Our Approach
The Three Ps. Eight Great Years believes every student deserves a path, a process, and a person. The three "P" formula is simple but powerful, and surprisingly absent in our current educational landscape.
The Path
This is a student's unique journey. They follow an arc from exploration to development to competency, from curiosity to interest to passion, weaving together coursework, enrichments and relationships. A student’s developmental path is not limited to a particular place or program. It leads both in and out of school and is guided by parents, teachers, and other mentors. It requires a new mindset where education is no longer just “going to school” but is an intentional, self-directed, and truly developmental experience.
The Process
This is the method for navigating the path that includes specific prompts, steps and stages, as well as tools and resources. The "process" that most schools and parents currently follow is just to put kids in classes, hope they find their way to meaningful extra-curriculars, sprinkle in a few inconsistent advisories and then start talking ( and stressing out ) about college in junior year. Students deserve an intentionally-designed process with supports and tools that allow them to drive their development, not be a passenger.
The Person
This is a trusted adult ( or preferably two or three ) designated to help guide and support the process. The core truth of education is that relationship is king. Learning is not an individual sport and young people need scaffolding, structure and cues - and someone to do a "gradual release"as they gain the skills to take increasingly more ownership of their decisions.