08 May What is the Point of High School?
What is the point of high school? Sure, we may be biased at SET High, a tuition-free public high school in San Diego, but we think it’s an incredibly important time to explore, follow your curiosity, learn, and set yourself up for success while easing into your adult life.
SET High is a WASC accredited 9-12 school…which means that we provide high academic standards so you’re prepared for more education but we also want you to ask questions and expand your ideas, starting with what is the point of high school.
Life-Skills Vs. Test Scores
High school is more than a rigid path to a piece of paper that states you graduated. It’s a safe place to break the mold, explore outside preconceived notions and analyze idealized perspectives before venturing into adulthood. Imagine developing interests you’ll actually pursue beyond high school instead of forgetting everything after finals. The real flex isn’t your GPA—it’s walking out with curiosity that lasts a lifetime.
SET High believes school is a place for learning how to think critically, ask deeper questions, and set personal challenges while collaborating with fellow classmates. Part of the value in SET’s education is the expectation to experience just how interconnected we are in this world, and how service work in the community absolutely makes an impact.
Take using AI in school. At our California Distinguished School, we decided to carefully and intentionally embrace it and make it work for us and our students. After all, how could we champion asking the big questions and ignore this technological advancement that centers on asking all the questions?
We measure our success based on how well we launch into the world compassionate citizens, motivational leaders, and passionate thinkers who deliver astounding societal results over a lifetime. We want to prepare you for life, not just college applications. It’s the SET way.
Passion & Purpose Vs. Boredom
School feels much more important when each individual student is encouraged to discover their passion and create a learning path. Students develop their personal brand and vision, with passionate determination, boldness, personal investment, and great communication. At our engaged school, we actively pursue students’ interests through passion projects and a rich array of electives, including one aptly named Project You!. This innovative class is designed to look for ways to navigate life beyond the classroom.
The culture we establish at SET High ignites excitement and lends a purpose to learning. This also fosters close teacher-to-student relationships, which have been proven to increase the benefits of high school education. We even involve you on our school board– students select one student to represent them at the school board level and they learn the ins and outs of running a school while speaking up for students and their interests (like revamping the student bathrooms).
Collaboration Vs. Competition
In school and in life, healthy progress accelerates with teamwork and collaboration– not by competition. SET offers each student individual attention from teachers and a healthy camaraderie with classmates.
When we teach high school students to ask questions of each other, listen to the group, and collaborate on projects, they learn much more about themselves and each other than if they were learning in an environment based on competing for the highest score. SET students are provided with an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality. Not only do we feel this better prepares students for college, it prepares them for future employment and a path to a fulfilling life.
The point of high school isn’t just getting that diploma—it’s developing your interests, finding your purpose, and becoming someone who makes an impact and at SET High, we strive to fuel it. Schedule a tour, shadow a school day and join us, it’s not too late to love high school — we’re enrolling today!
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students at our twice-awarded California Distinguished School 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. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at www.sethigh.org.