What if high school wasn鈥檛 just something teenagers just had to get through on their way to better things? We talked to our soon to be graduated seniors over the past couple of weeks to get their ideas about what makes 91短视频 a place they actually want to come to for the past four years. Here鈥檚 what they had to say.

A number of seniors talked about the opportunities TNS gave them to try new things, take responsibility for projects and organizations, and make the school their own. One mentioned how she was able to step in and become a captain of our Ultimate team when it was in need of leadership, while another was thankful for the freedom to create an independent study on a topic she was interested in exploring during her junior year.

Many seniors mentioned how well they think 91短视频 has prepared them for the 鈥渞eal world鈥� they鈥檒l experience once they graduate. The experiences students have had outside the classroom – working on projects all over Atlanta, the year-long internships with local organizations they鈥檝e had this year, and the trips to Cumberland Island and the Okefenokee Swamp that focused on environmental activism, and many others – have made our seniors see themselves as young adults who can handle themselves well no matter what situations they find themselves in, and as people who are ready to make a difference in the world.

One characteristic of a TNS education was mentioned by many of our seniors: how the school encouraged them to 鈥渄iscover and explore who we are.鈥� This went hand in hand with students feeling that 91短视频 was a place were they could truly be themselves (not the way that most of us remember our high school years!).

But by far the most significant and meaningful aspect of their high school experiences for our seniors was the relationships they had with their teachers. They 鈥渕ake learning fun,鈥� so that students 鈥渓ook forward to working with them every day.鈥� Our seniors find our teachers are 鈥渟o easy to talk with, whether it鈥檚 about an academic problem or a personal issue鈥� because they 鈥済enuinely care about their students鈥� well being.鈥� Our teachers not only 鈥渨ant you to succeed鈥�; they are committed to 鈥渉elping me grow as a student and a person.鈥�

I have to say, I wasn鈥檛 surprised to hear these things from our seniors, but I was gratified. We鈥檙e very proud that for TNS students, high school is so much more than a thing they have to get through. The school that they described was the school we set out to create when we first opened our doors to 17 freshmen. It鈥檚 great to hear that we鈥檙e still succeeding in what we set out to do many years ago – creating a place where young people can excel academically, but also discover who they are and explore their passions as they prepare to make their way in the world.

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The private high school application process can be daunting for many families. While it鈥檚 not as all-consuming as the college application process, there are a similar number of moving pieces, and the eventual outcome – where your child will spend the next four years of their life – is similarly important. At 91短视频, we鈥檙e firm believers that the environment where your child will grow out of adolescence and into adulthood really does matter. But that doesn鈥檛 mean the application process needs to be stressful. In this blog post, I鈥檒l get you up to speed on the application steps, and, I hope, bring the anxiety level down.

There are formal steps in the admissions process, such as touring schools, going to open houses and info sessions, writing answers to application questions, requesting transcripts, and asking teachers to complete evaluations. Some families have checked those items off their lists by this time of year, while others are just getting started. It鈥檚 not too late to get started! Filling out the application, and requesting transcripts and teacher evaluations in an hour or two at the most (at TNS, we have a Parent application and a Student application, but the student part is even easier to do). And for families applying for financial assistance, we have a separate financial aid application that takes most families under an hour to complete.

Those elements are pretty straightforward, and they鈥檙e important, but the application step that鈥檚 most meaningful to us is the half-day student visit.

Student visits are in full swing here during January and February; one or two mornings a week we welcome a group of prospective students into our community to experience a day in the life of a TNS student. Although these visits only last a few hours, those are typically the most critical hours in what can be a months-long journey. That鈥檚 because student visits are when the vast majority of students figure out whether or not a school is going to be a good match or 鈥渇it鈥� for the student. You can often get a feel for whether a school might be a good fit before a student visit, but you get a much deeper sense of when you spend a half day embedded in a school, going from class to class, talking with a wide array of students and teachers, and spending time closely observing how students interact with teachers and with one another.

Those first hand perceptions are often based on intangible characteristics, like what an environment feels like and whether the people in a community seem interesting and inclusive. There are numerous quantifiable measures that factor into selecting a school鈥攔eputation, proximity to home, college placement data, etc.鈥攂ut if an environment doesn鈥檛 feel right to your child, it probably isn鈥檛 their place.

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At 91短视频, we employ a form of project-based learning called Community-Engaged Learning (CEL).听听

What is Community-Engaged Learning?

