In our rapidly changing world, today’s youth must prepare for jobs that do not yet exist in fields that have not yet been imagined. To ensure that our students continue to graduate with a competitive edge, ready and eager to thrive in the 21st-century global economy, Storm King will implement a new academic schedule starting this fall. The new “4 x 4” schedule opens the door for a richer, college-style academic program where each student can craft their own academic trajectory, spark and broaden their interests, and start themselves on the road toward a successful future in higher education and beyond.
Headmaster Jonathan Lamb was pleased to announce the news to the community earlier this spring: “The new schedule further reflects our commitment to provide student-focused, experiential education that enables students to plan a course of study in light of their talents, passions, and future objectives. As a four-year college preparatory school that caters to a diverse student body from all over the globe, we can do no less as we seek to educate the new generations who will be our future leaders in positions to change the world.”
HOW IT WORKS
Storm King’s Dean of Academics Dr. Tim Lance is a strong proponent of the changes: “Our aim is to help our students become thinkers, doers, problem solvers, and adapters. With the new program, the ‘4 Cs’—creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication—are emphasized throughout the curriculum. With approximately 100 courses, including AP and honors-level subjects, our students will have the opportunity to design a program that allows them to explore their particular interests and passions. Fashion design, robotics, and international studies are only some of the areas from which students can benefit from as early as this fall.”
Dr. Lance also explained the mechanics of the new “4 x 4” schedule and how it better serves Storm King’s commitment to providing a tailor-made experience for each student: “The new program follows a university-style schedule. The same four periods meet every day, and students take three to four courses in a given semester. With eight periods offered over the course of an academic year, students have the opportunity to engage in more classes than they would at most other prep schools. By refocusing education on the principal of teacher-student interaction, the new SKS model allows us to offer an experience that is specifically geared toward each student’s interests, abilities, and passions,” continued Dr. Lance.
DREAM EVEN BIGGER
Mr. Lamb attributes the quality of the end result to the teachers who dedicated themselves to the process of developing the new schedule for the last three years. “I wish to thank all the faculty members who worked on this initiative for their diligence, thoughtful consideration, and commitment to this process. I believe our new schedule will allow the School to better prepare our students for the future and encourage them to dream even bigger,” continued Mr. Lamb.
For more information about the new schedule, read the full article on page 14 of our Spring 2018 issue of On the Mountain magazine.