What is EL?

What exactly is "EL"?

Shorewood is considered an EL (Expeditionary Learning) district with both of its elementary schools following this model of educational practices. The decision for making this shift from previous instructional philosophies was not due to poor test scores or a drastic need for reform. Truthfully, Shorewood has had a long history of outstanding achievement and the production of incredible student work in many forms.

Instead we felt that, based upon the direction we were wanting to go with educating our young minds, EL was a natural fit for us in that it encompassed everything we believe about good teaching and placed it in a framework where all the pieces work together seamlessly. Consider this definition from Wikipedia:

"EL Schools are models of comprehensive school reform based on the educational ideas of German educator Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound. There are more than 150 Expeditionary Learning Schools in 30 US states and the District of Columbia. They are exemplified by project-based learning expeditions, where students engage in interdisciplinary, in-depth study of compelling topics, in groups and in their community, with assessment coming through cumulative products, public presentations, and portfolios. According to the ELS Web site students undertake tasks requiring perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline, and significant achievement."

Read more about Kurt Hahn (American Radio Works article)