The LIFE School
Learning Interdependently From Experience

 

What kinds of students come to LIFE School and why do they apply?

There are lots of reasons why students apply to the LIFE School, and each applicant is unique.

 

Some students are attracted by the unique scheduling, which allows them to organize their academic lives, to focus on fewer subjects at a time, and thus become more successful students.

 

Others are looking for community, a welcoming and intimate school family.

 

A third group is seeking a different way to learn, for more project-based assignments and hands-on opportunities, like internships. They want something different than the typical junior or senior year program.

 

Some students seek us out because they want a school experience that emphasizes cooperation instead of competition.

 

It is our goal as staff members to create a diverse student population that includes lots of different students who come here for different reasons and bring different qualities to our community.

 

Can students take courses on the main campus while in LIFE School?

Yes. In fact, students must fulfill math, health, and foreign language requirements on the main campus, in addition to any fine or performing arts classes or other electives or AP courses they might want to pursue.

 

Are there any restrictions about taking courses on the main campus?

Yes. We expect a certain degree of commitment from students who elect to join our program. We encourage kids in LIFE to take as

many academics with us as possible; juniors must take Environmental Science, American Lit 1 and US History Government in LIFE              School (AHAP may be taken as a main campus elective in addition to US History).  They may also take our math offering, Computational 

Thinking and Design (instead of, or in addition to, a traditional math course on the main campus).

 

Seniors must take one full credit of English and one full credit of Social Studies with us (half of which will be fulfilled by our  

mandatory Writing Communications and Economics courses).

 

Do LIFE students get to interact with their friends on the main campus?

Yes. Students still eat in the cafeteria, participate in clubs or sports, take electives on the main campus, and bump into old friends on

the quad during free periods.

 

If I get in, how long is the commitment?

We ask students to commit for one full year. Our schedule, which allows students to complete a year’s work in a

semester, does not coordinate with parallel courses on the main campus. For example, if a student took English and history in the fall,

then decided to leave LIFE School in January, there would be no way to earn a full credit in math  

and science for that year.

 

It is part of our practice of thoughtful decision-making that juniors consider their goals for senior year in a meeting 

with their parents and LIFE staff before declaring whether they will stay in LIFE or return to the main campus.

 

Is LIFE School a part of Greeley?

Absolutely! Our students and seniors have all the privileges and opportunities that other Greeley students have. Peer leaders,

class officers, science researchers, members of various plays, as well as of band, chorus and orchestra, and members

of the swim, soccer, cheerleading, football, ski, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, bowling, wrestling, and basketball teams

have all been members of our community. We also welcome students who choose not to take part in clubs and sports.

 

How are special education services handled in LIFE School?

While we are not a special education program, we do have students who receive services through an academic clinic.

All test accommodations are honored. Many of our students, including those with learning issues, benefit from the  

block scheduling, the smaller class sizes, and the close relationships between teachers and students.

 

What kind of transcript do LIFE students have?

LIFE students fulfill all state requirements for graduation; some elect to take AP courses on the main campus. They retain their school counselor, need the standard number of credits for graduation, and earn a New York State Regents diploma through Horace Greeley High School.

 

To what colleges & universities have LIFE seniors been accepted?

Here is a partial list of schools which LIFE graduates have attended:

 

Berklee School of Music, Colorado College, Columbia University, Culinary Institute of America, Earlham College, Emerson College, Eugene Lang College, Franklin & Marshall College, George Washington University, Harvard University, Indiana University, Manhattan College, New York University, Northern Arizona University, Princeton University, Skidmore College, SUNY Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, ESF, Delhi,  and Purchase, Syracuse University, Quinnipiac University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Union

College, University of Kansas, University of Miami, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, University of

Redlands, University of St. Andrews, University of Vermont, Wheaton College, Wingate University.

 

How does the internship program work?

Juniors are released from their afternoon classes twice a week for a 10 week period.

 

Senior afternoon classes will end 3rd quarter. They are free to intern five days a week during 4th quarter.

 

 

 

To learn more about the LIFE School, feel free to email Steve Walker (stwalker@ccsd.ws).