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Philosophy

The Metro Habits

All members of the Metro community seek to improve their practice of the Metro Habits of Heart and Mind:

1. Effective Communicator
2. Inquiring Learner
3. Active and Responsible Decision Maker
4. Effective Collaborator
5. Critical Thinker
6. Engaged Learner

Educational Philosophy

Metro is guided by the Ten Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools. These 10 principles are inspiring high school redesign across the nation. The Ten Common Principles are:

1. The school’s central intellectual purpose is helping students to use their minds well.
2. An essential body of knowledge, skills and dispositions will be identified for student mastery.
3. The school’s goals apply to all students.
4. The school will be highly personalized.
5. A governing practical metaphor will be “student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach."
6. Teaching and learning will be documented by student performance on real tasks.
7. The tone of the school will be one of trust and decency.
8. The principal and teachers will act as generalists first and specialists second.
9. Resources will be modest and therefore positioned toward teaching and learning.
10. The school will emphasize democratic, fair and equitable practices.

The curricular approach to instruction has a dual focus: literacy (math and reading) and real world investigation (social science, life science, and environmental science). To attain this focus, Metro has developed and implemented an integrated math and science curriculum where mathematics becomes a component of the “language” of science. This approach emphasizes the importance of a fluent knowledge of mathematical and scientific process, application through more in-depth science exploration, elements and aspects of design, and innovation. As a component of the “language” of science, students must demonstrate their ability to communicate numerically, graphically, algebraically, verbally, and in writing their understanding and evaluation of empirical evidence in all that they do.

Metro has a holistic approach to educating the students—focusing on cognitive, social, emotional and physical development through experiential learning, service learning and family and community support. Each family is an integral component of Metro's decision-making process. We call this process, STEMocracy. Using tools like our Town Hall Meetings, policy is established from the governed through responsible citizenry.

Curricular Approach and Philosophy

Metro — A Unique Philosophy and Opportunity

• Students participate in an integrated curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity and communication.
• Academics emphasize how math, science and technology shape our world.
• Students learn in a community that honors democracy, diversity and ethical leadership.
• Faculty and mentors focus on the talents of the whole student.
• Faculty and students work on projects that benefit the greater community.
• The school is a focal point of professional development, educational research and innovation.