Your high school education will be shaped in large part around and by you – your interests and passions. Sure, there will be the basics that will support your learning – great writing and expression skills, strong problem solving and thinking skills.

But then there will be all sorts of your program that will be designed around your interests. For example, do you:

• Have a deep interest in engineering or architecture?
• Want to be a jazz musician or an actor, learn to animate comics, or be a digital videographer?
• Play high-level sports, or participate in Robotics, Model UN, or debate team?
• Maybe you are most interested in getting job experience, or serving the community?
• Or more likely, some combination of the above.

Few, if any, other high schools can support your individual goals and passions while providing you an exceptional education and ensuring that you are well prepared to excel at college and in the workplace.

Try us! In recent years, we have had one student studying anthropology and evolutionary biology, another studying demographic trends in Japan, yet another learning web-design while pursuing a passion for Nerf Blasters, and a several more building social networks, among a number of other business endeavors.

High Impact Learning – where what you’re studying has a real positive impact on you now and the future – and perhaps on many others too.

Yes, we have classrooms, but, at any given moment, you and your fellow students will just as likely be off learning somewhere in the community than sitting in a traditional classroom. Our micro-classes, which average 8-10 students or fewer students, provide the flexibility to get out of the classroom and into the streets, where often the most meaningful learning occurs. A good classroom is only the entryway to the world beyond our campus.

Our local community and beyond will be your classroom, your playing field, your lab, your stage, your studio, your workplace – the canvas and screen for your individual story and high school experience.

With micro classes of 7-9 students in most of your courses, you will have the opportunity to get to know your teachers really well – and they will know you well.

• Are you a quiet or shy student? There will always be room at the table for your voice.
• Have you ever had trouble starting complex assignments? Your teacher will understand that about you and will be there to help.
• Do you understand a book better when you listen to it rather than just read it? Better talking through ideas, or drawing them, rather than writing them down? Your teachers will recognize this too, and support you in getting better and better at organizing and expressing your ideas.

All Winchendon teachers are trained in understanding and supporting the many different ways that students learn best. It is a priority for all of us to help you reach your full potential by understanding how you will be most successful.

Are you ready to take college-level calculus, study Irish literature or Arabic, learn a new coding language, or tackle AP Physics or Gov? If there is a course that we don’t offer, we’ll help you find it. This may be through one of our partnerships or in conjunction with one of the area colleges and universities.

And, the opportunity for individualized learning isn’t just in the classroom. Your aspirations may be on the court or on the playing field, in the workplace, on the stage, or even in the “cloud”. Your advisor and others on your Winchendon team will make sure that you have the opportunity to pursue your aspirations in every arena through your personalized Winchendon program.

• Aiming to play NCAA Division I sports or higher?
• Aspire to be a professional dancer, actor or musician?
• Ready to be the next fast-track entrepreneur?

Winchendon recognizes the importance of integrating these personal interests into your education. Our program is structured to provide you with the flexibility and time to pursue your passions to the highest level. Whether it is creating the time to participate on a select team, practice with a top-level artist, or interning with a local start-up, or holding down a job, you will be supported in these pursuits – and it will be part of your Winchendon education.

You probably wouldn’t want to wear most of your parents’ clothes. You shouldn’t be studying the same things that they studied when they were in high school, either. Your world is different than theirs was 20+ years ago, so you shouldn’t be studying the same things that they studied when they were in high school either.

We are focused on helping you learn the knowledge, skills and strategies that will be most important for you over the next 10-15 years. Way too many educators are caught up in yesterday’s subjects or skills. Don’t let that happen to you!

Most students have to make a choice between going to a school with a big campus and lots of facilities and space in the country or going to school in the city.  At Winchendon, you get the best of both worlds. Live and learn in one of the world’s greatest cities, but enjoy the opportunity to head to the rural campus in MA for special programs, events and courses. Or, come take advantage of the facilities, space and beauty of the MA campus, knowing that when you need your urban fix, you can easily head to NYC or Boston for workshops, events and other programs. Some students may even choose to study on both campuses before the end of their high school careers. Access to multiple campuses will make your high school education more interesting.

One of the most important aspects of becoming a successful student is to always understand how you are doing – “Where I am doing well?” “What do I need to work on?” No one can expect you to do better if you don’t have a clear sense of how you are doing right now – not four weeks from now, or later at the end of the term.

Winch students regularly reflect on their recent work and consider their successes and struggles. Every week, your teachers will read, reflect, and respond to your ideas – so that you know whether you and your teachers are on the same page. This will make it easier for you to be more successful.

Why? Self-reflection is critical to success. It doesn’t matter whether you aspire to be an inventor, to serve your community, to be a star athlete, or to grace the stage – none of us can be our best if we don’t learn the art of self-reflection and processing feedback.