CEL is a method where students learn by engaging in real-world projects for an extended amount of time. During this hands-on process, students are able to deeply investigate a complex problem, solve a particular challenge, and/or critically examine their own understanding of the material. Rather than receiving the bulk of the learning material through reading and classroom lectures, students take an active role in the learning through their participation in the problem-solving process, working in the community, with community partners.听

What Community-Engaged Learning is NOT鈥�

One thing to make clear is the difference between CEL and simply completing a project. In community-engaged learning, students are taught the skills they will need to develop when working on a long-term project. They are given access to the resources required, as well as guidance and mentorship along the way. On the other hand, completing a project is a short-term activity meant to assess the level of mastery for classroom instruction. These projects are meant to evaluate skills and knowledge already learned more than develop them.听

Community-Engaged Learning and Student Outcomes

Students receive many benefits from CEL, including:

• Enhanced creativity听
• Critical thinking skills
• Collaboration with others
• Self-driven motivation
• Time and resource management
• Engagement with the world on topics they care about

But these are only a few of the benefits students can gain from CEL and other forms of project-based learning. Studies have shown that when compared to traditional teaching, project-based learning significantly improves student outcomes and academic achievement.听

Project-based learning aids students in connecting concepts across all school subjects. A study by Stanford University found that students engaged in PBL improved their scores in math, science, social studies and English language assessments. Interestingly, English as a second language (ESL) students in project-based learning classrooms scored up to 28% higher than their non PBL peers in language proficiency even though language learning wasn鈥檛 the goal of the instruction. By learning through project-based methods, students learned skills to improve in general in multiple areas.听听

The goal of education is to prepare students for the 鈥渞eal world,鈥� and the data shows that project-based learning is better suited for achieving this goal. Students who take control of the direction of their own learning are more prepared for post-graduate life, having developed more skills, deeper critical thinking, and are more highly motivated. Students of all backgrounds reap the reward of project-based learning, which is an additional benefit in an area as culturally rich and diverse as Atlanta, GA.听

If you鈥檝e been looking for a unique learning environment to prepare your student, check out 91短视频, and learn more about community-engaged learning, our spin on project-based learning that gets students doing real work in the real world.听

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When it Comes to Private School, Does Size Matter?

You鈥檝e probably heard the sayings 鈥済o big or go home鈥� and 鈥渢he bigger the better,鈥� but when it comes to education, the reverse is often true. Studies have shown that smaller schools with more intimate classroom sizes actually produce students who outperform their peers.听

Smaller classroom sizes offer the obvious benefits, including more one-on-one instruction time with teachers who are better equipped to focus a greater amount of attention on each student in their classroom. However, research in this area has found other advantages of smaller classes, including:

• Allowing a more creative and dynamic learning environment
• Requiring less classroom management and discipline, thus reducing interruptions to learning
• Giving teachers more leeway to use a variety of strategies and better accommodate different learning styles

Studies on classroom size have even found direct impacts on student outcomes, like:

• Higher scores on standardized tests
• Increased graduation rates
• Increased college attendance
• Higher salary attainment in future careers

Students who attend smaller schools also participate in more extracurricular activities, are absent fewer days each year, face less bullying, and have a generally more positive outlook towards learning. And small school faculty members are better able to identify and respond to issues and are more flexible in their responses.听

Parents looking to take advantage of these great benefits often explore the possibility of private school education for their children. Although private schools in general offer specialized learning you can鈥檛 receive in public schools, the size question is an important one to tackle when figuring out what will work best for your student.

How Do You Choose?

When choosing the best private school for your student, consider both the total enrollment of a school and the student-to-teacher ratio in the individual classrooms. While most private schools offer more tailored instruction and opportunities for specialization, smaller schools are less likely to have exclusive cliques, and are less intimidating for shy students who may struggle to speak up in class. Most importantly, they are able to foster a sense of community and belonging for students.

If you would like more information on what private schools can offer, we have a variety of resources to assist you. Click HERE to download our guide to choosing a private high school.

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If you鈥檙e a parent of one or more teenagers, you鈥檝e probably had an experience like one of these:

• The parent of one of your teenager鈥檚 friends tells you what a pleasure it was to have your teenager in their home recently – how polite they were, how much they helped out after dinner, etc.听
• You run into your teenager鈥檚 boss from their after-school job, who tells you how great your child is dealing with difficult customers, always with a smile on their face.

• At an event at your teenager鈥檚 school, one of their teachers tells you how amazing it has been to watch your teenager blossom into a leader amongst their peers, taking charge of a small group working on a class project, and heading up a new club that meets during lunch.

