Announcements - 麻豆精品 麻豆精品 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:06:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-BackgroundSite-Icon-32x32.png Announcements - 麻豆精品 32 32 Spring Term 2026 – 11 Online High School Classes /spring-term-2026-11-online-high-school-classes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spring-term-2026-11-online-high-school-classes Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:14:30 +0000 /?p=5846 This term features 12 unique classes designed to inspire and engage our students, helping them reach their goals. We will be offering classes in Social Studies, English Literature, Language, Visual Arts, Civics, Maths, Psychology, and Foundations.

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Spring Term 2026

This term features 11 unique classes designed to inspire and engage our learners, helping them reach their goals.

We will be offering classes in Social Studies, English Literature, Language, Visual Arts, Civics, Maths, Psychology, and Foundations.

This Term’s Courses

Beginning Japanese 鈥 World Language Class
Intermediate Japanese 鈥 World Language Class
隆Hola! – Spanish for Beginners 鈥 World Language Class
Voices of Resistance: Exploring Identity Through Diverse Writers听鈥 English Language Art Class
Five Great Lessons 鈥 Social Studies Class
Deep Psychology 鈥 Elective Class
Applied Mathematics for Career Pathways 鈥 Math & CTE Class
Geographic Adventures: The Soundtrack of Place 鈥 Social Studies Class
Democracy in Practice: Voice, Values, and Civic Action 鈥 Civics Class
Contemporary Visual Arts 鈥 Art Class
Foundations of Democratic Learning 鈥 Skills Class

Course Descriptions

Beginning Japanese 鈥 Online World Language Class

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 10:30 am – 11:25 am US Central

The Beginning Japanese class is an introductory course designed for students with little to no prior knowledge of the Japanese language. The course focuses on the fundamental building blocks of Japanese, including pronunciation, the hiragana and katakana writing systems, simple greetings, essential vocabulary, and basic grammar. Students will learn to engage in simple conversations on everyday topics, enabling them to introduce themselves and navigate basic interactions in Japanese.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Beginning Japanese class will be taught by Nao Takeda.

Intermediate Japanese 鈥 Online World Language Class

Monday & Wednesday from 11:30 am – 12:55 pm US Central听

The Intermediate Japanese class is designed for students with a basic understanding of Japanese. In this class, you will focus on advanced grammar while practicing your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. You will engage in everyday conversations using natural Japanese pronunciation. The course aims to enhance your overall communication abilities, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You will learn more complex grammar structures and expand your vocabulary. The goal is to help you speak fluently in everyday situations and comprehend moderate-level Japanese texts.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Intermediate Japanese class will be taught by Nao Takeda.

隆Hola! – Spanish for Beginners 鈥 Online World Language Class

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 10:30 am – 11:25 am US Central

Are you curious about Spanish? Do you want to know what those lyrics from that song you like really mean? Do you want to pronounce them or sing them yourself? Then, this is the class for you. This is a course for those teens who’ll be having their first approach to the Spanish language. Throughout this course, learners will understand, speak, read, and write simple Spanish in meaningful, real-life situations. The aim is for them to be able to express ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in basic Spanish. The process will be fun, as we will be using comic strips, songs and movie clips. Are you in? 隆Bienvenidos!

麻豆精品鈥檚 Beginning Spanish class will be taught by published author Paulino Ord贸帽ez.

Voices of Resistance: Exploring Identity Through Diverse Writers 听鈥 Online English Language Art Class

Monday & Wednesday from 11:30 am – 12:55 pm US Central听

This is a class about identity through the views of non-mainstream non-privileged authors with interesting writings in which they talk about life in different social backgrounds. Students will understand the lifestyle, struggles, and experiences these writers have shared, and we鈥檒l discuss how our own experiences can relate to those that we read about and how much the world has changed since. Depending on learners鈥 interests, we will choose essays, poetry, and non-fiction from authors who challenge the dominant discourse through their voices. These could be non-white, feminist, LGBTQ+, Chicano, or indigenous authors, or some of the most famous mavericks: any reading material that will make us reflect on identity, culture, and social issues while strengthening learners鈥 critical thinking, expanding our perspectives, and reinforcing empathy is welcome.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Voices of Resistance class will be taught by published author Paulino Ord贸帽ez.

Five Great Lessons 鈥 Online Social Studies Class

Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 am – 12:55 pm US Central

Where did the world come from? How did humans get here? Why are humans here?

