The Traveling School

Curriculum, teaching style, and methods differ from standard public school offerings. We implement methods that leaders in alternative education have found effective with a variety of learning styles. These include diverse course content, community and service projects, overseas groupstays, experiential education, small class sizes, and individualized instruction. Each student takes seven required academic courses.

The school’s benchmark Content Standards follow the Montana Office of Education and our school course objectives align with Bozeman, Montana High School, where we are based. Classes at The Traveling School implement content applicable to the cultural and regional aspects of the semester, incorporate an integrative curriculum, and include experiential education.

Coursework
Academic course work involves in-depth reading, writing, research, and student presentations.  Our courses encourage team teaching, student discussion and debate, comparative studies and progressive learning.  A seminar style is used in many courses.  Others may integrate several academic subjects to provide a more in-depth study.  In all cases, the goal is to prepare our students for continued education. 

Credits
Each semester course is awarded one academic credit for grades 9-12.  Students earn a total of 7 credits during the semester with The Traveling School.  Academic credits count toward graduation credits in: math (1), science (1), language arts (1), history (1), foreign language (1), PE (1), and Global Studies (1). Students are required to take 7 courses during the semester.

The counseling department of a student’s home high school must approve these credits PRIOR to the semester.  The Traveling School provides all the necessary paperwork for the counseling department.

High school students discuss their plans for after graduation with the counseling department of their home high school to ensure a semester with The Traveling School fulfills all requirements for their chosen colleges and universities.

Teachers
Teachers with The Traveling School are primarily certified classroom teachers and often have advanced degrees in education.  Our teachers have extensive traditional classroom teaching experience and are experts in their fields of study.  Teachers with The Traveling School help students develop positive attitudes toward academics and continue to build upon their knowledge. Teachers incorporate comprehensive curriculum and consider the range of concepts when planning for curriculum and instruction.

Grading
Teachers meet regularly with their students to discuss academic issues and solutions.  Each teacher has set criteria for each course, which is outlined at the beginning of the semester.  At mid-term, students and parents receive a mid-term report outlining the student’s grade status, with comments and recommendations from teachers.

At the end of each semester, teachers record a final academic grade based on the semester average and the course criteria. Report cards, with written comments, are issued at the end of each semester.

The Traveling School uses a traditional grading scale: