Important Reminders
- Winter Term Starts – Jan. 6th
- Parents’ Night – Jan. 12th at 7pm Central
THE PEARL
A Remote Democratic High School
The Pearl Remote Democratic High School is a personally relevant and student-centered educational experience. Students benefit from being part of a dynamic international learning community while being supported by mentors, educators, and professionals. Our students are prepared for whatever life they choose.
Why The Pearl?
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, too many youths were not served well within the current educational system, which often marginalizes students because of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity, learning styles, or their unwillingness to conform (often a trait of gifted youth). Frequently these young people are pushed out of the school system – negatively impacting their educational attainment, identities, and long-term quality of life.
The Pearl offers a different framework for approaching education, one which fosters community and embraces inclusion. At The Pearl, students share control of their learning environment. They have a say in the rules, what is studied, and how learning takes place. This gives them a stake in their immediate classes—and often translates to them being more engaged in their communities. Students have an equitable opportunity for participation and learn to value and validate each other’s voices, creating a dynamic learning environment that builds a sense of community and brings out students’ cooperative nature.
Students become excited about learning; and they develop critical thinking skills, gain a sense of autonomy, and become self-managed, and independent learners. Instead of feeling like school is drudgery, learners report having favorable views of education. Teachers are active partners with students empowering them to follow their interests and discover their potential. The ultimate “test of a democratic education is the difference it makes in the lives of students and the community to which they belong” (Pearl & Knight, 1999).
Announcements

Youth Want a Democratic Education
“We need to rebuild our schools from the ground up with the democratic classroom in mind. This would increase the positive outcomes of education for

Meet The Pearl Youth Logo Contest Winner!
As a democratic school we include youth in decision making and all important aspects of the school. Therefore, we feel it is important that our

Please Support The Pearl Scholarship Fund
Last week we received a scholarship request from a high school freshman. I want to share a little of her story with you, so you

Learn About Courses Being Offered During Winter Term
Winter Term Begins January 6, 2021 Teens can take all of our classes, a few, or just one. We partner with your family to create

Teaching to the Test Harms Students
Standardized tests are only useful for measuring standardized minds. However, humans are not standardized, nor do we want them to be. If you think about it,

The Talents of All Students Must Be Nurtured in Schools
The COVID-19 pandemic and schools being closed have made many parents acknowledge that the mainstream educational system wasn’t serving their kids appropriately. I keep hearing from