You will explore these questions through inquiry-driven projects throughout the term. The Five Great Lessons are a series of five stories that give learners an overall impression of broad topics, including the universe, Earth, life on Earth, and the inventions of written language and numbers. Through these stories, learners will capture the 鈥渂ig picture鈥 of how the universe, our planet, and life itself came to be.听 Bring your imagination and curiosity to class! As with any good story, The Five Great Lessons are exciting, dramatic, and somewhat mysterious. By learning through current scientific theories, factual information, and discussion, you will deepen your curiosity about the world we live in. As you study the past, this class will also invite you to contemplate the future and explore ideas of hope.

First Great Lesson 鈥 The Beginning of the Universe and Earth
Second Great Lesson 鈥 Life Comes to Earth
Third Great Lesson 鈥 Humans Come to Earth
Fourth Great Lesson 鈥 How Writing Began
Fifth Great Lesson 鈥 How Numbers Began

This is a multidisciplinary class that integrates history, geography, math, science, language arts, and more!听 Learners should take two consecutive Five Great Lessons classes during the Winter 2026 and Spring 2026 terms.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Five Great Lessons Class is taught by听 Nao Takeda

Deep Psychology 鈥 Online Elective Class

Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 pm – 2:55 pm US Central

This psychology course focuses on the elements of psychodynamic theory, how its techniques are applied in therapy, and how we use its concepts in our daily lives. We鈥檒l review a general theory of the mind that considers different levels of consciousness and specifically explores the unconscious mind and its manifestations (dreams, slips of the tongue, etc). Through the mind鈥檚 instances of the ego, superego, and the id, students will learn how our own psyche manages reality and helps us find balance. This will also open the conversation to other topics that teenagers engage with, such as dream interpretation and defense mechanisms that have an impact on our relationships, as well as on art and culture.听

麻豆精品鈥檚 Deep Psychology class will be taught by trained psychologist Paulino Ord贸帽ez.

Applied Mathematics for Career Pathways –听 Online Math & CTE Class

Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 pm – 2:55 pm US Central

Bring math to life through real-world career applications! Applied Mathematics for Career Pathways combines core high school math with hands-on Career and Technical Education (CTE) experiences. Students learn algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and financial mathematics while applying these concepts to fields such as engineering, health sciences, business, information technology, construction, and data science. Through project-based learning, technology integration, and industry-inspired challenges, students solve authentic workplace problems, designing budgets, analyzing data, modeling systems, and making evidence-based decisions. This course strengthens critical thinking, collaboration, digital literacy, and career-readiness skills while ensuring mastery of the state mathematics standards. Students gain practical skills valued by colleges and employers, explore career pathways, and build confidence in applying mathematics beyond the classroom. Ideal for students who want to see the purpose behind math and connect academic learning to future careers.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Applied Mathematics for Career Pathways class will be taught by Issac Azure, Ph.D.

Geographic Adventures: The Soundtrack of Place 鈥 Online Social Studies Class

Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 pm – 2:55 pm US Central

During the Spring term, Geographic Adventures invites students to explore the landscapes of Asia and Oceania through the lens of music, using it as a powerful tool to examine the dynamic intersections of people, place, and culture. Moving beyond maps and borders, we鈥檒l trace the rhythms, melodies, and lyrics that shape and reflect communities, revealing how music tells the stories of migration, resistance, and social change.

Students will analyze how songs emerge from specific environments (e.g., urban centers, rural landscapes, and natural settings) and how they influence identity, belonging, and community life. We鈥檒l examine how music is both a response to and a driver of culture.

With a focus on critical thinking and real-world application, students will engage in collaborative projects, virtual tours, and interactive listening sessions that connect geography to lived experiences. Together, we鈥檒l build the skills to think critically about how music shapes and is shaped by place, empowering students to become active, engaged citizens who understand the power of sound in shaping our world.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Geographic Adventures class will be taught by our director, Robin Harwick, Ph.D

Democracy in Practice: Voice, Values, and Civic Action 鈥 Online Civics Class

Required for all students seeking an accredited diploma

Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 pm – 4:25 pm US Central

This course (required for all diploma-seeking learners) explores democracy as a global human endeavor: from the Great Law of Peace of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, to constitutional systems around the world, to the evolving challenges facing democracies today.听 Learners will examine both Indigenous and Western frameworks of governance, comparing their understandings of authority, consensus, rights, and responsibility.

