Learning Plans
The Pearl: A Remote Democratic High School welcomed its first students in September 2020. We have grown steadily & look forward to welcoming more students in the Fall of 2025.
Our students create their personal educational plans with the support of the director, their teachers, and in partnership with their families. Students are in charge of their educational plan, and teachers are responsible for linking their content areas to the students’ plan and differentiating instruction to make coursework relevant and accessible to all. Students take courses with a multi-age cohort. They can choose to attend The Pearl full-time or supplement their other education.
Class size is limited to 10 students to ensure individual learning needs are met.
Middle- and high-school-age young people with English-language proficiency from anywhere in the world are welcome.
Creative Term Project at The Pearl - Explore Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is a key element of The Pearl. Often, projects are multi-disciplinary, and teachers from different subject areas support the project’s development and implementation.
The Creative Term Project at The Pearl is a curiosity-driven initiative where each student selects a project based on their interests, passions, and questions for that term. Students may present their projects at our Student Showcase at the end of each term or during class. A mentor teacher collaborates with the student, providing support and helping to monitor the project timeline. Students are expected to work on their projects each week of the term, especially if they are tracking credits for graduation (see above).
Multidisciplinary Project-Based Learning
Curiosity is the spark that ignites learning! When students are curious, they become more motivated, engaged, and creative. As they complete their projects, they gain expertise in their chosen topics, which is an empowering experience. PBL fosters deeper learning, develops 21st-century skills, and promotes real-world application by challenging students to collaboratively solve complex, multidisciplinary problems.
Whether you join The Pearl knowing what you want to study or have absolutely no idea, we will work with you to create an educational program that works for you. Your teen years are the perfect time to explore and try different things out to help you figure out what you love. Your educational plan is a living document and can change as you do! As you learn about new things, it is completely normal (and desirable) for your interests and goals to change!
At The Pearl, you control your education plan, and our role is to support you! Whether you are transferring from another school or have already started homeschooling for high school, we will help you plan an educational experience tailored to you.
Schedule a meeting with Robin Harwick, PhD, to discuss your educational hopes, goals, and dreams and learn how The Pearl can support you in following (or defining) your path.