There is something unusual about School of the Future. While students in other schools are preparing for state exams, students at School of the Future are getting ready to present a semester long study.
School of the Future is known for its exemption from taking the Regents, a statewide exam covering all core subjects. Instead of the Regents, students are required to demonstrate a core skill through a paper and presentation known as exhibitions. Mr Fanning, the high school director comments on the exhibitions. He stated: “This is what we feel prepares our kids most for college and beyond”
Mr Copeland, the 11th and 12th grade history teacher and musical director stated: “We encourage students to investigate something that they find interesting. We hone their skills, their research skills, their writing skills.”
Many students have mixed reviews on the presentations. Some believe that the presentations truly represents a deeper understanding of the material while others would rather take the Regents.
One student commented: “I love exhibitions because they allow me to immerse myself in a topic of a subject that I otherwise might not have learned from a test”
Other students disagree with having to do exhibitions. One student commented: “I would rather just take a test and be done with it.”
Exhibitions take place twice each year, one per semester. They are broken up by into each core subject. Which consists of history, english, mathematics, and science.
Currently students are working on their second semester exhibition, and for many seniors it is their last exhibition and will determine if they graduate on time.
One student is working on a history exhibition that focuses on the contradiction between Thomas Jefferson’s personal life and his political rhetoric.
While another student is focusing on why the Women’s Suffrage Movement got underway when it did.