Learners will understand foundational democratic principles, including consent, rights, accountability, and the rule of law. They will also engage the ethical traditions that shape civic decision-making. Drawing from major philosophical approaches to ethics, learners will consider how values, beliefs, and moral reasoning influence public life and personal responsibility. Through socratic seminars, collaborative projects, and reflective practice, learners will practice articulating their viewpoints while engaging respectfully and thoughtfully with peers who hold differing perspectives.

Rooted in The Pearl鈥檚 commitment to human dignity, intellectual rigor, and community responsibility, this course asks essential questions: What sustains a healthy democracy? How should citizens respond when democracy is threatened? What does responsible participation require of us? This course is designed as an invitation to practice democratic thinking, ethical decision-making, and principled action.

麻豆精品鈥檚 Civics class will be taught by our director, Robin Harwick, Ph.D

Contemporary Visual Arts 鈥 Online Art Class

Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 pm – 5:55 pm US Central

Join us as we explore visual arts for the 21st century! From digital illustration to graphic design to painting and sketching, we help students learn the art skills that they want to know. Whether students have dreams of animation or are just looking to explore their creative side, we help students pursue art without judgment and respect the new styles of art brought to us by youth culture and the internet. Students will have the opportunity to work on their own art projects in addition to art exercises, assignments, and research activities!听 The learners in this course will meet together and collaborate on an arts curriculum based on the topics they want to focus on!

麻豆精品鈥檚 Visual Arts class is facilitated by Brittaney Drake, MA

Foundations of Democratic Learning 鈥 Online Skills Class

Mandatory for New Students

Time: TBD

Step into the heart of The Pearl with this essential orientation course designed to launch your journey as a democratic learner. In this one-hour class, you鈥檒l meet with the director to review the student co-created handbook and community guidelines. You鈥檒l have the opportunity to share your perspective on whether they feel just and fair. This is your chance to see democracy in action鈥攜our voice matters from day one. During this course, you鈥檒l gain hands-on support in using our technology tools, learning how The Pearl works, and discover the mentorship and resources available to help you thrive. Together, we鈥檒l also map out your very first Pearl creative project (and you鈥檒l learn what that is and why we do them), setting the stage for a successful and fun first term.

Our director, Dr. Robin Harwick, teaches the Pearl鈥檚 Foundations course.

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]]> The Importance of LBGTQ Education in Schools /the-importance-of-lbgtq-education-in-schools/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-importance-of-lbgtq-education-in-schools Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:26:22 +0000 /?p=5225 The support of educators and trusted adults can have a profound impact that can completely transform a young person鈥檚 life. When educators teach the diverse reality of gender and sexuality, it reveals the reality that queerness is a part of humanity.

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The Importance of a Queer-Inclusive Education

"As a queer young adult, I urge parents and educators to find or create a space where queer youth can be themselves. "

When I was in seventh grade, the teacher in charge of our sex-ed unit started class by telling us that sexuality existed on a spectrum. He taught the whole unit without any expectation of how his students would identify or what their future experiences would be. This was back in 2009, and I had no idea at the time how fortunate I was to experience such a progressive education. I grew up in liberal cities and around creative adults with the space to explore my identity from the time I was old enough to think about it. It wasn鈥檛 until adulthood that I learned the full extent of how heteronormative the world could be.听

While homophobia has been a constant presence in many environments, there has, no doubt, been an intense backslide in the last couple of years for LGBTQ acceptance, particularly regarding the rights of queer youth. I have witnessed many of my peers slip back into the closet, growing out their mullets, taming their androgynous styles, and at worst, detransitioning to pass in their daily lives. I fear that teenagers feel this pressure more than anyone; those who were given the space to explore their identities during the COVID-19 lockdowns are now being forced back out into a world that has decided it doesn鈥檛 accept them.听

At this time, the support of educators and trusted adults can have a profound impact that can completely transform a young person鈥檚 life. 2009 was hardly the most progressive year for LGBTQ rights, yet I was able to grow up in a world where I didn鈥檛 feel the need to hide who I was. When educators teach the diverse reality of gender and sexuality, it reveals the reality that queerness is a part of humanity. There is queerness in history, science, and art. Queer figures such as Frida Kahlo and Oscar Wilde are already regularly taught in schools, but with their queerness erased. Studying queer philosophy and gender studies on my own has helped me gain a greater understanding of where I fit into the world. Being given that knowledge at an earlier age would likely have helped me resist the confusion I experienced as I grew up in a more heteronormative society.听

