Project-Based Learning (PBL)
At it's core, Lynnhaven educates students based on John Dewey's progressive education philosophy by igniting a lifelong passion for learning and making school more interesting and meaningful by providing students with opportunities to learn through real experiences in the world and nourishing students’ abilities to communicate, participate and collaborate in a diverse community of learners with each other and their teachers.
If we want our children to change the world, we need to give them the tools to do it! PBL is a progressive instructional approach that places students at the center of their learning experience. It involves tackling real-world questions or challenges that are connected to the curriculum. Gone are the days of old-school projects at the end of a unit! In PBL, the project drives the learning from the very beginning. Its aim is to actively involve students in thought-provoking questions or challenges that demand focused attention and the application of intricate problem-solving abilities.
Our PBL environment not only emphasizes subject-specific skills but also cultivates learners' ability to solve problems by integrating cross-curricular lessons. For example, tackling a complex issue like the Richmond Housing Crisis necessitates an understanding of its historical and sociological roots, alongside mathematical and scientific knowledge for developing viable solutions. Effective problem-solving may also involve persuasive writing and public speaking skills to garner support, or technical expertise like computer programming and product engineering for technological solutions. By providing these opportunities, Lynnhaven School equips learners with the critical problem-solving skills needed to thrive.
Check out these two examples of our Active Physics students putting content into real-world projects!
If we want our children to change the world, we need to give them the tools to do it! PBL is a progressive instructional approach that places students at the center of their learning experience. It involves tackling real-world questions or challenges that are connected to the curriculum. Gone are the days of old-school projects at the end of a unit! In PBL, the project drives the learning from the very beginning. Its aim is to actively involve students in thought-provoking questions or challenges that demand focused attention and the application of intricate problem-solving abilities.
Our PBL environment not only emphasizes subject-specific skills but also cultivates learners' ability to solve problems by integrating cross-curricular lessons. For example, tackling a complex issue like the Richmond Housing Crisis necessitates an understanding of its historical and sociological roots, alongside mathematical and scientific knowledge for developing viable solutions. Effective problem-solving may also involve persuasive writing and public speaking skills to garner support, or technical expertise like computer programming and product engineering for technological solutions. By providing these opportunities, Lynnhaven School equips learners with the critical problem-solving skills needed to thrive.
Check out these two examples of our Active Physics students putting content into real-world projects!
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Lynnhaven School’s project-based learning is based on the Buck Institute for Education’s “High Quality PBL Framework.” To be considered high quality, PBL must
The Buck Institute has been a leader in rigorous educational models for over 35 years. You can learn more about the framework here.
- Be intellectually challenging
- Be authentic
- Be collaborative
- Include project management
- Produce a public product
- Include reflection
The Buck Institute has been a leader in rigorous educational models for over 35 years. You can learn more about the framework here.
Our Schedule
A Lynnhaven schedule is strategically designed to resemble a college schedule. Students take three - four core courses per semester. Friday afternoons are reserved for community service, joyful experiences, studying, and rest. This provides students with ample time to prepare while also providing a unique focus on student wellness and workload balance. We want the rigor of a Lynnhaven education to be focused on complexity of thought not the mountain of tasks that increase stress, decrease joy, and create a learning environment that is not conducive for deep learning.
Our Curriculum
Education at Lynnhaven is not about a classroom and four walls. Our project-based curriculum is based on the latest learning science and interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for college, careers and life. Each project is informed by the expertise of our faculty and designed to be engaging, authentic and relevant to today’s world.
There are three (3) components to the Lynnhaven curriculum:
Active Learning
Students learn best when they are actively involved through researching, investigating, discussing, creating, solving problems, defending their beliefs, and more. In our agile classrooms, students take responsibility for their own learning. They engage with problems, tools, and ideas, as well as peers and teachers. To support this, teachers create and use curricula that include ample opportunities to learn actively and work on meaningful projects, provide options that let students make choices, and employ flexible pacing strategies.
Mastery Journey
At Lynnhaven, skills development is woven into all aspects of the learning experience. At other schools, students focus primarily on what they need to know (or memorize) to demonstrate learning on tests. At Lynnhaven, students gain academic knowledge through their work to develop skills. Our academic calendar is divided into two (2) semesters, during which students take a selection of courses to explore specific topics and skills. Instead of just lectures and textbooks, learning may involve Socratic discussions, real-world projects, labs or other active learning formats.
Essential Experiences
Lynnhaven's essential experiences include, service, field trips, and our expeditionary programs are invaluable and immeasurable hands-on opportunities to develop qualities which people should progress toward throughout life.
Lynnhaven students exceed the state requirements for an advanced diploma by taking 28 credits throughout high school, in addition to 100 hour requirement of service in order to graduate.
All students experience the core curriculum at Lynnhaven School, but electives allow students to tailor their learning experience toward their interests.
Liberal Arts CORE
To learn more about the scope and sequence of a student's academic journey click here.
