Skills Class

Throughout their time at The Beech Hill School, students take "Skills" Class (read more about "Skills" class in The Concord Monitor). This course is designed to teach students the skills that are necessary for academic success, for community participation, and for a competitive edge.

Below is a sample list of topics covered in Skills:

Study Skills
Organization
Note Taking
Time Management
Health & Nutrition
Typing
Computer Skills
Standardized test preparation
Interpersonal skills
Electronic communication
Budgeting and money management
Research

The topics covered in a certain grade will be aligned with students needs at that grade level. For example, 6th graders will focus on study skills as they are beginning middle school. Eighth graders will work on test preparation as they are looking toward the SATs, the SSATs, and other standardized tests.

Study Hall

Three times a week each student at BHS has Study Hall. Working in conjunction with the Skills class, students come to study hall prepared to tackle particular assignments or catch up on specific work. During Study Hall periods all teachers are available for extra help and counseling. As students move through their 8th grade year the structure of Study Hall is left solely to the student, in preparation for the freedom they will experience during their free periods in their secondary schools.

Solutions

During one period a week the community gathers for Solutions. This is a time when the community will address specific needs, special projects or other opportunities for learning that might otherwise be missed. Students help with community projects, try to do their part to solve large, complex social problems, work on the farms or are visited with a special guest.

Outdoors

The Outdoors program is designed to provide opportunities of leadership, stewardship and adventure for our students. Activities combine elements of these three principles, as students learn skills ranging from silent communication, to orienteering, to safety and first aid, to leave-no-trace practices while building shelters or fires. Older students are expected to demonstrate their leadership growth, in part by teaching one skill to the class themselves. The class is held outside all year, and students have both group and solo time to experience, experiment and reflect.