anyone’s schedule as long as you have the motivation to do the work. This is a great way to get an idea of college level academic work and it means you can finish high school with two college classes already under your belt.
If you have finished your two classes and you realize there is another class you want to take, please check in with guidance. There may be funds and resources available to help you take a third class at an extremely discounted rate. That could mean you have finished almost an entire semester of college before you graduate high school!
Green Mountain Technology and Career Center
The Tech Center is for motivated, driven students who know they have a strong interest in a technical field. GMTCC offers amazing programs in digital media, business administration, computer networking, and health care, as well as construction, automotive, small engine, HVAC, forestry, and many more fields. GMTCC students work with the highest end equipment and highly trained professionals, receiving hands-on experiences that prepare them for life after school. PA provides bus transportation to and from GMTCC every day and students who go there are still part of the PA community, able to play on sports teams and participate in extracurriculars. They can even accommodate certain classes such as drivers’ ed.
Early College
Imagine spending your last year of high school on a college campus. Twelfth graders with excellent academics and scholarly habits can apply to and attend a Vermont State College for both high school and college credit at the same time. Some students live at home and attend NVU-Johnson during the day while others live on campus at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, fully immersing themselves in college life. Tuition is covered by the state but if you choose to live on campus you need to pay for room and board.
Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative
VTVLC (Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative) works with your school to give you access to the courses you want during a time that works for you by offering the course online. All courses offered by VTVLC online are led by certified teachers knowledgeable in both their subject areas and online learning technology. These classes range from foreign languages to pre-med to physics, health, AP biology, math, and more. They are accessible from anywhere, anytime, but do require both Internet connection and motivation. Whether you learn best at 1 am or 1 pm, at school or at home, your online courses are only a click away.
Additional Opportunities
If you are looking for an opportunity to dive further into your interests or explore something new there is most likely an opportunity out there for you. From young writers’ retreats to riding along with an EMT there are numerous ways to explore your interests in already established programs. These non-traditional experiences will give you the chance to get outside of your comfort zone and make new connections. These experiences often cost money but there are funds available to help you which can be found through private organizations or community scholarships.
Do you have an interest you want to explore and the motivation to learn on your own? An independent study allows you to create your own curriculum, your own schedule, and your own final product, all with the support and advice of a teacher you choose. Over the years PA students have independently studied dance, converted a car to biodiesel, written novels, learned to play instruments, and started their own businesses. It’s easy to get started: write a proposal, find a teacher to support you, begin learning, and journal your learning process.
The key to a successful independent study is motivation; you are your own teacher and you set the goals for your learning. Mr. Guihan and your advisor will support you, but you have to take a leadership role in the process. You will also determine what your final project is going to look like and you will need to have the initiative to schedule a presentation to share your work.
Community Based Learning (CBL)
If independent study allows you to design a unique learning experience with a teacher, community based learning allows you to design a unique learning experience in the community. Here you can intern with a professional, learning what life is like in your chosen career and receiving school credit at the same time. Over the years PA students have had community based learning experiences at farms, newspaper offices, hospitals, bakeries, law firms, flower shops, day cares, and many more places.
As with independent study, community based learning requires motivation and responsibility. You are representing your school out in the community, so you need to be at work when you say you will, do your work responsibly, and remember that your dream profession might have a few less-than-fun elements. Even though community based learning is hard work it’s incredibly rewarding. You will learn so much and get incredible hands-on, “real world” experiences.
Dual Enrollment
From the summer after tenth grade through twelfth grade, every student at a Vermont public school is eligible to take two free courses at any Community College, Vermont State College, or the University of Vermont. From PA most students choose to take classes at NVU-Johnson but there are other options as well. You can do a summer program at UVM (although you do have to pay for housing and food) or you can also take online classes from any of Vermont’s other colleges. Classes at Johnson are a lot easier if you have a car and a very free schedule, but online classes can fit into most anyone’s schedule as long as you have the motivation to do the work. This is a great way to get an idea of college level academic work and it means you can finish high school with two college classes already under your belt.
If you have finished your two classes and you realize there is another class you want to take, please check in with guidance. There may be funds and resources available to help you take a third class at an extremely discounted rate. That could mean you have finished almost an entire semester of college before you graduate high school!
Green Mountain Technology and Career Center
The Tech Center is for motivated, driven students who know they have a strong interest in a technical field. GMTCC offers amazing programs in digital media, business administration, computer networking, and health care, as well as construction, automotive, small engine, HVAC, forestry, and many more fields. GMTCC students work with the highest end equipment and highly trained professionals, receiving hands-on experiences that prepare them for life after school. PA provides bus transportation to and from GMTCC every day and students who go there are still part of the PA community, able to play on sports teams and participate in extracurriculars. They can even accommodate certain classes such as drivers’ ed.
Early College
Imagine spending your last year of high school on a college campus. Twelfth graders with excellent academics and scholarly habits can apply to and attend a Vermont State College for both high school and college credit at the same time. Some students live at home and attend NVU-Johnson during the day while others live on campus at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, fully immersing themselves in college life. Tuition is covered by the state but if you choose to live on campus you need to pay for room and board.
Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative
VTVLC (Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative) works with your school to give you access to the courses you want during a time that works for you by offering the course online. All courses offered by VTVLC online are led by certified teachers knowledgeable in both their subject areas and online learning technology. These classes range from foreign languages to pre-med to physics, health, AP biology, math, and more. They are accessible from anywhere, anytime, but do require both Internet connection and motivation. Whether you learn best at 1 am or 1 pm, at school or at home, your online courses are only a click away.
Additional Opportunities
If you are looking for an opportunity to dive further into your interests or explore something new there is most likely an opportunity out there for you. From young writers’ retreats to riding along with an EMT there are numerous ways to explore your interests in already established programs. These non-traditional experiences will give you the chance to get outside of your comfort zone and make new connections. These experiences often cost money but there are funds available to help you which can be found through private organizations or community scholarships.