31 Jan The SET Way
What do you want out of high school? A place where you take classes for a diploma? Single track to college? Stay out of trouble? At SET High we believe high school is the ultimate time and space for much more than chasing scores and societal approval. We believe it’s our duty –indeed, our sincere responsibility– to support relationships, build community, solve real-world problems together and guide students towards their interests and passion– it’s the SET way.
SET High is not your average WASC-accredited, tuition-free public California Distinguished high school in San Diego. We see our role as caring educators who help you find your core self and develop into your best version of an engaged, open, global citizen (while still achieving academically, of course).
The SET Way is More Than a GPA
High school is one of the major times in life where you entertain adult ideas while still grappling with identity, diversity, and, let’s face it, hormones. Where better to safely grow academically, physically, and socially than high school? It’s one thing to get the grade, it’s another to learn how to be prepared for life outside of school. According to parents and guardians of SET High students, we’re teaching our students more about themselves than any grade point average could reveal.
The SET Way Focuses on Four Years of High School
We believe that graduating early is not the best option for high-achievers because there’s still a lot of emotional growth to do before college. Advanced Placement (AP) courses aren’t our style either- our teaching style, based on flexibility and passion, wouldn’t fit into that rigid mold. Besides, some colleges don’t consider the AP credit. So what do we do for students who are thirsty for additional knowledge in their preferred subjects and eager to achieve more?
We think that getting SET for college is a four-year process that begins in 9th grade and reinforced every step of the way. SET High created a partnership with Mesa College, which provides students the opportunity to take up to 3 college courses per semester in their senior year, and 2 college courses per semester once they have completed 10th grade.
This allows SET high students to accumulate college credits at no cost while still maintaining freshman eligibility for college when they graduate as more mature 12th graders.
The SET Way Means the Most Growth for Students
What SET students gain from our free public high school is experiencing the richness of high school life. We focus on each student’s’ talents while providing individual support and community experiences to support their personal journey. So regardless of whether students can graduate early or not, we will advocate for them to stay in our high school, further study free courses that expand their passion (including chatGPT), and continue to grow as amazing, compassionate, forward-thinking citizens.
Sometimes education richness might surface in a really fulfilling class that supports thinking outside the box (a specialty of ours, like the elective The Wisdom of Star Wars), but sometimes, learning happens on the way to the pet store?
Our faculty and administration are always on the lookout for involving our students, like getting supplies to clean our large school aquarium or cutting a hole in the principal’s door to insert a window. Prepping the aquarium supplies was the easy part of that project: learning the ins and outs of the nitrate cycle is trial and error at its best (or worst?). Measuring and cutting the hole in Dr. McCurdy’s door was a lesson too, but expanding the cutout piece and using it for art is just the kind of project we love: students and staff interacting, problem solving, learning and expanding their interests. There’s also the philosophical bent that led to the hole in the door: we’re all about transparency. Bonus? Getting hit with some fruit snacks on your way to class through that hole- Dr. McCurdy has a decent aim!
The SET Way equips our students with the tools and confidence to pursue their passion. Want to join us? We are always looking for a new generation of leaders with the mindSET to change the world for the better. Enroll with us today!
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now.