The OutDoor School

Northwest Youth Corps' (NYC) OutDoor School (ODS) is an alternative education program for high school youth, ages 14-19, who learn best in an experiential format and who may have had difficulty succeeding in a traditional school environment. ODS traditionally has used a cooperative, team-based format, in which staff engage students in hands-on learning that combines classroom instruction with the completion of conservation projects, field study assignments, and outdoor recreation activities. This year, students will choose between a classroom track or a field track. In the field track, students will spend equal amounts of time in and out of the classroom and staff will strive to assure conservation projects and field study activities are complementary and integrated. Curricula in both tracks include resource management, conservation and environmental studies as well as science, math, language arts and social studies. Students earn high school credit toward a diploma. ODS has a current enrollment of 45 students and is staffed by three instructional staff, two student support staff, a Principal, and six AmeriCorps members.