Is PBL For Me?

The Middle and High School PBL Programs at Southeastern Alternative School are designed to offer a hands-on, interactive, project-based learning approach to instruction and assessment, for students who struggle with traditional teaching methods, in all core academic courses required for graduation.  Class sizes are extremely small with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 1:10.  Overall enrollment is limited to ten (10) seats in the Middle School and sixty (60) seats in the High School. It is important to remember that our our approach to teaching and learning is significantly different -- but it is not easier nor watered down.  We adhere to the Virginia SOLs and FCPS curriculum just as the base schools.  However, the way we approach the curriculum makes school success more attainable for students who struggle with traditional teaching approaches. 

Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching and assessment method which engages students in active learning activities by identifying a real-world problem and developing its solution.  Students work with partners, in groups, or independently to demonstrate their skills in the areas of problem-solving, questioning, time-management, creativity, ingenuity, comprehension, and analysis.  Students demonstrate what they learn as they journey through the lesson or unit, not just at the end.

PBL methods actively engage students in the lesson / unit from beginning (entry events) to the end (presentation / projects).  Students who struggle with traditional teaching methods such as lengthy lectures, extensive note-taking, independently reading textbooks & answering questions, etc. typically benefit from PBL methods where students are expected to interact with each other, ask questions, seek solutions, and manipulate  information.  PBL provides real-world connections for students in a curriculum they frequently identify as boring or irrelevant to their own lives.  Research is clear; hands-on, interactive, real-world activities are crucial for students who require a different or "alternative" way to learn.

If you are wondering whether or not the PBL Programs at Southeastern Alternative School might be right for your child, review the questions listed below.  You will find a few helpful questions to consider when making your decision whether or not to investigate our programs further.