Success Stories

An Example from Expeditionary Learning

Although the society centered curriculum uses assessment strategies such as reflection, outcomes of community projects, and students' development of essential skills (Ellis, 2004) rather than standardized testing, we acknowledge that testing has a large role in today's public schools. We want to assure the school board that schools that use society centered curriculum can help students to do well on traditional tests while at the same time becoming problem solvers and active learners. As we have previously mentioned, Expeditionary Learning is a program that utilizes ideas in line with the society centered model. According to Expeditionary Learning, "Our schools consistently outperform their peers on student achievement measures and we are committed to collecting third-party research on the impact of our work" (Expeditionary Learning, 2014).  A recent study done by Mathematica Policy Research, found that EL middle schools students are 10 months ahead after just three years. They found their students be 7 months ahead in reading as well (Expeditionary Learning, 2014).

Schools that partner with Expeditionary Learning, exceed their peers on standardized assessments.

Image Source: Expeditionary Learning. (2014). Our Results. Retrieved from:           http://elschools.org/our-results.

In 2013, these schools that are partners with EL achieved 100% acceptance to college!

Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies

Brooklyn, NY

Capital City Public Charter School

Washington, D.C. 

Codman Academy

Boston, MA

Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders

Brooklyn, NY

Mapleton Expeditionary School for the Arts

Thornton, CO

Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy

Prescott, AZ

Springfield Renaissance School

Springfield, MA

Tapestry Charter School

Buffalo, NY

Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School

New York, NY

(Expeditionary Learning, 2014).

Foxfire

"The success of the Foxfire program was due in large part to the fact the the students chose to create a magazine. Since the magazine was their choice, the students were deeply invested in the work of creating it.” (The Foxfire Approach, 2015)

A Student Perspective

"For two years I was a part of the magazine class; as a result, I have experienced all the emotions that go along with it - the tears of angst that come with lost or crashed disks, the frustrations of a computer that just won't cooperate, the nerves before the first interview, the thrill of a good interview, and the incredible pride after seeing your name in print for the first time. Working on the magazine has also given me many opportunities to give presentations about the class at several colleges, universities, and conferences. With each interview and speech, I have gained something that no other class could have given me - the confidence and assurance I needed to go from being the most timid, shy person in my class to being a leader among my peers. The skills and opportunities I have obtained through working for The Foxfire Magazine are assets that will help me throughout my life." —Lacy Hunter Nix  (The Foxfire Approach, 2015)