Cedar High School

Why Cedar High School was nominated

Cedar High School in Shelton, Washington, stands out for its holistic, student-centered learning environment that integrates culture, community, and environmental stewardship. Here's how they are advancing equity and student-centered learning: 1. Cultivating a Deep Sense of Culture and Community -Student-Led Culture Reset: Cedar High dedicates a day each trimester to revisit and align with its culture agreements through a student-led initiative. This empowers students to take ownership of their learning environment and ensures inclusivity in decision-making. -Advisory and Guardian Meetings: Regular meetings with students, guardians, and advisory teachers maintain a strong support network, extending Cedar's values beyond the school setting. 2. Emphasis on Personal Growth and Agency -Progressive Curriculum: Courses like Freshman Success and High School and Beyond cater to different stages of student development, equipping students with collaboration, self-agency, and cultural appreciation. -Celebratory Showcases: The school-wide showcase for graduating students highlights individual achievements and fosters a shared sense of accomplishment. 3. Commitment to Equity through Standards-Based Grading Cedar High uses standards-based grading with clear rubrics, enabling students to focus on growth, receive actionable feedback, and meet proficiency standards. This approach ensures that all students, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to succeed. 4. Environmental Stewardship and Community Engagement through STEAM -Utilizing Natural Resources: Cedar leverages its location in Mason County to create a living science laboratory, involving students in real-world, hands-on projects like reforestation, native plant restoration, and interpretive trail construction. -Collaborative Community Projects: Partnerships with organizations such as Mason Conservation District and AmeriCorps enrich learning experiences, providing students with opportunities to give back to their community while developing critical problem-solving skills. 5. Enhancing Learning through Project-Based Strategies -Interdisciplinary Co-Taught Courses: Co-teaching allows integration of diverse perspectives and promotes equity by connecting students across disciplines in meaningful ways. -Feedback and Iteration: A culture of continuous improvement, through structured feedback processes for staff and students, ensures practices remain responsive to the community's evolving needs. 6. Preparing Students for Post-Secondary Success -College and Career Readiness: Collaborations with a local college and a focus on transferable skills, such as communication and critical thinking, position students for future success. -Real-World Learning Goals: Guided by New Tech Network, Cedar connects academic goals with authentic challenges, promoting lifelong learning habits., Cedar High School implements the innovative learning model, New Tech Network, a systemic approach to creating scalable and sustainable change so that all students are college and career ready.