Gateway Academy - ISD 192, Farmington Area Public Schools

VISION OF LEARNING AT GATEWAY ACADEMY

Rooted in community action and problem-solving, students will engage in authentic collaboration and creative experiences in which to solve real problems in both local and global contexts. As its central focus, students will be active agents of their own learning. They will not only exceed mastery of academic standards, but will do so in an environment where they interact as scientists, engineers, makers, designers, hackers (the good kind), entrepreneurs, authors, inventors, politicians, mathematicians, and philosophers.

A series of core elements will make this school unique. It will…1) Design learning around a project-based (problem/inquiry/challenge) model customized to connect individual student sparks with rigorous academic standards and community needs, 2) Apply a one-to-the world approach in which students work alongside other students, mentors, and experts in the field and see how the application of their learning impacts the growth of a wide community, 3) Make use of innovative practices including: open lab, learning portfolios, experiential learning, community mentors, continuous progress towards mastery, and individual learning paths, 4) Be intentional in creating a stimulating learning environment, 5) Blur age and grade-based placement by offering school-wide and multi-age instruction and collaboration, 6)Provide a continuous progress and alternative instructional delivery models (online/hybrid) allowing student access to higher levels of content and/or courses with a focus on mastery beyond standards, 7) Make use of flexible school schedules and calendar options, 8) Encourage all members (students, staff and parents) to add their voices as a community of leaders, and 8) Feature a professional learning community model that daily reorganizes to adjust to the learning projects of students.