Schedule
Students attend Ideaventions Academy for a balanced and dynamic schedule that supports deep learning, health and pursuit of interests. With a diverse range of activities inside and outside the classroom, students develop independent learning skills, leadership and work habits.
A Week of a Student
Upper Elementary and Middle School
Ideaventions Academy students are involved in a variety of activities and interests. This is a typical week for a 7th grade girl at Ideaventions Academy. With a passion for engineering and art, she is involved in a variety of club activities, including robotics, music and rocketry.
Upper School
In our Upper School, students have a collegial-style schedule to support our challenging curriculum and involvement in a variety of activities and organizations. This is a typical week for a 9th grader who has an interest in aerospace engineering and fencing.
Many of our students are doing extraordinary things: designing drones, conducting brain research, building inventions, competing in sports, writing books, creating art, traveling, and serving their communities. Our schedule supports students pursuing their interests and developing strong, positive relationships inside and outside the classroom.
Collegial Environment & Schedule
Our extended schedule includes an end-of-day activity period, that all students are encouraged to participate in. The activity period allows students to develop leadership, receive extra help or mentoring, and enjoy social time as they pursue their interests beyond the classroom.
To that end, we designed a schedule to prepare students for college and foster lifelong learning:
To that end, we designed a schedule to prepare students for college and foster lifelong learning:
- Our classes meet twice or three-times a week, either Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
- We are based on a two-semester system, but most classes are year-long.
- Upper School students have Open Work Periods as part of their schedule. These times are for preparing for seminars and labs, working on assignments, and taking care of their other commitments and interests.
- We are a school that is committed to research and innovation, so students shape our offerings; the academic research component of our school is a living organism. The direction of our research labs and post-AP studies are shaped by the research interests of our students and instructors.
Pursuing Interests
The Ideaventions Academy schedule supports students following their passions. With elective choices, numerous student-led clubs and organizations, and a diverse set of speakers, events and trips students have the opportunity to pursue their interests and curiosity.
Building Social Bonds
The schedule supports students forming strong social bonds and being part of a positive, ethical community founded on our honor code and community contract. Our design provides freedom to join organizations and clubs, fostering interactions and relationships across grade levels and with faculty and mentors.
Upper School Uniqueness
Similar, but different, the Upper School is intended to prepare students to succeed at top colleges and universities. To do this, we have designed a college-style schedule which places more responsibility on the student for managing their time. To support our advanced curriculum that includes AP-level and university level (post-AP) coursework, our schedule features:
- Seminar and laboratory-style classes that meet twice, three, or four-times a week for 90 minutes each class depending upon the course requirements.
- “Work Periods” throughout the week for individual work, mentoring and small group collaboration.
- An optional “Activity Period” at the end of each day for student-led clubs, study groups, office hours, and research.Open Work Periods that are built-in time blocks for students to prepare for class and complete assignments alongside peers and with teacher acting as mentors.
Work Periods
Unique to our Upper School, the schedule is designed with work periods that complement our college-style seminars and labs. The work periods are open time blocks where students prepare for upcoming classes, complete assignments from classes, or take care of other responsibilities and pursuits. The work periods grow student responsibility for managing their own time, preparing them to succeed in the college environment, building essential work habits earlier in their academic careers in the presence of teacher mentors.