While I don鈥檛 consider myself an educator, I have worked on and off for the past five years in outreach for The Pearl: Remote Democratic High School, a non-profit online high school that supports LGBTQ+ students who have been pushed out of public schools. In this time, I have witnessed the profound impact a safe school environment can have. The Pearl鈥檚 classes are democratic, meaning students are actively involved in leading their own learning. This means that if students wish to study through a Queer lens, teachers support them in finding the related reading to do so. Everything students learn is personally and culturally relevant, and teachers are thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are accepting and supportive. As a result, students regain their passion and self-confidence and are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in the world.

When the school first opened in 2020, students coming to The Pearl had all been negatively impacted by the public school system in various ways. However, since the reelection of the Trump administration, every single one of our new students has identified as LGBTQ+. It is profoundly evident that queer teenagers need a space like this more than ever. As a queer young adult, I urge parents and educators to find or create a space where queer youth can be themselves. Resist anti-LBGTQ legislation or find alternative schooling options if you can. Adversity does not breed strength; acceptance does.听

Looking for a safe space to finish high school? Don't hesitate to reach out and see if we're the right fit for your family.

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]]> It Brought Tears To My Eyes – A Parent Testimonial /it-brought-tears-to-my-eyes-a-parent-testimonial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=it-brought-tears-to-my-eyes-a-parent-testimonial Thu, 15 May 2025 17:28:31 +0000 /?p=4839 A Touching Testimony From One of Our Pearl Parents “Reading all the narratives at once, it brought tears to my eyes…”鈥 Narratives at The Pearl

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A Touching Testimony From One of Our Pearl Parents

"Reading all the narratives at once, it brought tears to my eyes..."鈥

Narratives at The Pearl

At The Pearl, we do grading differently. Instead of traditional letter grades, our teachers collaborate with students to create reflective narrative assessments. These essays highlight each student鈥檚 personal growth鈥攚hat they excelled at, where they struggled, the support they need, and what they learned鈥攐ffering a more student-centered view of progress.

Narratives are shared at both midterms and finals, giving families and students meaningful insights into learning and development over time.

A longtime Pearl parent recently shared the power of these reflections. She said the narratives provided meaningful insights into her son’s growth鈥攏ot just academically, but emotionally and personally鈥攖hroughout his journey at The Pearl.

Our approach prioritizes growth, reflection, and authentic learning over test scores鈥攁nd our families notice the difference.

Enjoy the full message below –听

Reading all the narratives at once brought tears to my eyes. It really did! To begin with, immense gratitude to you guys, because every single teacher knows [my son] so well. Everything they say about [him], the way they describe him, they're really paying attention to him. And that is just a blessing to have your kid seen and appreciated and respected for who he is. So that's one thing. Immense gratitude for The Pearl and for you guys and for every teacher!

I am also amazed at how much content is covered in the classes when I read all the narratives. You know, it鈥檚 not the same when you read them every now and then. You kind of have a sense, but when I had to read all of them at once鈥攋ust seeing it all laid out in front of you like that鈥攊t鈥檚 incredible. Really, it鈥檚 just incredible.
Seeing [my son] mature through all his students鈥 comments was just incredible. Honestly, I鈥檓 in awe鈥攐f him, of all of you, the teachers, The Pearl, the whole process..
Thank you Robin.
Pearl Parent
(Edited for Confidentiality)

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]]> Finding Your People – A High School Student Pespective /finding-your-community-as-a-student-at-the-pearl-high-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=finding-your-community-as-a-student-at-the-pearl-high-school Fri, 04 Apr 2025 03:04:13 +0000 /?p=4493 Enjoy this student blog written by alumni Kaitlyn T.鈥 sharing her experience with the social side of The Pearl: Remote Democratic High School.

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Finding Your Community as a Student at The Pearl: Remote High School

A Student Blog by Kaitlyn T.鈥

When students approach The Pearl with the interest of enrolling, this decision is usually motivated by the academic advantages offered by the democratically focused learning model of The Pearl, which you can find out more about here on The Pearl鈥檚 website.

