Classes and Study at Desiderata

Desiderata School strives to create an emotionally safe learning environment which encourages and supports self-discovery, curiosity, and positive personal growth. We recognize that the adolescent years are not only a time of academic and intellectual growth, but also a time of social development, identity crisis, and identity establishment.

For our students this recognition means they should not fail classes due to unavoidable situations which arise taking attention away from studies. As independent-study students whose course schedules are their own, if students temporarily slow the pace of course work completion due to illness, personal crisis, family trips or unrelated school opportunities that arise, their grades are not penalized.

We recognize that to adolescents, life situations are, from time to time, more important than learning and completing course work. Desiderata’s programs are self-paced and curriculum is individualized, thus eliminating course work deadlines, negative competition and pressure among students and their peers.

For this reason, Desiderata has also eliminated traditional grade levels. When students meet graduation requirements as outlined in the graduation requirements section, they receive their diploma or move from elementary levels into Middle School levels, then into High School. All of Desiderata’s programs are self-paced, allowing students to study and learn at a pace beneficial for each of their individual learning styles, abilities, and schedules.