An Inclusive Community
Re-Awakening a Love of Learning
Our community is built by students with a wide variety of interests who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Whatever brought them to September School, our faculty and staff get to know each student, learning their talents, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. As a community, we help teens develop the skills to succeed both academically and in life.
Who Are September School Students?
We each have a unique learning style. When students don’t thrive in typical schools, they may wonder “What’s wrong with me?” At September School, we say, emphatically, “It’s not you, it’s the learning environment.”
You might be academically gifted, but you’re not challenged or interested. Or maybe the pressure of grades and tests has crushed your curiosity. At September School, you have the opportunity to explore your interests deeply through independent study, design your own educational path, and learn how to approach learning with ease instead of stress.
Perhaps you’re a student with ADHD, and sitting in a classroom all day is leading to disengagement and frustration. At September School you can take a walk, make a cup of tea, work in the Common Room with headphones on, or find a creative way to show what you know.
Perhaps you experience anxiety or depression, and going to school can sometimes feel overwhelming. In our supportive community, we have lots of ways to help you get through the day and keep learning as you go. Counselors are here to provide on-the-spot support and also teach self-regulation skills and lead group classes. Our teachers are knowledgeable about trauma-informed care and help students stay connected with classes and community.
If you’re student in the LGBTQ+ community and you don’t feel safe or seen, September School welcomes you. Staff and students introduce themselves with names and pronouns. Your school email is your preferred name. You will see yourself in our staff and your coursework, in your peers and our prom planning. We celebrate everyone’s story and identity.
Are you a student who thinks school is boring or BS? We get it. We turn “Why am I learning this?” into “What do you want to learn?” every day. Teens are wired to learn. And when provided with engagement, relevance, and choice, you will.
Building Community
Inclusion doesn’t just happen because everyone is in the room. We structure our program so a diverse group of students experience being safe, seen, and celebrated. From universal academic accommodations to curriculum that centers voices from the margins, we work to include everyone.
We create community at September School with:
- Community class: Once a week, we all meet together for our Community class, when we play, talk, reconnect, share school news, work through conflict, and plan for events.
- Inclusive curriculum: With a changing variety of courses, students see themselves reflected in the coursework and learn academic skills while gaining awareness of the experiences of others.
- Block schedules: Students have four 80-minute classes per day, so there’s plenty of time to learn new material, practice skills, collaborate, go on a “walk and talk,” and complete work. Our no-homework policy supports students achieving school/life balance and frees up more family time.
- Special speakers and visiting artists: We work to bring new perspectives into school by inviting professionals in the community to share their knowledge with students.
- Trips: We travel together several times a year. From camping in the fall to visiting YMCA of the Rockies in the Winter, we spend time together outside the classroom to build our sense of community. In the spring we take students farther afield to explore with a new lens and deeper insight.
- Celebrations: From our Halloween Party to Spirit Week, the Holiday gift exchange to ice cream socials, we have fun together!
- Stop and talk: Sometimes, when events happen in our world, we just stop school, circle up, and process it together.
Getting to Know Us
When kids come to tour or have a shadow day, they often remark on how it feels to be at September School. Students are relaxed and welcoming. Teachers are genuinely happy to meet you. Classes are engaging and fun. How do we create a learning environment so special you can sense it as soon as you walk through our doors?
Come experience September School for yourself.
During a shadow day, you can learn more about our academic programs, community, and how our students thrive. See how September School works for our students—and how you can fit into our community too.
