Harwood Union Middle & High School
About the School
School Mission: It is the mission of Harwood Union High School to provide an educational and creative environment in which every person is valued as an individual, challenged as a learner, inspired to contribute to a democratic society, and provided a unique and personalized learning experience.”
Harwood Unified Union School District (HUUSD) serves six rural communities in central Vermont: Duxbury, Fayston, Moretown, Waitsfield, Warren, and Waterbury. The district has seven schools: four PK-6 elementary schools, one PK-4 primary school, one 5-8 middle school, and a high school serving grades 7-12. The high school is located about 30 miles east of Burlington, VT.
Harwood Union High School promotes student-centered learning, based on the principle that "the one who does the work does the learning." Harwood also utilizes proficiency based graduation requirements that can be met either through coursework or equivalent learning in flexible pathways.
About the School: Harwood Union High School serves 579 students in grades 7-12. Students in the school are 95% White, 2% Multiracial, 1% Black, 1% Asian, 1% Hispanic, and 0.2% American Indian/Alaskan Native. 9% of students receive free or reduced lunch, and 18% are SWD.
Key Takeaways
Career Lab, Independent studies, Interships, and Early College allow students personalized pathways and opportunities for college and career readiness.
Harkness Model - way of discussing and communicating in the classroom was a whole-school model
Extended Studies - Deleveled all classes yet offered opportunity for extensions for Honors credit by completing three 30-hour projects throughout the course.
Composting in the cafeteria, salad bar
Due Dates and Deadlines
Advisory model met daily for 20 minutes as a check in with a teacher.