FEINSTEIN HIGH SCHOOL

Feinstein High School is a performance based high school in Providence, RI that celebrates and respects the talents, characteristics and strengths of each student. The school was re-constituted in 2001. They are a site-based public high school in Providence with an enrollment of 350 students.

The Feinstein School uses several educational ideas that are not very traditional.

• No Letter Grades Students are not graded using letter marks. Instead they are graded on a continuum (1-6) based on the standards and how well they meet them. While this might seem very similar to letter grades, it's not, because at the beginning of a project a student might not (and shouldn't) already meet the standard. By the end of the project every student will have met the standard (or exceeded it) Whereas on the A,B, C system, one could get an A in the class without meeting the standard.



• Individualized Learning Plan They don't have Grades (9-12) at Feinstein. Instead they have School One and School Two. In School One, students meet the basic standards required and develop with their counselor an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) During School Two, the ILP is implemented. Advancement is not based on "Seat time" but on attainment of standards.



• Project-based learning Students are involved in project based learning. Instead of tests and quizzes, students work on projects that fulfill their requirements and ILP. In fact, during the last year of school, in order to graduate, Students must complete a "Senior Project." This final project is structured such that the student (a) designs a project that is a significant challenge to the student's abilities and an interest of the student, (b) finds a mentor who is a relative expert in the areas of study and (c) presents their research and product upon completion to a panel of community members.



• Technology focus. Students are expected to be technologically competent. Each student and teacher is given a laptop computer.



• Longer School Year. (and school days) Students are not confined to the traditional model of Sept- June and 8-3. School is a year-long process. This is partially due to the fact that the school is based on the needs of the students..

Whether or not these un- traditional methods will work better than the traditional are working remains to be seen. Their website contains some evaluation charts and goal plans. To find out more about the Feinstein School, you can visit their website or give them a call at (401)-453-8695