WISE is a program open to all IHS seniors. Students who enroll in the program may take the course for either honors or regents credit. WISE students earn academic credit upon completion of their projects. For the first semester, WISE meets daily and is structured much like other senior English classes at IHS. In the second semester, students will complete their English 12 requirement working in the community with experts in their fields of interest. The class meets once a week to share experiences and hear from guest speakers.
Since the spring of 1995, a task force of teachers, students and parents has been designing and refining the program, based on a model developed at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, NY in the '70s. Now WISE programs are in place in more than 80 high schools, from New York to California, Massachusetts to Florida.
Student projects will explore career, academic or avocational interests. Students will work with knowledgeable people in the greater Ithaca community, many of whom were identified and contacted by the WISE Task Force, a group of parents, teachers, students and interested community members.
What does a WISE project entail?
Hands-on experience - such as interning, shadowing, building, writing, painting, creating, doing something in a field of interest.
Research - such as reading books or magazines, watching movies or videos, visiting museums, interviewing people, exploring the internet, conducting surveys, and compiling an annotated bibliography.
Journal - a regular recording of hands-on project work and reflection on the learning process.
Weekly mentor meetings - The mentor's job is to help student's work through problems and challenges, to monitor progress, to help the student reflect on her experience. The mentor is a key member of the evaluation committee at the end of the semester and writes the final evaluation of the project.
Time commitment - Students are expected to spend at least 8 hours a week on their project. This includes everything listed above.
Presentation/evaluation - There will be a final presentation, including a narrative essay, by each student to an evaluation committee consisting of two students from the WISE Program, a community member, the student's mentor, and a WISE teacher.
Students, parents, or other community members who would like to know more about the program can contact Alexis Lord, IHS WISE Coordinator. The English Department phone number is 274-2187, and we can also be reached via e-mail at: