Volo means “I will” and “I fly” from Latin [Velle]: “to will” and [Volare]: “to fly”
Envision today’s young person — moving into the world of the future with head held high,with confidence and skill,taking advantage of opportunities and conquering challenges.
To help them gain the knowledge, skill, and attitudes needed for a future we can’t fully predict, we have re-imagined school.
Support for Agency (Making Choices)
Outdoor Time
Community
Teachers in the Best Sense
Personalized Curriculum
We connect a small, multi-aged group of learners with extraordinary teachers (we call them facilitators) and life-changing learning experiences. We are a vision-driven learning community that spends more than half of our time outdoors and includes young people in all aspects of their learning program.
Curriculum (the what, or the stuff that participants learn) reflects the interests and capacities of the learner. Math, writing, reading, science, movement, art, and music are integrated daily and in focal blocks. We nurture curiosity and creativity in myriad ways. No simple, age-imposed expectations here.
Pedagogy (the how, or the method) focuses on experience, adaptive learning, and human relationships. We incorporate methods proven by experience and research. As in Scandinavian schools, we have short days and limited homework. We spend about 60% of our time outdoors, learning with a friluftsliv mentality. Students choose and lead projects in the community. Governance includes developmentally-sensitive opportunities for student leadership. We connect learning to physical movement, music, art, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving. No boring busy work here.
Assessments include frequent formative observations, inquiry, and portfolio-based summative assessments. The well-being of each young person is top priority. We strive to really understand the person as a whole human being. Our care and sensitivity to each person and group dynamics helps us to keep tabs on the curiosity (desire to learn) and happiness of every one. No standardized tests here.
Here are some examples to help you see how Volo works…