Imagination & Passion

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Whether you are a current Waldorf student or new to Waldorf education, our school provides a deeply transformative environment to continue the developmental stages begun in a Waldorf elementary school or to challenge and invigorate students in a new way, building on their past experiences and growing into their future selves.

From its very conception, Youth Initiative has been a pioneer in education. The world in which our students are coming of age is constantly evolving.  That’s why we are continually evaluating our pedagogical methods and developing dynamic and innovative approaches to help students grow as whole human beings.   

We have been at the forefront of alternative secondary education for almost two decades.   But our curriculum is not limited to the traditional classroom.  Youth Initiative High School has woven students into the very fabric of their school and their community, making every moment a teaching moment.  In addition to our academic and artistic curriculum we have also taken an innovative and successful approach to character education, staying true to our name and engendering initiative in our students every day.  To learn how we do this, click here.

Our Course Offerings

MAIN LESSON BLOCKS
There are two main lesson blocks each day: one in the morning from 8:35 to 10:25 and one in the afternoon from 1:00 or 1:50 to 2:45.  Main lesson blocks are usually from 3 to 4 weeks long and include about 30-40 hours of instructional time.  Morning main lessons are more focused toward academic and intellectual skills.  Histories, English literature and composition, and most of the sciences are taught at this time.  The afternoon blocks focus on the hands - manual and fine arts such as sculpture, carpentry, auto mechanics, figure drawing, drama, photography, woodworking, watercolor, and many more.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Foreign languages are an important part of the YIHS curriculum.  French and Spanish are both offered each year and many other languages have been offered upon student interest (Latin, Russian, German, etc.)  Foreign exchanges are very popular among our students and our students have gone as far afield as Guatemala, Spain, Mexico, India, Germany, Britain, France, Colombia, and Egypt.

MATHEMATICS
Youth Initiative offers a full complement of mathematics courses from basic algebra to Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus.

INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Independent Studies are classes proposed and initiated by students. Usually they replace one of a student’s normal classes and may be self-taught, taught by a fellow student, or include a guest teacher. Students are required to submit and get approval for a proposal to the Independent Study Committee.  This committee accepts or rejects proposals and evaluates student work against its own benchmarks, eventually assigning the pass or fail grade to the independent study.  This ensures freedom and responsibility for students undertaking independent studies.

THEME WEEK AND SERVICE WEEK
During these two weeks, normal classes are suspended to make way for special classes and projects. For Theme Week, the students decide on a theme, find the necessary teachers and resources for their chosen theme, and then enjoy their week. Past themes include: Radio Broadcasting, Self-defense, Circus, Superheroes and Spies, and even Death and Dying.  During Service Week, students spend their time serving the community, sometimes in the form of work around the school, but more often doing dirty work for other organizations.
In Depth and
Individual
YIHS DOES NOT USE LETTER GRADES AND DOES NOT RANK STUDENTS 
IN ANY WAY. 
Instead, our Weekly and Final Reports provide thorough and personalized assessment geared toward growth and achievement, 
View the Academic Block schedule.
View the Daily Schedule
View more detailed Course Offerings