How It Works
“I've got my child back.”
“The Dr. asked what we did differently, this is a whole different kid.”
“My child talks to me now, and they talk about stuff they are doing in class.”
At BSLC we hear comments like these often, and we are then asked what we do to bring about these transformations.
The answer is usually not a magic formula as much as it is multiple things and people coming together. While every teen's journey at BSLC is unique - how they begin, start to build relationships and gradually transition into having their own rhythms and routines, are just a few key elements that form the essence of the BSLC core experience.
For a more formal explanation of some of the intent and design behind what we do please continue to scroll down and read on.
AUTONOMY
We think the reason for the immediate positive response is that at BSLC students are given autonomy. Autonomy alone will not educate a young person, but we think it is a prerequisite for any good outcome be it social, emotional, or educational. And the radical improvement we see in the emotional state of new students at BSLC seems to illustrate the point.
Defined as the right or condition of self-government, autonomy is the thing teens crave the most. Though they might not put it in those words they are acutely aware of how little control they have over their lives and how few decisions about their lives are up to them. When they arrive at BSLC and are given autonomy like they have never had before, the rush of exuberant energy is transformative, and many young people "come back to life".
But the process doesn’t stop there. At BSLC they are not left to navigate their freedom alone, they work with a staff advisor/mentor who is there to help them come to grips with their new found autonomy.
MENTORING
The student-staff mentoring relationship is the most important connection a BSLC student will have, but it can’t and won't be rushed. The staff advisor has no particular agenda other than getting to know the student. The advisor builds trust by bringing no expectations to the table and trying to find out what is relevant to the student. Then, once the student trusts the advisor and sees them as an advocate who will protect their autonomy, the real work can begin.
With their advisor’s guidance the student will learn the difficult art of using their autonomy to structure their own life. This is the one skill that all successful people share, and every single human being who develops it will do it differently. There is no one right method and every advising relationship is distinctive, but eventually the BSLC student begins to draw on the resources available to them - classes, tutorials, study groups, clubs, activities, the social community - to expand their understanding of what is relevant and important to them. And deep lasting and genuine learning only happens when the student sees the content as relevant and important as well as applicable to building their identity.
Individualized Learning Plan
BSLC's approach is simple. The advisor (and other staff) start with the teen's strengths, affinities, preferences, interests and challenges to build, together with the teen, a personalized learning plan, and a mental strategy to implement it. With the careful guidance of the mentor, the teen is in charge to self-direct their learning.
BSLC focuses on personally meaningful learning and evaluation that stays relevant in their paths forward rather than on questionable standardized tests and grades. Having said that, members' learning is documented on Compass, an application to capture work and artifacts produced along the way. Reports will be available to help the member and their family reflect and continuously improve their learning. Year-end transcripts are available to support their transition from BSLC to high-school or college.
Classes and Activities
BSLC offers a wide range of classes and workshops to facilitate achieving our member's goals. Classes happen in small groups that enables greater participation and individual attention. We also explore project-based learning which supports learning in the truest sense. Teens identify real-world problems, explore solution ideas, and select a plan and execute it to completion. They develop analytical & cognitive skills, creative thinking, practical knowledge and of course problem-solving skills.
In addition to classes & activities, we also support independent studies and 1-on-1 tutoring on demand.
Community
Field trips and community events - including a weekly community meeting - form an essential basis of learning at BSLC. Teens learn to explore the outside world first hand and how to become a responsible member of the community they are a part of. We strongly encourage staff-parent meetings to maintain a regular, transparent, and healthy dialogue that will help BSLC support your child in the ways that matter to them and you.
Student Led Initiatives
We believe that self-driven and self-motivated learning is the best kind of learning. At BSLC we also believe that we are all learners, and we constantly rotate our roles of being a mentor, learner, and/or teacher. BSLC encourages interested students to lead activities, classes or larger programs for other members. Such student-led activities have a huge potential for excellent peer engagement and also personal growth and improvement.
