"I’ve gone to a school where my voice has been valued, where I've been given the opportunity to make my own choices and compassion has been paramount. A place with teachers who actually care about me and how I'm doing."
-PSCS Senior Credo
Students at PSCS
At PSCS, staff and students co-create each term's schedule together in a process called Schedule Mapping, which prioritizes self- and community-advocacy, as well as regular practice of life-long skills: collaboration, goal-setting, and accountability.
We believe that ALL people want to make the world a better place and are intrinsically compelled by our innate curiosity and passions. Young people especially thrive when provided choice, positive support, responsibility, and a wide range of academic opportunity. PSCS also believes the best way to learn and practice is to teach others—as such, students often facilitate or co-facilitate classes, activities, and experiences.
In creating the schedule and offering courses, our staff prioritizes true history, musicianship, identity, heritage, and belonging. PSCS students begin to find meaning and empowerment in their own educational path, and continually discover new ways to contribute positively to the community, and to the world beyond middle and high school.
Our philosophy nurtures in our 6th-8th graders a deeper understanding of themselves and their identity in the larger context.
In middle school, Advisors and older students act as coaches and guides in this process, assisting our youngest and newest to identify and pursue their interests while helping them to develop the skills they need to derive the greatest benefit from the community.
Middle school students are required to participate in some specific programs and activities, including Seminars and Projects, but are asked to invest most fully in project based learning, community engagement, practice and skill-building.
