Exploratories

Exploratory classes provide FSA middle school students with opportunities to "explore" areas of experience and study outside of core academic classes, allowing them to broaden their outlook and skill base, experiment with identity in a (relatively) safe environment, and discover or deepen their abilities in activities that spark engagement and passion. And because exploratories are the classes that we feature at the end of the day four times a week, often exploratories become something joyful that students really look forward to!

• Students meet twice a week - Mondays/Tuesdays and Wednesdays/Thursdays
• Exploratory classes are offered by our Specialist Teachers in areas such as art, performing arts, innovation lab, and physical education.
• All middle school students take one quarter of FSA’s developmentally appropriate Health Curriculum during exploratories.
• 5th and 6th graders attend Spanish for a semester of exploratories.
• Some of our exploratories offer students an opportunity to obtain community service hours to fulfill their requirement.
• Some exploratories offer students leadership development opportunities.

Exploratory classes support FSA students' increasing drive for independence putting them in the driving seat for their learning. At FSA, exploratories provide 7th and 8th grade students the ability to choose their exploratories. This gives students a necessary opportunity to make choices within a structured and therefore low-risk framework. When students choose exploratory classes, they can make choices for themselves and reflect on how those choices impact their own experience, their learning, emerging identities, and the community around them.

Examples of recent exploratories are:

• Drawing & Painting

• Music & Technology

• Cross Age Teaching

• Dance & Yoga

• Our Natural World

• Digital Storytelling

• Book Art

• Theater Tech

• Student Life Committee

• Mosaic & Tile Traditions

• Pottery & Sculpture

• Intro to Strength Training

• Zumba & Cardio Dancing