The Whitmore Approach to Education

Whitmore School is designed to fit each student’s life, and our flexible schedule adapts to your student’s needs.

At Whitmore School, students don’t have to learn at the same pace or on the same schedule as everyone else. Our self-paced, mastery-based approach gives students the flexibility to take the time they need, move ahead when they’re ready, and build their education around the demands of their lives.

When Traditional School Doesn’t Fit Your Life

Ready to Move Ahead?
Students who learn quickly don’t have to wait for the rest of the class. They can continue progressing as soon as they’re ready.

Need a Different Pace to Succeed?
Some students understand new material quickly, while others benefit from having more time to process, practice, and master challenging concepts. At Whitmore, taking the time you need is simply part of the learning process. Students can work at a pace that allows them to build confidence, strengthen their understanding, and experience academic success, with individualized feedback and support from their teachers along the way.

Managing Health Challenges?
When health circumstances make a traditional school schedule difficult, Whitmore’s flexibility allows students to make progress when they are able.

Working While You’re in High School?
Students with jobs can build their schoolwork around their work schedules rather than choosing between employment and education.

Need a School for a Fresh Start?
Sometimes students need a fresh start—a school where they can leave past challenges behind and move forward at their own pace. Whitmore School provides a flexible, supportive environment for students returning to education after dropping out, young people rebuilding their lives after time away from school, and students whose anxiety or other personal challenges have made a traditional school environment difficult. Our self-paced approach gives students the time, space, and individualized support they need to regain confidence, reconnect with learning, and work toward a successful future. At Whitmore, we believe that where a student has been does not have to determine where they are going.

Training to Compete?
Elite athletes can balance rigorous academic requirements with practices, competitions, travel, and training.

Pursuing Your Passion to Perform?
Musicians, actors, and dancers can continue their education while pursuing rehearsals, performances, auditions, recording, and other professional opportunities.

Remaining Neutral

At Whitmore School, we believe there is a distinct line between the role of the parent and the role of the school.

We believe that it is the parent’s role to ground their children in morals and ethics. We also believe that it is the parent’s role to teach their children about cultural and political ideas. At Whitmore, we respect your role in these matters. To put it simply, we teach students how to think – NOT what to think. That’s up to you.

Full Transparency

We believe in transparency. Parents have their own login that provides access to the Whitmore School curriculum, and ALL communication between their child and their teachers and Guidance Counselor. Parents also have confidential communication with school administrators if concerns arise.

Competency/Mastery-Based Learning

Whitmore School is a forward-thinking school with a traditional curriculum. Since 1994, we have utilized the most time-proven approach to teaching – self-paced competency/mastery learning. Our online system is designed to focus on a student’s strengths and achievements, rather than their limitations and failures. For example, our individually-paced mastery learning approach eliminates the “need for speed” present in a standard classroom with a semester schedule, and this allows students to learn at their own natural rate. Brilliant!

Think of it this way.

Just like learning to ride a bike, children keep practicing while parents keep coaching until they find their balance. It takes children many attempts to master the skill.

Have you ever observed a teen while playing a new video game? They rarely achieve the highest levels without trying, revising, and trying again.

Just like both of these examples of mastery learning, students at Whitmore School try, revise, and try again. At Whitmore School, we apply this learning strategy in every lesson. Teachers encourage their students to try new skills, and they praise them for their efforts.

“Great job on your thesis statement! Your topic is clear and concise. Let’s build on this.”

At Whitmore School, teachers encourage students to persevere. On average, students revise their lessons 3 – 4 times before receiving a grade. English courses may require more revisions as students hone and polish their writing skills. This is the norm at Whitmore School, and students become deeply engaged in the learning process.

Self-Paced Learning

Students may begin a new course at any time during the calendar year, and progress at the pace that they find most comfortable. Students are awarded credit for a course by revising each lesson until the concepts are mastered. Instead of having to keep up with other students, Whitmore School students can learn as slowly or rapidly as their personal learning style dictates.

Personal Graduation Plan

Every student works closely with his or her counselor to develop their Personal Graduation Plan. We begin by reviewing previously earned high school credits. From here, you and your counselor will review the courses that you will be required to complete in order to graduate. You will have many course choices from core courses such as US History and Trigonometry to elective courses such as Stress Management and Digital Photography.

Each week, your counselor will send you and your parents a Weekly Summary Progress Report so that you always know where you stand toward your goal of graduating. Students enrolling in the Diploma PLUS program also receive a Quarterly Detailed Progress Report and may have regular phone meetings with their counselor as needed.

Developing Grit and Personal Responsibility

Teachers hold all students to high standards of mastery while being personally encouraging. Obstacles such as time and place are removed.

Students are encouraged to be in charge of their education by setting their own schedules, delving deeper into topics of interest, and practicing self-advocacy in various ways. Our lesson assignments are designed to give students opportunities for creativity and independence.

Each student is in charge of his or her own important tasks, such as submitting a request for a final grade at the completion of a course. Students also schedule their own time to work towards their personal goals.

Critical Thinking Skills

Developing critical thinking skills is so important, especially in today’s constant exposure to information on social media and the Internet. Whitmore School students are expected to conduct research from educational resources, form an opinion, and summarize their findings. History courses are based on primary documents, laws, and mores of the times.

“We teach students how to think, not what to think.”

Clint, Social Studies Department Chair

Why Do We Teach to Mastery?

Every student moves through their courses at their natural rate in every lesson and every course. The student who loves reading can move quickly through English courses while taking the time they need in math. Our teachers work individually with their students, wherever they are in the course, and guide them to master the topics of every lesson. This is not an easy way to teach. But, we teach to mastery because the outcomes are outstanding.

The Results

Whitmore School students score higher than national averages on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Students are accepted to colleges and universities throughout the USA and abroad. But, just as important, we see students become thoroughly engaged in their lessons and learn to communicate effectively with their teachers and counselors. Ultimately, Whitmore School students graduate as independent learners and critical thinkers, still grounded in the family morals you have instilled in them.

Whitmore School graduates report having the skills and confidence to excel in college, career, and life!