Adolescence is a time of fiery, creative developmental energy. We are primed to explore, discover, argue, build, create, and dream. We must do these things so that normal development can take place. Typical high schools are obstacles to this period of growth; they stunt development rather than ignite it and are often places that the love of learning goes to die. Modern high schools can be different. They can be developmental, engaging, and interesting places with more ‘reality’ and activity.

1. How to Build the Best
High Schools, Ever
Organized by James Moudry
jamesmoudry@postoakschool.org
SXSWedu 2015 Resource
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3. “The root of the problem is a
school experience that is
essentially passive, fragmented,
and based on skills.”
Alfie Kohn
The Schools Our Children Deserve (1999)
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4. “Drudgery is the feeling that what one is
doing is important to future goals, but
pursuing those goals is not motivating or
enjoyable at the moment.”
Dr. Kevin Rathunde
Professor
Researcher: Optimal Experience
University of Utah
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5. The Antidote for Drudgery
is Reality
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6. If students do not feel emotionally connected to their
school, if they do not feel that adults at the school care
about them, if they don’t feel that teachers are trying to
teach them, and not just the content, students simply do
not put in the requisite effort—and they do not learn, at
least not up to their potential.
John Chubb, President, National Association of Independent Schools, USA
October 3, 2013
Engagement Matters
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7. Adaptability
“...this is the most essential quality; for the
progress of the world is continually
opening new careers, and at the same time
closing or revolutionizing the traditional
types of employment.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Physician
Educator
Author, From Childhood to Adolescence (1948)
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8. “Many of the kids graduating from college these
days are going to hold a number of different jobs
in their lives, and many of those jobs have not yet
been invented.
“For a world like that, what’s the best education?
Seems to me it’s a very general education that
enables you to think critically.”
-Hunter Rawlings, NewYorkTimes, 2013
President,Association of American Universities
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9. “Coming into this school I did not know much about
what it would be like, so in a way I was taking a gamble.
It paid off.” -student
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10. Student-Center
Choice
Reality
Independence
Activity
Environment provides
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13. Measuring Engagement
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14. “The teachers know how to challenge the students and
the community is extremely supportive.” -student
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35. Museum Park Super Neighborhood
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36. Joel Bartsch
President of the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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37. “I see great potential for students to
benefit from focused relationships with
curators and staff at the museum—
building on their coursework through real,
behind-the-scenes experience with top
professionals in the country.
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38. Working closely with students also
benefits the museum, furthering our
mission to enhance in citizens an interest
in natural science.”
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39. Paleontology Intern
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40. Marine Biology Intern
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41. Entomology Intern
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42. Psychology Intern
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43. Exhibit Docents
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44. High School Survey of
Student Engagement
University of Indiana, USA
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45. HSSSE seeks to assess the
extent to which high school
students engage in education
practices associated with high
levels of learning and
development.
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46. Since 2004
500 schools
40 states
400,000 students
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48. Questions
Teachers engage me in classroom discussions
How much does your school emphasize
understanding information and ideas for classes?
How often have you worked on a paper or project that
required you to do research?
During this school year, how often have you connected
ideas or concepts from one class to another?
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49. 3%
1%
13%
15%
5%
13%
65%
58%
73%
14%
35%
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree
Q4g. Teachers engage me in classroom discussions
0%
20%
40%
60%
PercentofResponseswithinGroup
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak School
Bar Graphs
Private Schools
Public Schools
Teachers engage me in classroom discussions
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50. 4%
1%
12%
2%
7%
46%
27%
93%
35%
69%
Not at all Very little Some Very much
Q6b. How much does you school emphasize: Understanding information and ideas for ...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
PercentofResponseswithinGroup
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak School
Bar Graphs
How much does your school emphasize
understanding information and ideas for classes?
50

51. 5%
1%
7%
16%
9%
13%
44%
40%
80%
31%
47%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9i. During this school year, how often have you: Worked on a paper or project that r...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
PercentofResponseswithinGroup
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak School
Bar Graphs
How often have you worked on a paper or project that
required you to do research?
51

52. 10%
3%
26%
17%
40%
42% 43%
60%
17%
35%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9m. During this school year, how often have you: Connected ideas or concepts from ...
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
PercentofResponseswithinGroup
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak School
Bar Graphs
During this school year, how often have you connected
ideas or concepts from one class to another?
52

53. 7%
2%
22%
11%
20%
43%
39%
80%
24%
46%
Never Rarely Sometimes Often
Q9l. During this school year, how often have you: Discussed questions in class that ha...
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
PercentofResponseswithinGroup
NAISHSSSE PublicYour School
Post Oak School
Bar Graphs
During this school year, how often have you discussed
questions in class that have no clear answers?
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54. “The school gives us
opportunities and we’re
treated with respect and
trust.”
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