The Owls (12^th )

The seniors are perched between two worlds. They are currently living the life they have known for 18 years- student, child, athlete, etc. And yet, they are about to leave all of their known worlds for a new path- one that they have yet to define. They are literally about to begin, perhaps for the first time, leading their own lives- choices of colleges and next steps are imminent. We call the seniors our Owls for the wisdom they are inhabiting and the wide-eyed flight they are about to undertake. We guide them through the process so that they know that all journeys need good support so that they know they are not alone, and that they are ready to take the necessary steps for their own growth.

“What The Sage School did for me, and my life is almost hard to quanitify in words…I ganed an unimaginably complex education filled with life skills, critical thinking, and confidence in my learning. This school literally changed the course of my life.” – Duncan, alum

Student Work

Most of the student work at this level is not the most visual of products. We work on college-ready essays, develop test-taking skills, and thesis writing skills, and work on their capacities to be ready for college life and beyond. We create a philosopher’s coffeehouse/salon where all students assume the role of a philosopher or scientist or even organism to consider different ways of knowing our planet and then engage in an evening of debate and discussion. Our prime example of student work is our I.Tri (Independent Trimester) video presentations on our YouTube channel. These presentations represent the culmination of an entire trimester’s study that the students have designed and implemented. They are presented to the community at large.

Field Study Overview

Each year, students spend between 20 and 25 days “In the Field” in what we call Field Study. These experiences serve many roles: to ground the year academically, to immerse the students in special areas of focus, and to build relationships with teachers, fellow students, and experts in the field.

Field Study enables a deeper understanding of the overarching curriculum through real, first-hand encounters with the natural, social, and built environments in the Intermountain West, where students can be a part of their curriculum in action.

Field Study is not simply “outdoor education” or “adventure-based education.” Our goal is to explore the people, places, and events that support and create the economic, ecological, and social systems where we live, work, play, and study.

Each Field Study is tailored to the appropriate developmental level of each Band. Academic, physical, social, and emotional, Field Study is an anchor to the adolescent journey.

The costs of all field studies are included in tuition.

COLLEGE & BEYOND

After graduation, Sage School alumni enter a world of possibilities, and our curriculum intentionally exposes students to a wealth and diversity of fulfilling and productive ways of life. Most of our alums are currently enrolled in college, some after completing gap year programs or spending time abroad volunteering, or entering the workforce. Sage School students have been accepted to 70+ four-year colleges and universities in various geographic regions of the country and world.