Weekly Reflection 3: Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry
This week, our class visited PSII for a presentation and tour of the school, led by founder and co-principal Jeff Hopkins. In a downtown building, we walked through the different areas of learning, including a tech room, a recording studio and an open room with students working away at their computers. A grade 12 student also showed us around and had glowing reviews for her experience at the school. Looking around, the atmosphere between fellow students as well as their teachers felt relaxed, open and supportive. The students have access to some really great technology and arts equipment, and we heard about some of the amazing inquiry projects students were working on.
While I feel happy that the students who made it through the waitlist have the opportunity to pursue education in this way, I couldn’t help but feel for all of those students who would benefit equally from the style of education, but whose parents could never afford tuition. Throughout the presentation and tour, I felt my conscience pulled in opposite directions. It was inspiring to hear how the students were being supported and had positive feelings toward their high school. But at the same time, hearing that teachers in public high school are “lazy” rubbed me the wrong way. I have been reflecting on why I left with complicated feelings toward the work being done by PSII, and I keep coming back to access.
If the goal of the private/independent school really is to “put themselves out of business”, I hope they can achieve that. These ideas and structures could help so many students who don’t currently have access. I hope that energy is going toward implementing inquiry-based learning into public schools in Victoria and that one day all students in the region have access to the technology, specialized equipment, and educational structures to follow their passions.
Hi Katie!
I really enjoyed reading your week 4 reflection about the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry. I especially liked the point you made about how you felt that your conscience was being pulled in two different directions because even though you were happy for the students who made it through the waitlist and were able to attend PSII, you couldn’t help but feel for the students whose parents would never be able to afford the tuition but would just as equally have thrived in this kind of environment. On that note, I wonder if you have any ideas regarding how schools can incorporate a free inquiry aspect into the subjects taught in their classrooms in a way that makes it affordable for families from all financial backgrounds you could have added as I think this would have made a great addition to your post!