Avalon School

Story

Avalon School is a project-based charter middle school and high school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, located at 700 Glendale Street. As a project-based school, students meet their academic graduation requirements through a combination of independent projects, group projects, and seminars. Individual students' schedules vary depending on the seminars they are enrolled in and the activities they are involved with. Students spend a significant part each day working independently on projects. The school has a flat organizational structure with no principal or director in a position of power. The staff members work collaboratively to manage the school. Avalon's mission is as follows: Avalon School prepares students for college and life in a strong, nurturing community that inspires active learning, engaged citizenship, and hope for the future.AdvisorsIn keeping with the non-hierarchical organizational structure, students refer to teachers as 'advisors' and students and staff are all on a first-name basis. Some of the advisors are leaders of a homeroom-like group of students, called advisories. Advisories are housed in classroom-sized areas separated from each other by cubicle walls. Advisories are spaces where students work on independent projects or other assignments for seminars. Each student has their desk space which they can decorate as they please. The advisories create a semi-homey environment ideal for getting work done.SeminarsSeminars are classes specifically tailored to Minnesota graduation standards although they are not usually the traditional "Intro to Literature" style courses. Instead, the advisors get creative making classes such as "Rights of Passage", "World Genocide", or "1950s Literature". There is usually a small class size, although some classes (such as Economics) can become quite large. They are generally discussion based and allow the students to have quite a bit of control. Math seminars are offered for Algebra 1&2, Geometry, and Advanced Topics. Independent math is an option using the accelerated math program, PSEO, or other proposed method.