If this sort of thing has happened to you, you may have plastered a fake smile on your face, muttered some vague words of thanks, and thought, 鈥淎re you talking about my kid?! The one whose only communication is grunting when leaving the dinner table, shouting at me when I ask them anything, and slamming their bedroom door?鈥�

I say you鈥檝e probably had an experience like this because they鈥檙e incredibly common. Teenagers live highly emotional lives. Their moods can be intense and even scary to their parents. And one of the main jobs of teenagers is learning how to manage these intense emotions effectively.

In all of the examples above, we see an instance of a teenager who is a different person inside and outside their home. But this makes sense, right? We鈥檙e all different people at our jobs, or at a party, than we are when we鈥檙e just trying to relax at the end of the day at home. Teenagers are no different, and we shouldn鈥檛 expect them to be.

In fact, teenagers have it much harder than adults do. We鈥檝e been on this earth for decades longer than they have, and while we鈥檝e (mostly) learned how to manage our feelings effectively, they are still getting the hang of it, and it鈥檚 a messy process. Chances are, the teenager who was so polite and helpful at their friend鈥檚 house, the one who鈥檚 great with customers at their job, and the one who is a leader at school, all had to expend a lot of emotional energy to manage their frustrations, disappointments, confusion, and fear while doing those things. It鈥檚 exhausting! So when they get home after school, work, or a weekend away, and they find themselves in a safe place, they can let their guard down and express some of those emotions. Cue the grunting, shouting, and door slamming.

If, like most of us, you worry about your teenager鈥檚 bad moods, keep in mind that, in the words of psychologist Lisa Damour, 鈥淢ental health is not about feeling good. Instead, it鈥檚 about having the right feelings at the right time and being able to manage those emotions effectively.鈥� (If you鈥檙e interested in learning more about this, I can鈥檛 recommend her book 鈥淭he Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents鈥� more highly. Whenever I鈥檓 confused about teenage behavior – good, bad, or just weird – Dr. Damour’s book most likely has the explanation, and many of the ideas here come from her.)

So what鈥檚 a parent to do with a teenager whose emotions seem to run from irritated to irate when they鈥檙e at home? The thing your teenager needs most from you in those moments is for you to remain calm (no shouting back) and to show that you see them (鈥淚鈥檓 sorry you鈥檙e feeling so frustrated鈥�). By simply remaining calm and not freaking out, to let them know that you’re the steady person they can come to when their teenage world seems so turbulent.

Teenagers experience a lot of emotional discomfort every day. That’s by design, because emotional discomfort is the thing that causes teenagers to grow. To put it another way, having experiences, really feeling their emotional impact, and learning to manage those emotions help teenagers mature. This is one reason that we worry so much about young people who use alcohol and drugs heavily – those substances blunt emotional pain, and the learning and emotional growth that follow.

So the next time your teenager shouts at you, grunts in your direction, or slams the bedroom door, rest a little bit easier – it means you鈥檝e created a safe space for them to express themselves. And remember, they鈥檙e engaged in some very hard work that many of us have yet to perfect – managing their emotions effectively.

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As parents of 8th graders across the country settle in for their students鈥� last year of middle school, many are also considering what to do about high school. If you鈥檙e beginning to explore different options for your middle school student, you may be wondering about adding some private schools to your list of prospective high schools.

At 91短视频, we鈥檙e big believers in the power of small, independent high schools (another term for private schools) to provide a challenging, supportive environment for these crucial years. When students first walk through our doors as new 9th graders, they鈥檙e still children. When they receive their diplomas and head off to college, they鈥檙e adults. A lot of development happens during those four years. That鈥檚 why choosing the right high school matters.

So as you go through this process, checking out the places your student may spend their high school career, here are some reasons you might want to consider a private school.

1. Teachers are Mentors

At most public high schools, it鈥檚 very difficult for the average student to build deep, meaningful relationships with their teachers. Classes are too large, teachers teach too many classes and are overworked, and once a class is completed, students rarely see that teacher again for any sustained period of time. Independent schools are smaller, with smaller class sizes, where teachers can really get to know their students – how they learn, what they鈥檙e passionate about, what they struggle with. As parents, we realize that having experienced, trusted adults in the lives of our kids helps them mature, exposes them to different life experiences, and expands their worlds. At independent schools, teachers don鈥檛 just teach; they鈥檙e also role models and mentors to their students. They often teach students in different grades, deepening those relationships over time. Independent school teachers often become such important people in students鈥� lives that they continue to be mentors and advisors during their former students鈥� college years and beyond.

