High School
Attending High School at TFA
Each morning, the students check in with their advisory teacher at 8 AM, whom they stay with for 9-11th grade. This allows the student to be known well by one adult and is the channel by which all the other teachers communicate to the family. This is a great partnership with a caring adult who supports the goals and needs of the student. In 12th grade the student begins Senior Institute with a senior advisor who guides them through needed actions for college and career preparedness.
Tai Chi, then Bible Study follows the math class in our black box theater. Different Bible study leaders stress the importance of morals and values to guide us in our daily lives. Tai-Chi is our way of preparing the body and mind for the rest of the day.
On Monday mornings critical time is available and mandatory for all. Unlike Tuesday through Friday class times, students stay in Advisory. This is a time for team building, conflict resolution, community work, conferencing, goal setting, self-concept development, fieldwork, games, and portfolio progress and completion. This is the time to do additional conferencing to develop the reflections that can be worked on at home for the quarterly reflection deadlines.
The remainder of the week, a consistent schedule is made for each student with a daily math period, Tai-Chi, and Bible Study, followed by a triple class period for language arts, social studies, and science in the form of Project Inquiry based Learning (PIBL) Subject matter and skills are learned through direct instruction, followed by a period of independent research and collaboration. This results in a project that is presented when complete to classmates, other students, and later to a panel of school and community members.
Project Inquiry Based Learning is planned and practiced to help students successfully navigate the process to use to becoming life-long learners and experience post graduate success in college, career and life. PIBL builds teamwork, creative problem solving, research skills, subject knowledge, organization, presentation skills, and the ability to respond to unexpected events. Centers and warm-ups are used for independent student work, practice of skills, and building of independence and cooperation. Students know what “I Cans”, (standards) they are working on, and can see the results of their work, effort and progress
For additional, specific needs, students may be placed into Intensives, a part of our daily offering to ensure all students’ individual needs are met to receive help in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
High School students choose their electives. Options include: visual arts, performing arts, foreign language, advanced math, writing, speech and debate, environmental science, entrepreneur classes, various forms of farming, S.T.E.A.M. based options, and sports/PE.
The opportunity to achieve college credit is also available through our dual enrollment contract with Florida State College at Jacksonville. Detailed elective titles are discussed under the electives tab on the TFA website.
Following Educational Progress
Students have school-wide procedures that are followed for all activities and transitions such as entering the classroom, cleaning up, dismissal, going to the restroom, and so on. Each class has these procedures posted, explained, and practiced. The students know and understand their workplace standards and the expectations connected to them. These too are in the student planner, posted and reviewed for progress. All students are required to keep a planner and share it with their parents. Daily homework of reading for 30 minutes and keeping a reading log is required.
Portfolios provide the evidence of cumulative progress. The portfolio is developed throughout the year. Each marking period, reflections are required for evidence of improvement and progress. This is kept in a portfolio. It includes student work, artifacts and developed reflections that demonstrate the essential skills, “I Cans”, and senior expectations that have been experienced. The student shares the portfolio and report card progress with parents during Student Led Conferences which occur every marking period.
Keep Connected
Each teacher has a Plus Portals account, which is for online communication with families. Parents are expected to get their access code to participate in Plus Portals either from their child’s teacher or from someone in the main office. Updates and news can also be found in this portal and on the school website.
Regular e-blasts and texts send reminders -Performances, festivals, exhibitions, and picnics are part of our tradition. The dates are in the school planner, in Plus Portals, and on the school web site. These activities are an integral part of the education at TFA, and parents are invited – especially during these events – to participate fully in the students’ learning experiences.