Learning looks different here

Groups of students are gathered in different areas around the room: some working on computers, partners huddled around projects at circular tables, a couple students heading down the hall to the Gizmo science lab, a few walking back from the wood and metal shop, and a group of students is offsite working at the school garden.

Compost sits in buckets by the front door, student photography decorates the walls, fluorescent lamps shine on the growing seeds for this year’s garden, and books spill over the shelves. Rows of desks with apathetic students are absent.

A teacher lecturing at the whiteboard is absent. What is present? Community and collaborative learning. A small, unique, and curious group of students and staff is thriving in community and learning with the guidance of a seldom used approach in secondary schools today: Project and Service-based Learning.

Brian Goodwin, the school founder, principal, and teacher, talks about why he feels so strongly about this school.

"I thought, what keeps us, in this town? Or in America? What is our social fabric: the warp and the weft that keep us together? If there’s a huge crisis, people will help each other out, but shy of a huge crisis, do we really know each other? Do we really help each other? How can I make that better? And I thought, I’m going to use these kids to be the warp and the weft to weave in a stronger and a healthier community.

“And by teaching them to do that, by teaching them part of that process, if I can infect them with that way of thinking, and they can go out in the world, and do that wherever they might end up. They’re going to be happier and healthier, and the communities where they reside, are going to be enriched."

The school day at Wahtonka starts with all 50 students meeting in a circle. Goodwin and Seth Hedberg, the school’s only teachers, check in and go over the day’s schedule and announcements with students.

Brian reminds students of their upcoming project deadlines and asks for a group of volunteers to help with the Saturday Farmers’ Market.

Meanwhile, a 1-year-old is crawling on the floor. Brian stops, laughs, addresses the baby and her mother with a loving comment.

Everyone smiles, and then school business continues. It feels like a big family, but with intentional, creative, and collaborative learning occurring.

Students then break apart to begin their day’s work. Each student is required to complete a project on a monthly basis.

These projects must be cross-curricular in scope including research, writing, service, and presentation components.

One hundred percent of students surveyed agree that this unique approach to learning is preferable and more effective than more traditional lecture-based methods.

When asked why she liked the school, a student wrote, "I would say that the opportunities [are why I’m happier here]: I think the main component about this school is meeting new people and discovering what you can do with the people out in the community.”

One hundred percent of students surveyed also agree that the work they do is meaningful and is preparing them for a successful future.

One student wrote, “Ever since I started here, I've done really well. And now I'm going to graduate early."

Another student said, “Here it feels like your work means something.” And a different student reflected, “It prepares me for the real world more than a normal high school.”

The Wahtonka staff’s unrelenting belief and love for their students help create a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning community.

"If you look at our clientele here, we brought about 50 of these kids back in the district.” Seth elaborated, “A lot of these kids who are here right now, going to school in the summer, are kids that had dropped out or were completely disenfranchised. If only every person had a shot like this to make it happen.

“These minds are so brilliant, and they were not in the district. They may never have had an opportunity to reach or push for something greater. And now we see them developing into these amazing young people.

“We graduated seven last year: one is already a business owner, and one is on her way to establishing a business. They’re coming out of here ambitious and ready to take on the world!

“And I think that that’s something unique that comes from this school and from any school that implements similar practices.

“These are not kids who are walking out the door not knowing, they are doers."

Wahtonka Community School is full of doers. They are an integral part of the warp and weft of our diverse community here in The Dalles.

— Mairéad Beane Kelly is a teacher with North Wasco County School District 21