2. Students (and Parents) are Individuals

Another benefit of a small independent school is that it鈥檚 much easier for faculty and staff to see and treat students as individuals, with unique histories and needs. This benefit applies to time spent in the classroom and out, as private school schedules often include more time for independent study, tutoring, and mentorship with an advisor. Part of knowing students well is that independent school teachers and administrators will also know their student鈥檚 parents well. In both cases, teachers are much more available for a quick email, text, or conversation. If either you or your student have a question or concern, at a private school it will be answered and addressed quickly by adults who know your student and their particular needs.

3. College Counseling and Preparation

The vast majority of private high schools are college preparatory institutions, where most if not all graduating seniors go on to some form of higher education. That 鈥渃ollege culture鈥� rubs off on the students of private schools. College counseling is also much more individualized at private schools, and is focused on helping students find the colleges that will be the best fit for their particular interests, passions, and learning styles. Private school students graduate more ready for the rigor and independence of the college experience. Because private school curriculum is also typically more focused on experiential learning and problem solving, students leave with a greater sense of independence and a greater understanding of what it takes to be successful in the real world.

4. School Culture

It usually doesn鈥檛 take long after walking on the campus of any independent school to get a sense of that school鈥檚 culture. Is it formal, with students following a strict set of rules, or more casual? Are students friendly with and supportive of their peers, or do they see one another as competing for the top spots in school. At private schools, you鈥檒l see a wide variety of school cultures, and it鈥檚 important to determine what school culture will be best for your student and family.

The school culture at 91短视频 is often described by our students as a place where they can really be themselves. That kind of school culture isn鈥檛 common, and it can really only be nurtured in a small independent school where students are well known, and the faculty and staff work together to achieve the shared goal of creating a school that serves all of its students and their particular needs.

These are only a few of the ways a private school can be a great benefit for your student, but there are certainly more. Make sure to fully weigh your options and choose the best school for your needs. To help you along the way, visit our website at www.tnsatlanta.org for more resources, including this free, detailed guide to choosing a private school you can download now by clicking here.

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Do you remember teaching your child to ride a bike? How did you go about the task? Did you draft a thoughtful, yet engaging lesson plan and present it to your tiny rider via PowerPoint? Did you review movies or film demonstrating the proper pedaling technique? Perhaps the two of you spent hours pouring through the theories of the greatest minds on biking in the latest edition of a widely accepted textbook?

More likely, you went out to the driveway, helped your child onto the seat, and you gave them their first tentative push across the pavement.听

Even though we all know about classroom learning, no one had to explain to us that this wasn鈥檛 the best way to teach someone to ride a bike, because we understand that some things we learn best by doing.听

Beyond the Classroom

Learning by doing is called experiential learning. When students are able to engage in hands-on experiences, they are able to make stronger connections between intellectual theories and real-world situations.听

In order for true experiential learning to take place, we have to create the proper environment for students to physically and mentally experience the concepts they are learning about. While traditional schools are confined by the four walls of the classroom, 91短视频 considers the entire city of Atlanta its campus. Imagine the history, art, business and culture of a vibrant city as your lesson plan, taught by the leaders of their prospective industries. This is the kind of hands-on learning that makes an impact in the life and trajectory of a student.听

In addition to an engaging learning environment, students who participate in experiential learning gain a better mastery of course material, a greater appreciation of community, and a deeper understanding of themselves – their skills, passions, and values.

Another key difference between experiential and classroom learning is the implication it has on the community itself. Because students are constantly tasked with applying their new ideas to modify and improve the world around them, the student enjoys the benefit of growth, while shaping and building the community.听

Bridging the Gap

One innovative way 91短视频 connects students with their community is through our year-long social entrepreneurship incubator. In partnership with the Center for Civic Innovation, every TNS student will have attempted to start at least one business, and will have had the opportunity to become an expert in lean-startup methodology by the end of their Junior year. By developing their strengths, attending workshops, and forming connections with mentors, our students identify needs in the Greater Atlanta area, and strategize ways to execute their vision for the city and beyond. Where classroom learning prepares students to plan and pitch their ideas, TNS students go further by actively growing their enterprises in real time.听

Think back again to teaching your child how to ride a bike. Because you were out there in the driveway, the lesson was more engaging, the missteps more impactful, and the successes more immediate. Incorrect calculations taught them better than the mark of a red pen, and every setback motivated them to get back up and try again. This was the best way for them to learn–by doing–and there was no greater feeling than the wind on their face as they took their first solo ride down the neighborhood, propelled by their own two feet.听

This is the opportunity experiential learning provides. At 91短视频, we give students the support they need to take that first unsure step into a new world of their own creation, followed by another, and another.

If you鈥檙e ready to take that next step and learn more about experiential learning opportunities at 91短视频, reach out for more information today.

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