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Our students come with a fantastic array of life experiences, gifts, challenges, and abilities. What they all share is a willingness to take initiative in their education, to engage with their school work and peers, and to discover their true passions.
need more info: (by class, info, sample case studies, their story): day students; boarding students & program (diversity, case studies etc) need student Life info — what the culture is like, day in the life of 2-3 students need info about diversity -- boarders etc... |
What We Look For In Students
Fundamentally, we look for students who are up for the challenge of Youth Initiative; they want to be fully involved in their education. This desire is paramount. Beyond this, successful YIHS students also demonstrate engagement, curiosity, commitment, striving, creativity, and fortitude.
“YIHS admits students of any race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), sexual orientation, or parental status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), sexual orientation, or parental status in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs.” ~ from the YIHS Vision & Purpose Statement
Meaningful Evaluation & Indivdual Support for Students
Growing up comes with great opportunities and challenges. Adolescents grapple with questions of identity, purpose, belonging, personal values, and what the future holds. At the same time, they are learning to balance school, jobs, homework, sports, relationships, and extracurricular activities.
At Youth Initiative, we understand adolescents. We provide challenge and support, responsibility and freedom, structure and independence. From our small classroom size to our unique Care Group system of support, we are able to pay close attention to each student, to meet them where they are, and to help them grow and flourish in the ways they need most.
Our faculty members write detailed reports of student progress for each class weekly, so parents and students can track growth and look for areas of improvement. These reports reveal far more about each student’s capabilities, contributions, and areas of challenge than a letter grade ever could.
Collectively, these narrative reports also create an impressive transcript that helps Youth Initiative students stand out in the college application process.
At Youth Initiative, we understand adolescents. We provide challenge and support, responsibility and freedom, structure and independence. From our small classroom size to our unique Care Group system of support, we are able to pay close attention to each student, to meet them where they are, and to help them grow and flourish in the ways they need most.
Our faculty members write detailed reports of student progress for each class weekly, so parents and students can track growth and look for areas of improvement. These reports reveal far more about each student’s capabilities, contributions, and areas of challenge than a letter grade ever could.
Collectively, these narrative reports also create an impressive transcript that helps Youth Initiative students stand out in the college application process.
“No matter where else I go in the world I know there’s a place where I can feel comfortable being myself and I know people accept me for who I am. I feel like everyone should have a place like that.”
- MARIS B., YIHS student
Quotes By and About Students
“Students are engaged in every aspect of the running of the school. Because of the commitment and initiative these activities inspire in the students, I think it is a form of education that should be available for more teenagers. YIHS offers a great holistic education and more. It engages the students in the workings of things and inspires involvement and purpose in their work in the world.
-Martha Buche, Current Parent
“An integral part of the YIHS experience is gladly accepting challenges that one might not face in most high school environments. I remember scrambling to fundraise for the school, cleaning the hallways, and meeting with my peers to discuss the school’s future. Now that I’m supposedly “all grown up”, I’ve realized that not only did YIHS provide me with an excellent education, but it also taught me some invaluable life skills. And for those experiences, I will forever be grateful to YIHS.”
-Jeff Marshall, Class of ‘06
“In addition to a solid education, I left Youth Initiative with a strong sense of independence and confidence that has allowed me to tackle whatever path I choose to follow. Being trusted with responsibility and being expected to think for myself as a student fostered the creativity and resourcefulness that have helped me follow through on my wildest ambitions, no matter how improbable or challenging. I am so grateful to the Youth Initiative community for giving me such a special opportunity to discover and use my own abilities, the self-assuredness that came from their confidence in me is invaluable.”
-Emily Colacino, Class of ’07
“One of the main things YIHS taught me is to appreciate the beauty of awkwardness. If you are not afraid of the awkward, uncomfortable, overly sincere, a lot of other unnecessary, ancillary matter falls away. For me awkwardness equates realness. It is the emotional equivalent of thrusting your hands deep into the soil... and then pulling them out and rubbing them on somebody. I am biological material and so are you and so is this, so wear it proudly. Figure out what's important to you, because the dirt will always be there.”
-Nate Baumgartner, Class of ‘07
“Working at YIHS is a challenge and an inspiration every day. The experience I get from YIHS is the experience I hope our students get as well; the experience of creating meaning for myself in a community, and the sense that by doing my best I can actually make the world a better place.”
-Matthew Voz, YIHS Faculty Member and Administrator
Seniors
Juniors
Sophomores
Freshmen
