Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical day look like? Very similar to a typical day at Del Oro. Students go to four classes. One of the big differences is that one of those classes is required to be an Advisory class.
What is Advisory? Advisory is the core organizational and relational structure of a Big Picture Learning school and it is often described as a second family. Students stay with an advisor and a group of fellow classmates for two years, building close personal relationships.
Do Confluence West students get to participate in Del Oro activities? Yes! First of all, we have the same brunch and lunch time as Del Oro, so our students can still enjoy time with friends on Del Oro's campus. Confluence West students can also participate in dances, rallies, sporting events, and class (graduation year classes) activities. Some of our Confluence West students love participating and others choose to not be involved at all on Del Oro's campus.
Can Confluence West students play sports for Del Oro teams? No. But we have our own league: the Alternative Athletic League.
What is interest-based learning? Big Picture Learning really focuses on putting students at the center of their education experience. Because of this, each student is given time and guidance to help develop their own projects built around their own interests and passions.
What types of internships are available? The advisors work to personalize the internship experience for each student. Prior to getting an internship, a student must spend time doing career exploration. Once a career or skill is identified, the advisor helps the student find a local business to partner with. See our internship page to see some of our current partners.
Do Confluence West students participate in Del Oro's graduation? Yes!
Do Confluence West students earn a high school diploma? Yes!
Can Confluence West students go onto college? Yes. Although they cannot go onto a four year school, they can go directly to a junior college program straight from graduation.
What is a Big Picture Learning School? Here are the 10 distinguishers of a Big Picture Learning School?
One Student at a Time: The entire learning experience is personalized to each student’s interests, talents and needs. Personalization expands beyond mere academic work and involves looking at each student holistically.
Advisory Structure: Question # 2 above
Learning Through Interests and Internships: Real world learning is best accomplished in the real world. Big Picture students intern–often twice a week for an entire school day–with experts in their field of interest, completing authentic projects and gaining experience and exposure to how their interests intersect with the real world.
Parent and Family Involvement: Parents are welcome and valued members of the school community and play a proactive role in their children’s learning, collaborating in the planning and assessment of student work.
School Culture: In Big Picture schools, there is palpable trust, respect and equality between and among students and adults. Students take leadership roles in the school, and teamwork defines the adult culture. Student voice is valued in the school decision making process.
Authentic Assessment: Students are assessed not by tests, but by public displays of learning that track growth and progress in the student’s area of interest. Assessment criteria are individualized to the student and the real world standards of a project. Students present two exhibitions each year and discuss their learning growth with staff, family members, peers, community members, and mentors.
School Organization: Schools are organized around a culture of collaboration and communication. They maintain flexibility with time and space, modifying the use of buildings, schedules, bells, and calendars. There is an interdependence between school and community.
Leadership: Leadership is shared and spread between a dedicated, responsible team of advisors and other staff and students. The community functions as a democracy. A pervasive sense of shared ownership is meant to drive a positive culture dedicated to ongoing improvement.
Post-Secondary Planning: Students develop plans that contribute to their future success–be it through college, trades, schools, travel, the military, or the workforce
Professional Development: Advisors and support staff continually meet together and with other Big Picture Learning Schools to help continue our learning. A Big Picture School is a community of lifelong learners who embrace continuous improvement.