NWSS students heading into Grade 9 next year will have the option of taking a class that combines the four core subjects - math, science, English and social studies - into one.
The Equinox program, according to one of the facilitators, is very hands-on and projects-based with a focus on social justice.
"We could be going to the river, for example, to do some science work," said English teacher Bruce McCloy. "At the same time, it offers a great opportunity to do some writing about what we see in nature. We could be also sharing history of the area or doing math related to the velocity of the water."
McCloy, who's currently studying alternative educational models as part of his doctoral thesis, told the Record the goal of the new program is to break down "the barriers between subjects."
"What we found for many years is that we worked in one subject area and we'd leave it to the students to make that connection," he said. "The idea is to integrate the curriculum so that students see the world as a whole rather than its individual parts."
The program will be taught by McCloy and science teacher Jennifer Nathan. It will run both semesters, five days a week, during the morning hours. When it comes to report cards, transcripts will still show the standard subjects listed individually.
The direction of the program will be determined by students, parents and mentors, McCloy added.
"The morning can be constructed any way they want to. If we want to spend three weeks on a writing project, that's what we'll do. Students will be coming up with a lot of the ideas."
When asked if the pair is confident in their abilities to teach all four courses, McCloy said, "yes." Their guarantee to students is they'll be at the same level as the rest of their peers prior to entering Grade 10.
One of the challenges, however, will be the amount of work required to develop the curriculum, he said.
"We knew that going in. We both have been involved with this kind of program before, but the neat thing about it is that it's more work to blend all the four subjects, but on the flipside, it's incredibly engaging. Having the kids get together in the morning, and get to know each other, it definitely pays off."
The Equinox program was originally proposed to NWSS staff by Grade 12 student Sadie DeCoste. The teen had travelled to Victoria last year for an environmental conference hosted by a school with a similar program.
"It was so exciting, and I thought 'Why don't we have one here in New West?' I ended up presenting the idea at a staff meeting," DeCoste said, adding McCloy contacted her a short while later.
For the soon-to-be-graduate, introducing the Equinox program at the Grade 9 level is important because "kids are still forming their world views."
Going forward, DeCoste would like to see the model expanded into other grades.
The high school is looking for its first cohort of students for September 2015. Grade 8's and their parents are invited to an information night on April 8 at 7 p.m. inside the NWSS library.
