"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Character Education
When Harborside Academy opened, the motto "Nobody eats alone at Harborside" was merely a set of words. Fast forward to today and it means "Nobody should be left alone to solve a problem." Our motto stands for the value of getting to know others well and creating a school climate that celebrates both academic growth and character development and that complements the school mission.
"Harborside Academy's mission as an Expeditionary Learning high school is to provide a rigorous academic program through learning expeditions in a small, personalized setting that impels and prepares student for full participation in the intellectual, economic and civil life of our society. Our approach draws students, teachers, and parents together in pursuit of high standards of academic achievement, character, and service to the community." Harborside Academy places a very high value on the formation of character amongst their students, as evidenced by policies and practices. Indeed, character education and fostering Habits of Success rate as equal to academic traditions and policies. In order for students to receive a passing grade within a course at Harborside Academy, they must not only pass the academic learning targets of a classroom, but also the character, known as Habits of Success, portion of the class. From these Habits of Success, |
Harborside has implemented a wide-reaching program that teaches, reinforces and takes stock in these traits. With such a high emphasis on character education Harborside has developed an integrated plan for fostering strong character development. This emphasis permeates daily activities and directs decision making processes.
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Student Character
As evidenced by our school culture, Harborside Academy places a very high value on the formation of good character. Indeed, character education and Habits of Success rate as equals to our academic traditions. In order for student to pass classes at Harborside, they must not only pass the academic learning targets of a classroom, but also meet the Habits of Success expectations of the class. This emphasis on character education is reflected in our integrated plan for character development and fostering Habits of Success, which directs much of our decision making process.
Assessing Habits of Success
Habits of Success are rooted in our approach to character education. The Habits define our leaders, encourage our youth, and direct our future. Students of Harborside Academy's founding class were posed questions regarding the importance of character and the traits that define a person who will be successful in life.
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As Harborside has grown and developed, so have these traits. Currently, Harborside Academy's Habits of Success are integrity, respect, cooperation, tenacity, leadership, and humor.
Details about the Habits of Success grading system can be found in the Model of Character Education document (link below). At left, freshmen in Ms. Henkel's crew designed and built a Little Library, then donated it, along with new and gently used children's books, to a local elementary school.
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CrewEvery student participates in an advanced advisory class called Crew. In crew class, students are paired with a staff member and a small number of classmates with the purpose of developing a strong, caring group that the student can access for advice, support and assistance throughout the school year.
Crew lessons are designed around the Habits of Success and Expeditionary Learning Core Practices. Students are encouraged to see themselves as “Crew, not Passengers.” Crew is one of the most critical elements of developing character in EL schools. |
Crew CouncilFrom the creation of the Habits of Success to input on student dress code, students at Harborside are involved in the decision making process. Each crew has elected members that participate in the Crew Council. Much like Student Council, Crew Council allows elected representatives to bring pressing issues to the group. Crew Council advises staff and student activities with this knowledge.
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CampAt the beginning of every school year, each grade level participates in an outdoor, camping experience. Students travel with their grade level to a camp where they participate in team building, expedition-driven opportunities with classmates. Students stay overnight for 1 to 2 nights and experience what it is like to be away from their home environment, while creating lasting bonds with classmates.
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Student-led Conferences and Passages
Students are self-directed learners. The responsibility of a student is not only to learn, but to be active and powerfully engaged in the process of learning. As such, students are required to complete two student-led conferences per year. At these conferences, students demonstrate to parents and teachers how they are progressing through their education at Harborside.
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There are periods of time for every student that represents transition from one stage of development to another. Harborside celebrates these transitions and provides students an opportunity to demonstrate readiness for these changes. Students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade complete the passage process. Passages are student led presentations on their own learning, progress, and readiness for a transition to a higher level of education and learning.
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Mentoring Program
One of the most powerful resiliency factors is access to an older, positive role model. Given this fact, Harborside Academy has established multiple student-and-staff-run mentoring programs that all students can access. Academic tutors help students in study hall classrooms and provide before, during or after school tutoring. Belong mentors provide a stable, friendship based relationship for students who are having social and/or adjustment issues at Harborside. Mentors and mentees meet weekly and/or participate together in social-based belonging activities. Finally, the 212 Mentor Program focuses on developing leadership within students to take on significant roles in and out of our building. All 212 Program participants engage in a multiple year training model and leadership commitment. Students travel together, participate in ropes and challenge-like activities, and build leadership through the group process.
Academic Mentors help tutor in study hall classrooms and provide before, during or after school tutoring.
