Innovation Mini-Courses

Well-Being, Life Skills and Personal Growth Innovation Courses
St. Margaret’s Upper School offers mini-courses in practical, relevant, real-world learning experiences outside the curriculum that students asked for, which nurture life skills, personal growth and well-being. The innovative, experiential offerings provide rich opportunities for students to delve into topics and activities that are of interest to them outside the normal structure of class. Courses focus on health and wellness, life skills and passion interests.

Health and Wellness Courses include: hiking, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, stand-up paddle, kayaking and nutrition. 

Life Skills Courses include: personal finance and investing, personal safety and self-defense, basic car repair and maintenance and mechanics, resume building and career development, and starting a business.

Passion Interests Courses include: cooking, arts and crafts, jewelry creation, sewing, eSports and gaming, fantasy sports and analytics, personal film and photography. 

Upper School students choose two mini-courses annually and engage in them several times over the course of a year during the hour-and-45-minute Innovation Block in the schedule. Courses are taught by Upper School faculty with prior expertise in the area and visiting scholars from partner organizations including UCI. 

“We created these courses and carved out time in our school day  in response to clear messages from students and in alignment with our strategic goals to nurture the well-being and interests of our students in life skills,” said Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives Ryan Dahlem. “School schedules often restrict innovation, but in this case our schedule focused on student well-being is driving it.”
Back

Matthew, Senior

"The most powerful part is it opens up a whole new dimension of things we learn. Much of what we learn is centered around core academic areas, but in reality, it’s about learning in every aspect of your life."

WIll, Senior

"The fact that I was able to choose increases my anticipation and excitement for what we get to do."

Emily, Senior

“I am excited about the freedom to do something at school you might not normally do, and bond with classmates with a common interest.”
An independent preschool through grade 12 college-preparatory day school in Orange County, California
NON DISCRIMINATION POLICY
St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.661.0108
 
Translation? ¿Traducción? 翻译?: