Innovation Mini-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.”