authentic, real world experiences with academic rigor. 

The flexible schedule affords Quest students the time to pursue passions and do in-depth project work. Students are therefore able to showcase and discuss these unique endeavours in their college applications as potential differentiators from other college applicants. Additionally, former students express how Quest helped them build professional networks, and develop the habits of mind and adulting skills that made transitioning to college life easier for them. 

A major highlight of the Quest program is the opportunity for an off-campus PARTNERSHIP PLACEMENT WITHin A Professional environment.

Each year students are placed in a wide range of professional fields from both the corporate and nonprofit sectors including: marketing, finance, environmental education, software development, video game design, music and film production, engineering and robotics, urban agriculture, and the performing arts. Placement is tailored to the career interests and aspirations of each individual student. Students also learn invaluable networking skills by creating business cards, resumes, and cover letters, and by interacting with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace, as well as in professional networks on LinkedIn. Former Quest students often report that the off-campus partnership professional learning experience was among their most meaningful and impactful high school experiences. Quest students work towards meeting learning targets that they identify with the Quest Advisors and become part of their semester grades. 

linkedin online networking 

Below are a sample of Quest students' LinkedIn posts in which they capture the day in the life of their professional learning by posting each week during their 11-week partnership about their work experience, as well as share articles related to their academic and professional interests to their those within their network. Students learn how to expand their professional network throughout the year through their partnership, their SDS mentors, and various events in which they have the chance to engage with a wide range of industry and organizational representatives. 

AN INSIDE GLIMPSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP EXPERIENCE

partnership student exhibits

At the conclusion of the 11-week Partnership Program, students work with their Partnership Quest Advisor to co-create a final assessment; students get choice in which standards their work will be assessed, since each partnership experience provided different opportunities to develop and practices new professional skill sets. Students present their professional learning experience to others, traditionally in an exhibition in the SAS Center of Innovation.

Note: due to covid social distancing restrictions, students from 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 cohorts have had to create digital capstone projects as an alternative to the Partnership Exhibition. We look forward to returning to the annual Partnership Exhibits when restrictions ease in the future. 

Professional interviews & Networking Events

Each year, our Quest students participate in professional interviews as well as attend networking events.

Quest is told repeatedly that we have very well-spoken students who have a variety of experiences to discuss. One interviewer said our students rivaled university graduates in the scope of their accomplishments. We're so proud of our students and love seeing how each graduating class takes the skills they learn from their time in Quest into the "real world".