Worcester Academy's Academic Program A Mission Driven Approach Our school mission and statement of philosophy provide us with a foundation from which we can explore, create, revise and innovate in regards to our academic program. Centered around these "possibilities" are the belief that a Worcester Academy education should prepare students for college and beyond, provide students with opportunities for leadership and service to the community, and equip them with the skills and attributes needed to be successful in the 21st century. Therefore, when we define "curriculum" at Worcester Academy, we include not only the information and ideas or skills and processes we want our students to understand and master, but also the instructional strategies and assessment methods we use. This student-centered approach to teaching and learning is how Worcester Academy strives to put our mission into practice. Our program, however is not limited to the core content and skills necessary for students to succeed. The guiding principles of affective learning at Worcester Academy can be found in the Academy motto, "Achieve the Honorable." The Academy has taken a broad view of the term "affective" in order to include those traits, qualities and skills that we believe our graduates should possess as a result of a Worcester Academy education. As a result of a Worcester Academy education students should develop and exhibit the following attributes: An understanding of themselves as global citizens who respect and appreciate diversity and cultural differences while developing an awareness of the impact of history, economics, politics, the arts, science and technology on their daily lives Intellectual honesty and curiosity Lifelong skills of thinking and working both independently and collaboratively An appreciation of and respect for the arts and the creative process An understanding of concepts and skills related to health and wellness An understanding of the value of teamwork and competition A keen sense of themselves as lifelong learners with a willingness to take intellectual risks, and an ability to appreciate the value of hard work Leadership skills based upon a code of ethics, honor, and compassion, and a belief in the value of service to the community The ability to listen with an open mind and to use the creative imagination to adapt to a rapidly changing world Our approach to achieving these goals can best be described as "organic," placing value and trust in our greatest asset, our faculty and staff. As Worcester Academy enters the 21st century, we find ourselves positioned and prepared to meet new challenges and achieve new heights. In turn, it is crucial that we understand that the students entering our classrooms are part of an "information age" world. Therefore, as we pursue new avenues of innovation and curricular revision or creation, our focus must also be mission-driven. As such, we place an emphasis on looking to find new ways to engage our students in service learning opportunities, where the content they are learning in class can be applied to real world issues facing the community we are a part of. Secondly, a stronger emphasis on multicultural education and diversity work, to encourage and equip students to become leaders in an ever-changing global landscape. Lastly, providing students with access to and experience with the latest cutting edge technology, preparing them to become responsible citizens in a "global society of increasing complexity." Our program draws on the strengths, talents and passion of our faculty. We encourage and support our teachers to find the "innovation" that they are passionate about, and pursue ways to weave that experience into their classrooms. We are not all expected to do it all. Our contributions each make up a part of the greater whole for any given student, making each student's experience richer and fuller as a result of our ability to "innovate." By honoring and providing our faculty with the ability to connect with one of these three key areas, we truly begin to look and feel like a student-centered school.