However, there鈥檚 a whole different side of The Pearl that might not get as much attention but is just as important for students’ education and overall growth: the social side of The Pearl. I know firsthand what it’s like to feel hesitant or uncertain about becoming a student of The Pearl. Transitioning from an in-person school environment to the online-centric world of The Pearl is a big jump, and you may fear that the online-centric nature of The Pearl may be isolating or depersonalizing, but it鈥檚 not.

I, as a former student, along with any other current or former student, can assure you the environment facilitated by the Pearl is highly sociable in a way that outpaces the standard high school environment.听 There are a few key reasons why I and many others think so highly of The Pearl鈥檚 social scene.

Students and teachers put effort into fostering a kind and respectable environment that makes the place comfortable and open. It is open for discussion and the ability to truly speak your mind about any relevant topic and release what is inside you, which can be channeled creatively into your work in any of the wide range of classes The Pearl offers.

You might have realized something. That freedom that the Pearl gives you, the freedom to engage in a topic and speak your mind, that’s democracy. That’s democratic learning. The Pearl is so warm and welcoming because it is intrinsically linked to its core philosophies and overall mission statement. The core focus on democratically engineered learning and education tailored to fit you and your needs, giving you as a student a say in what goes on inside the classroom is a benefit for the quality of your education and a lasting academic advantage. Still, it will also benefit your overall experience and quality of life at The Pearl, as it has for me and many others.

The Pearl has its own student-run Discord server. This gives you the ability to fraternize with your fellow students, who may come from all sorts of different backgrounds, but you and they are all united as students of The Pearl and doubtlessly have other things in common to share and bond over. During my time at The Pearl, I met numerous smart, kind, and hardworking individuals who I have the utmost mutual respect for. The students and teachers I met and had the pleasure of interacting with day to day were so kind and respectful that those feelings become inherently mutual, and the feeling of respect for one another is constant and unwavering. And I’m sure that if you choose to become a part of the metaphorical family here at The Pearl, you’ll feel it too, exactly as I did when I was a fresh new student. By the time of your graduation, I guarantee you’ll have as much to say about the people you met during your time as a student as I did.

– KT
Edited by Marciana Romero

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]]> Summer Community Meet-Up 2024 /pearl-summer-meet-up-2024-online-school-community-queretaro/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pearl-summer-meet-up-2024-online-school-community-queretaro Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:51:13 +0000 /?p=3557 At The Pearl, we cherish every opportunity to connect with our students and their families in person, and this summer’s meet-up in Quer茅taro, Mexico, was

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At The Pearl, we cherish every opportunity to connect with our students and their families in person, and this summer’s meet-up in Quer茅taro, Mexico, was no exception. From August 2nd to 5th, 2024, we hosted three amazing families for a weekend filled with exploration, learning, and bonding.

“We left Quer茅taro with our hearts filled with joy and gratitude.”

– Pearl Parent

Friday: Dinner at Tikua

We kicked off our weekend at Tikua, enjoying a feast of Southeast Mexican cuisine. For many of us, it was the first time meeting in person, but it felt like we鈥檇 known each other for years. The conversation flowed as freely as the delicious dishes from Yucat谩n, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Campeche.

Saturday: Discovering Casa Otom铆

On Saturday, we visited San Ildefonso Tultepec in Amealco, Quer茅taro, to experience the inspiring work of Casa Otom铆. This organization supports the H帽盲h帽煤 (Otom铆) community with daily breakfasts, educational support, and women鈥檚 empowerment through artisan cooperatives. We participated in a workshop on Lele dolls, shared a meal with locals, and watched our students play soccer with community kids鈥攁 truly heartwarming day!

Sunday: Exploring Quer茅taro and Its Pueblos M谩gicos

Sunday was all about exploring Quer茅taro鈥檚 historic center, filled with stunning Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. We visited the Contemporary Art Museum, then headed to Tequisquiapan and Bernal, two of Mexico鈥檚 charming Pueblos M谩gicos. We strolled through vibrant artisan markets, enjoyed street food, and climbed Pe帽a de Bernal, the third-largest monolith in the world.

Monday: Mexican Cooking Class

Our final day featured a hands-on cooking class led by Chef Liz. After exploring the Mercado de la Cruz, we learned to make traditional dishes like taquitos de huitlacoche, sopa de milpa, mole, and bu帽uelos. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable weekend!

Reflections from Our Community

We left Quer茅taro with our hearts full, having experienced the magic of coming together. Whether exploring the city or simply sharing a meal, the energy and joy of being in each other’s company were truly the highlights of our time. From laughter and stories to newfound friendships, this meet-up was a wonderful reminder of the strength and spirit of our Pearl community. We are already looking forward to the next summer meet-up, eager to create more memories and grow even closer!

