QSI         QUEENS SCHOOL OF INQUIRY     DRAFT 12/28/04

Supporting our students…

   The special goal of our school – preparing you to attend college and earn up to 60 Queens College credits, at the same time graduating from High School with a Regents diploma, all the while learning to be confident, independent thinkers, participating citizens and caring adults means that you will have to work hard and to work smart while you are with us.   We have plans to help you:

Small Class Size

    Our classes have fewer students than most schools.  Often there will be a second teacher in the room to help you, either by yourself or in a small group.

Highly Educated and Caring Teachers

    Our teachers have studied hard, and continue to study, to find ways to teach each and every one of you.  They know how to provide extra instruction in learning English; they use special techniques for students who have trouble learning; they challenge students who are sometimes bored in class.  Teachers of all subjects at QSI connect the learning so it makes sense to you. They know your Student Action Plan well.  They keep in touch with your families.  More than anything else, they want you to succeed…and believe you can!

Advisory

    Every morning, you and a small group of students will meet with a teacher to talk about things that concern you – schoolwork problems, learning how to get along with other people, how to set and meet goals for yourself.  Advisories will read good books and solve math puzzles together. We hope that your Advisory will stay together for the 7 years you are with us so you can get to know and encourage one another.

Inquiry Learning

    Built into your schedule is a daily Inquiry period, reflecting a belief at the core of our school – that people learn by asking questions about topics that interest them, and then investigate, come up with answers and share the results with their community.   During the Inquiry Period, small groups of students with a teacher will work on a meaningful project that students choose. All the while, you’ll be using the content and skills of literacy, Math, technology - all the things you learn in school - in a real world, active experience. This is your chance to practice what you know.  We expect that what you do will matter…to yourself and to the world around you.

Technology

    Every day you’ll have time to use our Rolling Lap Top Lab to support what you’re learning – and how you learn it.  Computer programs can help you read, write, do Math, learn another language, sharpen your skills, do research, learn more about technology itself, compose your own music, keep track of your progress, illustrate your own work.

Extended Day and Summer Programs

Preparing to go to college while you are still in middle school and high school is a very challenging task.  You’ll need plenty of extra time.  At QSI, we’ll offer tutoring before and after school, with some arts and athletics after school as well.  Plan on attending Summer School - you’ll need it to catch up, keep up and move ahead.