High School Programs
Programs
9th Grade Success
Waskowitz offers quality experiential education to students as they transition into high school. These programs help students prepare for their educational journeys, as well as develop relationships with their classmates and teachers. The program focuses on building community within each advisory class, helping to create a supportive school climate. Programs are designed around the following:
- The district promise to know every student by name, strength and need
- Natural classroom management
- Peer mentor training opportunities
- Establishment of a positive school climate
- Developing a common mindset of excellence and ethics
One Week Leaders (OWLS)
The OWL program allows high school students the chance to spend a week at Outdoor School working with 5th/6th grade students, their teachers, and Waskowitz staff. During this week, they act as a cabin counselor, teacher's assistant, hike leader, table leader, and an overall role model. Interest in building community and environmental stewardship is a must for this leadership position. Leading games, hikes, songs, and skits help to build a sense of community and are often the most memorable experiences for the 5th/6th grade students.
This week is great fun, but it is also an intensive, professional learning experience and can be life-changing when leaders put forth energy, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, compassion, and hard work.
High school leaders must get permission from their teachers to be excused from class. Two leadership training weekends are offered during the year: one in late September and one in March. Students who complete the mandatory weekend training and their week of Outdoor School may receive credit for community service and a 0.5 general elective credit from their home high school if their school is a part of Highline Public Schools.
WELS (Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Service)
Philosophy
In the midst of a climate crisis and following a global pandemic, the Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Service (WELS) program aims to prepare its students with the tools necessary to become stewards of our Earth, to feel empowered to take action on environmental issues, and to speak out about environmental injustices. Education is power and our students will support and guide their community, especially the young students, in building scientific literacy.
WELS is different than traditional education.
Students Teach
All of our students get an opportunity to learn and practice teaching skills in a variety of situations throughout the program.
Students Lead
We believe that all our students are capable of being leaders -- with younger elementary students, with their own peers, and within their communities. We spend a great deal of time exploring what it means to be a leader as well as practical opportunities to try out new leadership skills.
Outdoor Challenge
During an outdoor adventure, nature provides real-life situations with immediate feedback that require the use of communication, self-evaluation, and creative problem-solving.
Project based Learning
Project Based Learning is a curriculum and structure designed to engage students in authentic and relevant problem-based projects. Projects are student-centered, meet rigorous academic standards, are interdisciplinary, and provide students with opportunities to build 21st century skills. Community partnerships are an essential piece of these projects to motivate change. Some of these partners include Waskowitz, Mountains to Sound Greenway, YMCA, Earth gen, Pacific Education Institute, etc.
Hands-on, Minds-on Learning
Much of our curriculum is taught experientially--learning through experience--and thereby serves most intelligence and learning styles.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum
In the real world, life is not divided into math, science, or English. We recognize this, and we use a scientific lens while incorporating multiple subjects at once in authentic learning opportunities.
Environmental Stewardship
Our community is not limited to the people around us. Our community includes the plants, animals, land, air, and water. Throughout our programs, we remain sensitive to how our decisions impact everything around us.
In This Section
Contact
Meredith von Trapp
Director
425-277-7195
Jennifer Hirayama Office Manager
425-277-7195