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]]> Personalized Learning & Soaring Math Confidence: Lily’s Story /parent-testimonial-online-democratic-school-empowerment-learning/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=parent-testimonial-online-democratic-school-empowerment-learning Mon, 26 Aug 2024 19:10:47 +0000 /?p=3549 Meet Roberto Diaz, a parent from Panama, who shares his journey of discovering and enrolling his daughter, Lily, in The Pearl Remote Democratic High School.

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Meet Roberto Diaz, a parent from Panama, who shares his journey of discovering and enrolling his daughter, Lily, in The Pearl Remote Democratic High School.

In Roberto’s words, the concept of democratic schools had always intrigued me, thanks to the positive experiences shared by other parents. However, in Panama, where we reside, such schools were non-existent. Discovering The Pearl, an online democratic school, felt like a possible great match.

Before enrolling, I had concerns about how Lily would transition from seventh grade to a high school level curriculum. The small classrooms with plenty of personalized attention from the dedicated teachers quickly erased these concerns within the first few weeks. 

Since joining The Pearl, Lily’s confidence in math has soared. Previously doubting her abilities, she now approaches the subject with newfound assurance, a testament to the individual support she receives.
The most significant impact of The Pearl has been the empowerment it has given Lily to take charge of her education. She now feels empowered to choose her path and explore subjects she might have otherwise overlooked.

To anyone considering The Pearl, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try. The curriculum is great, the teachers are dedicated, and the sense of community is like no other.

Roberto Diaz

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]]> Authenticity in Action: Hande’s Story at The Pearl /authentic-self-discovery-pearl-high-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=authentic-self-discovery-pearl-high-school Fri, 16 Aug 2024 20:01:12 +0000 /?p=3518 As I enter my second year at The Pearl, I find myself deeply immersed in a journey of self-rediscovery within this vibrant community. From the

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As I enter my second year at The Pearl, I find myself deeply immersed in a journey of self-rediscovery within this vibrant community. From the earliest moments of my life, I have engaged in the intricate dance of bio-psycho-social development, navigating the complexities of growth and identity formation. This process of formation has always been at the heart of learning and teaching at The Pearl. For me, each student reflects my own ongoing process of growth and self-discovery. I see The Pearl as their oyster, a space where they can cultivate their potential. This chosen path for students and families at The Pearl has affirmed my inner knowledge.

During the winter term of 2024, our exploration in the Perspective class led us to intentionally adopt democratic decision-making practices as the class evolved. I believe that self-awareness activities played a significant role in making our group feel comfortable with ourselves and with each other, enabling us to engage in these democratic processes. It’s important to recognize that democratic decision-making is not something that can be initiated simply by giving instructions; it requires the readiness and willingness of all participants.

Through cycles of observation, learning, experimentation, failure, and success, I embarked on an outward journey that sometimes distanced me from my authentic core. Yet, within the embrace of The Pearl community, I find myself drawn back to the essential essence of who I am. Here, in the nurturing environment of The Pearl, I have the opportunity to shed pretense and rediscover my true self. I strive to practice this in our learning process as each student explores and pushes beyond their comfort zones.

My initial interview with the founder marked a pivotal moment in this journey, guiding me toward authenticity and transparency. As I work to embody these principles in my interactions with students, I recognize that pretense can sometimes play a role in the learning process. However, I am committed to fostering a balance between authenticity and the temporary “fake it till you make it” approach. At The Pearl, no one has to fake or pretend. By cultivating an environment of genuine self-expression and self-assurance, we create a positive feedback loop where acting with confidence ultimately nurtures genuine confidence from within.

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]]> How The Pearl Helped My Daughter Rediscover Herself /online-high-school-success-story-daughter-thrives-the-pearl/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=online-high-school-success-story-daughter-thrives-the-pearl /online-high-school-success-story-daughter-thrives-the-pearl/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 18:36:34 +0000 /?p=3502 Hi, my name is Marla, and I wanted to share what my life was like just before we discovered The Pearl. One day, I found

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]]> Hi, my name is Marla, and I wanted to share what my life was like just before we discovered The Pearl. One day, I found myself sitting outside my daughter’s bedroom, with a deep sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Tears streamed down my face as I wondered, “Where did she go? My bubbly, outgoing leader?”Just on the other side of the door was my sweet 12-year-old: frustrated, upset, closed off, and feeling like no one in the world understood what she was going through鈥 and maybe that was true.

