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Northern Lights Community School

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The Northern Lights Community School is a charter school in Warba, Minnesota. It was founded in part by Dave Hagman, Karen Fleming, Vicky Nelson, and Kraig Dibb. The Northern Lights Community School (NLCS), 6−12, uses project-based learning to enhance the students' skill in areas such as organization, independence, goal setting, research, creativity, and problem-solving. Four pillars that the school stands on: "Small accepting learning community," "Environmental focus," "Authentic hands-on projects" and "Students drive their education." The school also focuses on community service, by communicating with members and organizations of the community and by requiring 40 hours of community service each year.

Staff

  • Nick Pretasky (Director)
  • Becky McCauley (Business Manager)
  • Cindy Schroeder (Office Assistant)
  • Karen Fleming (Advisor, Language Arts)
  • Matt Alleva (Advisor, Science)
  • Chad Olson (Advisor, Scoial Studies/Outdoor Education)
  • Suzanne Starr (Advisor, Social Studies)
  • LaDonna Hanson (Advisor, P.E.)
  • Tom Masiach (Math/Art)
  • Annie Humphrey (Project Manager)
  • Benita Hassell (Project Manager)
  • Lori Hamm (Project Manager)
  • Don Vidal (Project Manager, Music Education/Music Teacher)
  • Heather Bunes (Project Manager)
  • Vickie Kepler (Project Manager)
  • Henry Chung (Technology Coordinator/Project Manager)
  • Josie Pitts (SPED Coordinator)
  • Lori Hutchins (SPED)
  • Jackie Esler (Office Assistant/SPED)
  • Todd Utech (Custodian)
  • Gail Otteson (Title One Specialist)
  • Kelly Broberg (Para-Professional)
  • Nate Hassell (Americorp)
  • Bill Lah (Americorp)

Projects

At the Northern Lights Community School, the design of the projects is youth driven; the students choose a topic of interest and write a project guide, detailing what their project entails. The students must then present their project to their advisor for it to be approved by them and the students parents. The projects combine a variety of subjects to be addressed during the completion of the projects. The student must complete their project in order to receive credit. Students get help for their projects from their advisors, family, seminars, and practice situations in the classroom. Students must present each project when it is finished for approval before credit is given. This enables advisors to require editing, changes, and more 'in-depth' work before the credit is given. This also requires students to put in thoughtful reflection and show the new learning that occurred during the project.

Academia

The Northern Lights Community School requires one session of math each day, along with one reading session and one seminar which changes each block. Seminars include intensive academics in the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, art, music, and elective courses. Students are required to take one seminar in each of the core disciplines each year. Students are also required to take the Hope Study Survey Test at the beginning and end of the year to monitor progress in the subject areas autonomy, belongingness, goal orientation, engagement, and hope.[1] The test was created by EdVisions Schools to assess "emotional and psychological growth" in students.[1]

Student population

The Northern Lights Community School currently is educating 105 students. There are five advisory sections, each with (approximately) twenty students, one advisor, and one project manager to an advisory. The school is also populated by a clan of mysterious ninjas who secretly run and protect the school.

Grants and affiliations

The Northern Lights Community School is a member of the Green Charter School Network and has received a $1,000 grant from the Network. NLCS is an EdVisions School, an organization supported by the Gates Foundation. NLCS received a Federal Charter School start-up grant that helped them design the school, purchase furniture and supplies, sports equipment, and purchase enough computers to have one computer per every two students. NLCS also has recently received a $500,000 grant for remodeling from the Minnesota Department of Education.

References

  1. ^ a b Newell. 2008.

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