There are three (3) components to the Lynnhaven curriculum:
Active Learning
Students learn best when they are actively involved through researching, investigating, discussing, creating, solving problems, defending their beliefs, and more. In our agile classrooms, students take responsibility for their own learning. They engage with problems, tools, and ideas, as well as peers and teachers. To support this, teachers create and use curricula that include ample opportunities to learn actively and work on meaningful projects, provide options that let students make choices, and employ flexible pacing strategies.
Mastery Journey
At Lynnhaven, skills development is woven into all aspects of the learning experience. At other schools, students focus primarily on what they need to know (or memorize) to demonstrate learning on tests. At Lynnhaven, students gain academic knowledge through their work to develop skills. Our academic calendar is divided into two (2) semesters, during which students take a selection of courses to explore specific topics and skills. Instead of just lectures and textbooks, learning may involve Socratic discussions, real-world projects, labs or other active learning formats.
Essential Experiences
Lynnhaven's essential experiences include, service, field trips, and our expeditionary programs are invaluable and immeasurable hands-on opportunities to develop qualities which people should progress toward throughout life.
Lynnhaven students exceed the state requirements for an advanced diploma by taking 28 credits throughout high school, in addition to 100 hour requirement of service in order to graduate.
All students experience the core curriculum at Lynnhaven School, but electives allow students to tailor their learning experience toward their interests.
Liberal Arts CORE
- English (4 Credits)
- Math (4 Credits)
- Science (4 Credits)
- Social Science (4 Credits)
- Modern World Language (2 Credits)
- Personal Finance (1 credit)
- Drivers Education (.5 credits)
- Health & Wellness (.5 credits)
- Seminar (4 Credits)
To learn more about the scope and sequence of a student's academic journey click here.
Choosing a Concentration
At Lynnhaven School, students have the opportunity to select a concentration through their electives, allowing them to explore areas of interest and gain specialized knowledge. Each concentration is recognized with a distinctive cord worn at graduation, symbolizing the student’s focus during their academic journey.
- Fine Arts (Pink Cord)
- STEM (Silver Cord)
- Global Studies (Red Cord)
- General (Green Cord)
Mastery Grading
The purpose of mastery grading is to provide a clearer picture of a student's learning progress. In an ever-evolving world and economy, it is crucial for individuals to have continuous access to opportunities for enhancing and adapting their skills. Traditional grading and transcripts provide limited insight into a student's actual knowledge and capabilities. Instead of a traditional points-based system where the outcome is a single letter grade, a mastery grading approach gives a detailed view of a students strengths and weaknesses. Mastery grading provides actionable insights for continuous improvement.
Assessments
Students have many opportunities to demonstrate their mastery of a topic or skill, and they always have the chance to improve. Lynnhaven does not utilize Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing, but students do take the SAT & ACT suite of assessments.
9th Grade: PreACT 9 (FALL)
10th Grade: Pre-ACT (FALL)
11th Grade: PSAT-NMSQT (FALL) & ACT (SPRING)
12th Grade: ACT and/or SAT (FALL)
9th Grade: PreACT 9 (FALL)
10th Grade: Pre-ACT (FALL)
11th Grade: PSAT-NMSQT (FALL) & ACT (SPRING)
12th Grade: ACT and/or SAT (FALL)
Reporting
Parents/Guardians and students have access to all grades, work, feedback, and mastery assessment at all times through our learning management system. Report Cards are issued 2 times a year. Transcripts are updated annually at the end of the school year, unless otherwise needed.
Mastery Learning Record (MLR)
Lynnhaven utilizes a combination of a traditional transcript and a Mastery Learning Record (MLR), which aims to provide a more comprehensive and detailed picture of a student's academic and personal achievements than traditional transcripts alone.
Our Mastery Learning Record (MLR), beginning for the class of 2025, includes a combination of traditional academic grades as well as more detailed assessments of a student's strengths, interests, and accomplishments. It also allows students to highlight extracurriculars and awards. In many ways, the MLR is an academic resume!
Our Mastery Learning Record (MLR), beginning for the class of 2025, includes a combination of traditional academic grades as well as more detailed assessments of a student's strengths, interests, and accomplishments. It also allows students to highlight extracurriculars and awards. In many ways, the MLR is an academic resume!
Common Questions
Q: Do colleges look at an MLR?
A: YES! Colleges and universities look for ways to find good fits for their incoming cohort. The additional information in a Mastery Learning Record highlights gifts, talents, and interests of students beyond just grades and credits on their traditional transcript.
Q: My student is going to get grades in college, will they be ready?
A: YES! A mastery environment isn't a lack of grades or assessment. It is a practice on constant targeted growth. Students who have gone through a mastery environment have a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They also have practiced communication with their teachers throughout the learning process so that asking for help and for targeted feedback during a professors office hours becomes second nature.
A: YES! Colleges and universities look for ways to find good fits for their incoming cohort. The additional information in a Mastery Learning Record highlights gifts, talents, and interests of students beyond just grades and credits on their traditional transcript.
Q: My student is going to get grades in college, will they be ready?
A: YES! A mastery environment isn't a lack of grades or assessment. It is a practice on constant targeted growth. Students who have gone through a mastery environment have a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They also have practiced communication with their teachers throughout the learning process so that asking for help and for targeted feedback during a professors office hours becomes second nature.
