The 9th grade team of teachers respond with a curriculum designed around Rutland’s water shortage.

The Freshman Interdisciplinary Team offers students a cohesive, integrated curriculum in which they are provided with opportunities to demonstrate what they learn within real-life contexts, such as the Water Project.  Teachers utilize best practices informed by recent brain-based learning and aim to provide a more personalized instruction that targets each student’s needs and learning style.  The Freshman Teacher Advisory Program affords weekly contact between every student and a building-based adult who will support, encourage, and, if necessary, advocate for that student.

Last year’s freshman pilot program was funded by the Rowland Foundation (http://www.therowlandfoundation.org/), which continues to fund and support the current expanded program at Rutland High School, and other teacher-led school transformation efforts throughout the state of Vermont.