Weekly Reflection 1: High Tech High

This week we watched a short documentary film titled ‘Most Likely to Succeed’, which explored a progressive and innovative new way of teaching at a school called High Tech High. Located in San Diego, California, High Tech High is a school where there are no standardized tests, no traditional homework, and no worksheets. Teachers here are given the discretional freedom to teach what they want and how they want. The lack of worksheets and tests made some parents feel nervous – “how do they know what information my child is retaining?” one parent had asked. Which, rightly so. As a parent, you should be invested in your child’s education, and generally the goal is to ensure they are prepared to live an independent and fulfilling adult life. “I just want her to be happy” the same parent remarks. 

   One of my key takeaways from the film is that students learn best when they have choice, autonomy, and the ability to use their hands to create things. Instead of a test to pass the class, students were tasked with creating and designing a project that they would present to their community at the end of the school year. It was inspiring to see the amount of work the students put into their creations. One group of students designed an elaborate wheel and cog system showing the multiple interlaying reasons behind the rise and fall of a civilization. One part of the project was not working in the way the student intended it to, leading to many late nights. “It’s challenging not to step in and help them find the answer”, their social studies teacher remarked.