At MVRHS one of our core beliefs is that rigorous coursework prioritizes depth over quantity and encourages students to think critically and make connections across disciplines.
When selecting courses at MVRHS we encourage students to challenge themselves. We want students to make academic choices that align with their future plans and their curiosity, and we believe that maturity can shape how students engage with their coursework over time. We also know that the benefit of a challenging course is way more than a grade and a weighted GPA. It can be a time to stretch oneself, learn from peers and teachers, engage in academic discourse and produce high quality work. Simply put, a C in a course that makes you think deeply and gain new perspective may have a value beyond getting an A in a course that is easy.
Because of this, we have created ‘guidelines’ for students to use when choosing courses rather than ‘requirements’. These guidelines are based on past performance in discipline-based coursework, and will inform the recommendations that teachers make for what level a student should take the following year. A student may choose a class/level that is more challenging than what they are recommended for. We support the student’s choice.
And, when signing up for a rigorous/accelerated course (recommended or not) there are things students and families should consider:
- First, when taking a challenging or rigorous course, the pacing may be fast. This means there will be a lot of work outside of class to do in order to keep up. It also means that the teacher is not likely to slow down if individual students are confused or lost.
- The assignments are challenging and require more than a ‘right answer’ to get a high grade. It may be hard for a teacher to give tangible feedback to a student who wants to know how they can improve. That is because assignments may require critical, independent and rigorous thinking, not just preparation and accuracy.
- A student should be opting into a rigorous class primarily because of curiosity and interest, NOT because they think it will look good on a transcript or boost their GPA. We know that you have heard this before, but it bears repeating. We want students to love the challenge of their chosen coursework rather than trudge through the demands of it.
- Students should actively weigh their strengths and interests when building their schedule. Loading up on rigorous classes can have a reverse effect on a student’s GPA and overall engagement in school if they become overwhelmed. The life skills of balance and perspective can be just as important when considering life after high school – college and career – as GPA.
- When enrolling in these courses students and guardians may be asked to sign the Choosing Rigor Student Contract