The past 18 months had unleashed a relentless storm upon her: navigating our divorce, adapting to life between two homes, facing the tumultuous ride of puberty, enduring eight solid months under stringent Covid lockdowns, and鈥攖he final blow鈥攍osing her beloved two-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever unexpectedly. He was more than just a pet; he was her best friend. It had all become too much, and she no longer wanted to go to school or hang out with her friends.

As her mom, it was excruciating to watch her retreat deeper and deeper into her shell. It pained me to see how she withdrew more each day from activities she once eagerly embraced. 鈥淚 want to be homeschooled,鈥 she told me. This came as a complete surprise because she had been at the same school since Pre-K and had loved it her whole life鈥攗ntil recently.I have to admit, as a parent, I thought I knew what was best for her, and homeschooling certainly wasn鈥檛 it.It turns out, I was dead wrong.

Her persistence didn鈥檛 waver, so I reluctantly began researching homeschool programs. The one thing I knew for sure was that I needed structure and teachers. I couldn鈥檛 hold the space for her myself with my work commitments.

I won鈥檛 bore you with the details of the research process, but I can tell you that the democratic structure of The Pearl fascinated me. I instantly loved the concept of self-directed projects for each student. To be totally honest, the Zoom call with the founder, Dr. Robin Harwick, sealed the deal.

During that 30-minute call, I opened up about what my daughter had been going through. With every word Robin shared, I could feel my stress begin to melt away. She completely understood where we were coming from and even painted a picture of what moving forward could look like鈥攁 little beacon of hope at a time when everything seemed so murky.

On that day, I knew I needed support from a school like The Pearl. I realized that the best way to support my daughter was to:

  • Listen to what she was clearly telling me she needed.
  • Find the best possible support to help her find her way back to herself.

The Pearl celebrates the uniqueness of every child, and that is healing at the deepest level for any human鈥攖o be accepted and to belong exactly as you are. I鈥檓 happy to say that after only one year at The Pearl, my daughter continues to come out of her shell more and more. She has goals and aspirations again. She is the bubbly, social kid she used to be. She is thriving.

I believe that as parents, no matter our background or upbringing, we all share one common desire: to see our child pursue their unique dreams, no matter how big or small. In my experience, The Pearl encourages each student to explore what excites them in life, creating an environment that nurtures curiosity and learning.

We couldn鈥檛 be happier to be a part of The Pearl community!

-Marla & Daughter

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]]> /online-high-school-success-story-daughter-thrives-the-pearl/feed/ 0 Our English Teacher’s Impact Statement on Student Motivation鈥 /inspiring-success-our-english-teachers-impact-statement-on-student-motivation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inspiring-success-our-english-teachers-impact-statement-on-student-motivation /inspiring-success-our-english-teachers-impact-statement-on-student-motivation/#respond Wed, 01 May 2024 21:02:30 +0000 /?p=3268 Here at The Pearl: Remote Democratic High School, our community makes us great. We are excited to present a series of impact statements from our

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Here at The Pearl: Remote Democratic High School, our community makes us great. We are excited to present a series of impact statements from our staff, families, and students, starting with our English Language Arts Teacher Sara Caldiero, MFA.鈥

“I started teaching at the Pearl Democratic High School in the fall of 2023.听 I have spent years in the classroom teaching poetry and writing workshops in many unique situations.听 From drifters on the street, to private high school river trips down the Grand Canyon. What has continued to motivate me to teach for decades is my deep belief in the power of the word. I strive to cultivate a love for reading and writing that will serve students for a lifetime. There have been many instances in the classroom where students fall into patterns of frustration. These were often formed in school situations where learning processes were not respected.听 I look for opportunities for them to move towards learning where they can find success and build confidence in their abilities in academia. The students at the Pearl are engaged and eager to learn. The democratic model empowers them to learn at deeper levels because they are driven by their own self-efficacy. The international aspect of the school allows cultural exchange in the classroom. The students get a well-rounded education. It is an honor to teach at this school and help align the students with the school’s mission: to become informed, competent, and involved citizens in a safe anti-racist environment.”

Interested in learning more about our incredible staff? Check out our “About Us” page for our teacher qualifications and CVs or .听

About Us

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