OUR APPROACH

Life is about more than what happens at school. It’s about ready access to experiences, resources, relationships, and opportunity.

That's why our students spend significant time working outside the classroom on passion projects and out of the building in professional internships. When we are in the classroom, our focus is on experiential learning through authentic, relevant, and culturally responsive projects.

This approach empowers our students to develop the autonomy and skills they need to navigate complex systems, develop meaningful relationships, and build professional and social networks.

 

OUR GRADUATES

Our graduates leave Why Not You Academy with the agency, experience, and skills they need to live an intentional, purposeful, and fulfilling life. They are empowered and motivated to act, to get things done, and the persistent will to keep improving themselves, their community, and the world at large.

Why Not You Academy graduates are:

 

  • World-class communicators and collaborations

  • Experienced in real-world problem solving and work

  • Book-brilliant, street smart, and world-wise

  • Self-directed, lifelong learners

  • Community builders and community leaders

 

OUR MODEL

Why Not You Academy model provides our students with a web of supports, experiences, and authentic learning that empowers and equips them to chart their own path for success after graduation.

Each student works closely with dedicated advisors and mentors to guide their high school experience.

They spend roughly a third of their time working and learning in real-world settings.

When they are in the classroom, our students learn in an identity-affirming school culture with relevant and culturally responsive projects.

 
 
 
 
 
 

ADVISORY

Advisors at are the heart of our model. They guide and support each student in the development of their individual pathway and learning plan, planting and nurturing the seeds of experience that grow into empowerment and success.

 
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PERSONALIZED

Students control their own learning through Personal Learning Plans, with faculty and advisors to support, challenge, and inspire them.

 

EXPERIENTIAL

Teachers act as a coaches and curators of inquiry-based, real-world student projects both in and out of the classroom.

 
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LEAVING TO LEARN

Students spend 1 day a week working in professional settings, building networks, relationships, self-confidence and practical skills.

 

LEAVING TO LEARN

 

Leaving To Learn is at the heart of what we do at Why Not You Academy, integrating real-world learning, community-based learning, and self-directed learning

Leaving To Learn is grounded in the truth that the best way to learn how to do anything is to do it for real, to reflect on how it went with a mentor, and to put your insights into practice as you try again.

Leaving to Learn provides our students with a framework to develop the professional relationships and relevant experiences they need to craft their own vision for success after high school and develop the skills to turn that vision into a reality.

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  • INTEREST EXPLORATION

    Students explore opportunities based on their interests

  • FIELD RESEARCH

    Students do a deeper dive into aspecific area of interest

  • INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

    Students meet with professionals in their chosen area of interest

  • JOB SHADOWING

    Students spend time observing professional interactions in a work setting

  • INTERNSHIPS

    Students spend 1 day a week working with professionals and gaining real world skills