Atwater students are increasing the authenticity of their high-quality products - their work shines with authentic, personal voice and ideas.
Over the course of our partnership with EL, Atwater has held one or two HQWP each year. During this time together, staff have analyzed student work for complexity, authenticity, and craftsmanship. Implementation of critique protocol, along with layers of rubrics and self-reflection opportunities, have supported student progress in creating meaningful, beautiful products over the years. When Atwater first started the HQWP, the work seemed to be more for the sake of creating beautiful work, and it often lacked authentic voice and purpose. After several years of HQWP reflections, teachers began to design products more around student opportunities to choose how/what to share with a real world audience. This change empowered students to embrace the challenge of owning product content and development to create a high quality piece of work that reflects their own learning and voice.
Due to COVID closures, we were unable to complete HQW protocol in the Spring of 2020. Student work samples from this school year include:
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
The Atwater Ambassadors program, led by our Dean of Students, is committed to creating more student voice and leadership in Atwater School. The meetings are run by students, who share ownership. Ambassadors give tours, work with teachers on solving building challenges, and conduct morning announcements. During emergency virtual learning and continuing during the 2020-2021 school year, the Ambassadors created video announcements for all students to enjoy.