Belonging Mentors provide a stable, friendship based relationship for students who are having social and/or adjustment issues at Harborside. Mentors and mentees meet weekly and participate together in social-based belonging activities.
212 Mentors focus on developing strong, independent leaders. All 212 Program participants engage in mentoring in- and outside of the school environment. Students travel together, participate in ropes and challenge activities that build leadership through the group process and receive advanced mentor training.
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Student Ambassadors
As direct consumers, students represent the best avenue of knowledge of a school's inner workings. The School Ambassador Program is a leadership training program that develops students as representatives of our school. Whether it is providing tours to visitors, helping with the recruiting process, or representing our school to the community, Student Ambassadors play a vital role in the public relations of Harborside Academy.
Bully Prevention
From day one at Harborside, "No one eats alone." This motto has become an anti-bullying, inclusion oriented statement that has helped guide our students combat the negative and adverse effects of bullying, and facilitate breaking down of social barriers and cliques. Students at Harborside are encouraged to be active observers and participants in their environment. Bystanders are instructed to advocate for each other and to help combat the negative effects of bullying.
A combined student and staff coordinated bully prevention plan is in place. Along with district-wide bully prevention, intervention and investigative procedures, Harborside Academy incorporates programs from student mentoring, crew guidance and lessons, and team-building processes to help students make meaningful and lifelong connections to others. Disciplinary structures further encourage reflection, reclaiming and other best practices to help alter student behavior.
A combined student and staff coordinated bully prevention plan is in place. Along with district-wide bully prevention, intervention and investigative procedures, Harborside Academy incorporates programs from student mentoring, crew guidance and lessons, and team-building processes to help students make meaningful and lifelong connections to others. Disciplinary structures further encourage reflection, reclaiming and other best practices to help alter student behavior.
Student Intervention and Enrichment Programs
Intervention
Intervention Period is a 50 minute block of time set aside each week to provide students unfettered access to staff members for guidance, time to work on projects, and small-group or individual consultation with staff.
Study Skills and Study Hall are non-credit elective classes designed to support students who struggle academically. In an on-going effort to battle failing grades and poor Habits of Success, students who show academic weaknesses are automatically assigned to study hall periods and math-based study skills classes. Students who demonstrate academic improvement by the end of a semester may opt out of the study period.
Revise. Revise. Revise. You are never done until you're done! Students at Harborside are encouraged to be deep analytical thinkers who strive to improve each product until it is "museum quality." Most projects, assessments, and other school work are available for revision. Teachers encourage students to revise assignments for better quality not just a better grade.
Study Skills and Study Hall are non-credit elective classes designed to support students who struggle academically. In an on-going effort to battle failing grades and poor Habits of Success, students who show academic weaknesses are automatically assigned to study hall periods and math-based study skills classes. Students who demonstrate academic improvement by the end of a semester may opt out of the study period.
Revise. Revise. Revise. You are never done until you're done! Students at Harborside are encouraged to be deep analytical thinkers who strive to improve each product until it is "museum quality." Most projects, assessments, and other school work are available for revision. Teachers encourage students to revise assignments for better quality not just a better grade.
Clubs and Extracurricular ActivitiesOur goal at Harborside is to engage all students in at least one activity. Students are offered opportunities that are diverse and that build a variety of life skills. Whether it be our clubs that focus on real world issues such as S.A.D.D. or PRIDE clubs, chess club, Pokemon club, Transformation, or our sports intramural program, there is something for everyone.
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Honor Societies and Renaissance Club
Harborside is a participant and strong advocate of future leaders. The school is a chartered member of the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Quill and Scroll. In addition, the we participate in the Renaissance Club, a program that rewards students for meeting academic, behavioral and attendance goals. Rewards for the program involve increasing autonomy and independence at school, such as off-campus lunch, opting out of study hall periods, and more.
Academic and Enrichment IntensivesEnrichment Intensives occur at the end of each semester. Students who pass all of their classes participate in enrichment intensives, a one-week intensive class experience that gives them a chance to study a subject in depth. Staff members choose an area of significant interest (i.e., Winter Survival, Guitar, Urban Legends, Forensic Science, Active Lifestyles, Gimme Shelter, Urban Photography, and more) and teach that subject all day for a week. This format allows for a fun-filled learning experience that pairs student interest with staff experience.
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Academic Intensives are offered before the end of each semester and are taught by content area staff. Students who fail an academic class or Habits of Success without further support are offered a week long intensive class to enhance their grades. Learning targets that are missed during the semester and Habits of Success markers that have not been met are all taught during this time.
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Data Related to School Culture and Character |
Student Reflections on Character |