New Vista High School
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (December 2007) |
| New Vista High School | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Established | 1993 |
| Principal | Kirk Quitter |
| Grades | 9 - 12 |
| Number of students | 340 |
| Color(s) | Black and Teal |
| Mascot | Phoenix, Aussie Dog |
| Website | New Vista High School |
New Vista is a small, innovative high school located on the corner of 20th and Baseline in Boulder, Colorado. It was founded in 1993 by former principal Rona Wilensky.
Academics
NVHS runs on a quarter system; every nine weeks the schedule changes. There are no Advanced Placement classes, IB Program, or weighted grades. Anything below a B-(80%) is a failing grade. Students cannot count a C for a Common Learning credits. Class subjects are varied, allowing students to learn about things that interest them. New Vista is within close proximity to the University of Colorado and both of the major high schools so students have the option to take classes that NVHS doesn't offer. New Vista is a diverse school; classes are formatted differently than conventional high schools, are much smaller, approximately 15-30 students per class, and consist of mixed grades.
Culminating Projects
Each New Vista student must complete a Culminating Project to graduate. Students must spend at least 120 hours on a self created project, pursuing a passion, or exploring a new interest. Every student forms a committee of a younger student, a peer also working on a culminating project, their adviser, a mentor, and an adult who knows them well. The committee meets during the final year to evaluate the progress a project is making.
Block schedule
Most students take a total of three to five classes a quarter: First Period, AM block, Seminar, and PM block or two one hour long PM blocks—along with advisory. AM and PM blocks are worth one credit and Seminar classes are worth half a credit. First periods are optional and offer a chance to catch up or get ahead on credit. By allowing students to choose their classes, they determine the difficulty their schedule.
Advisory
Every student at New Vista is assigned to a mixed-grade advisory class; which they attend all four years of their career at New Vista. Advisors help help students stay on track with academics, scheduling and general support.
Community gatherings
Community Gatherings are a weekly, mandatory opportunity for students and teachers to gather as a whole and announce recent/upcoming events such as problems that have recently occurred, programs that are being offered in or around New Vista.
Other learning opportunities
New Vista gives students the chance to explore the community and get credit for their work in out-of-school activities.
Community experience
Every Wednesday, students finish classes at mid-day to serve the community. Students then have the rest of the day to volunteer or help with something they are interested in. CEs vary from an internship with a local architect or artist, to working at a local restaurant, skate shop, or hotel, to helping in a classroom at another school. It is up to the student how long he/she would like to continue volunteering.
Workshops
Some students choose not to participate in Community Experiences but workshops instead. Workshops are classes taught at New Vista by people who are not necessarily teachers.
Learning Unit Contract (LUC)
New Vista students can earn extra credit for off-campus learning experiences outside the school day and year that are supervised and evaluated by qualified community experts. Examples include: team sports, fitness programs, language study, music, or other private lessons.
Four Days in May
Every year, for a week in May, students take a break from the regular school curriculum to go out in the community and give back through service learning. Groups of students, led by staff members, go and volunteer for local non-profit organizations. Four Days in May teaches students leadership skills and provides different ways to get involved in the community. Projects include: videos for non-profits, maintenance help for seniors, building trails, and working with the GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Trans-sexual, and Questioning) group.
Extracurricular activities
Students are given the chance to go to other schools, such as The September School to participate in after school activities that they provide.
There are also activities that New Vista Offers:
- Theater
- Restorative Justice
- Yearbook
- Equity
- Pepquity
- After School Band
Athletics
Athletics at New Vista are limited, so many students participate in other school's sports teams such as: wrestling, tennis, cross country, track, football, soccer, and swimming teams. Or they can start a club directed towards a certain sport.
Volleyball
New Vista has the only co-ed volleyball team in the state. NVHS plays in the 3A and 5A boys league. The team was resurrected in 2001, after a two year hiatus.
New Vista was the 2007 state champion in 3A.
Clubs
All clubs at New Vista are formed and organized by students. Students are able to apply for clubs and if enough people are interested in joining, a club will be formed.
External links