Everything that we do in the classroom is meaningful and purpose-driven, for the long-term growth of the student, both academically and in character. Because of our guiding philosophy and teaching method, the coursework is rich and rigorous. Because of the priority on reading, narrating, and discussion, the students will be well prepared for college-level seminar classes and work load. 

Ambleside actively prepares students through four years of college and career counseling, an individualized college prep action plan in 11th and 12th grades, standardized testing, and volunteering opportunities wrapped into the coursework.

Ambleside High School prepares students for life-long flourishing by building a set of skills and knowledge across four years, in foundations, service, life skills, and independent opportunities. Additionally, practicums give students a variety of experiences and skills that are applicable to post-high school pursuits.

9th Grade Foundations Practicum

Students begin their high school career with extra time to study (and build study skills). Going forward, they learn technology skills, public speaking and presenting, and a survey of personal management skills.

10th Grade Service Practicum

Students serve weekly at a local non-profit, building relationships with multi-generational folks serving the community in a variety of ways. In doing so, students earn a total of 40 volunteer hours, which is compatible or above the community services requirements of surrounding public school districts.

11th Grade Life Skills Practicum

During the fall semester, students study the foundations of personal finance, including earning, budgeting, saving, spending, giving, and financial services and responsibilities. In the spring, they build a list of colleges of interest, learn about the application process, write a personal statement, explore scholarship opportunities, meet college admissions counselors, ask teachers for recommendation letters, and more.

12th Grade Independent Practicum

During 12th grade, students are invited to pursue an off-campus opportunity to enrich their knowledge in an area of interest, and build skill in something that is outside of the Ambleside High School coursework. Options include: taking a college course off-campus, participating in an internship, volunteering with an organization of interest, etc.

9th Grade

PSAT 8/9 (Spring)

10th Grade

PSAT 10 (Spring)

11th Grade

PSAT/NMSQT (Fall), SAT (Spring)

12 Grade

Optional: SAT (Fall)

Twice a year, the lead grade level teacher sits down with each student and their parents to discuss together “beyond high school.” These regular discussions build a partnership around the student’s giftings, interests, and calling, the parents’ desires for their child’s future, and the teacher’s insight.

9th Grade

We prayerfully consider the gifting, interests, and calling of the student to this point in their lives, and brainstorm opportunities to explore these further.

10th Grade

We reflect on the continued development of the student’s gifts, interests, and calling, and identify action steps to seek increased insight and wisdom in areas of interest (colleges, careers) through personal and community connections.

11th Grade

We imagine together several realistic post-high scenarios, and build a list of important goals and deadlines to complete before the fall of senior year, in order to pursue those potentialities.

12th Grade

We partner around the post-high school planning process (applying to college, internships, vocational pursuits, etc.), by finalizing the tasks to complete with corresponding deadlines.

Our students have several opportunities to earn college credit during high school, should they desire. Because of our philosophy and method, Ambleside does not “teach to the test” and therefore our courses do not share the requirements and regulations for Advanced Placement or dual enrollment courses. However, these opportunities are still available to those who desire it:

• • Take dual enrollment college courses through local colleges and universities on their own time; we recommend during the summers and/or during 12th Grade Practicum.

• • Take AP test(s) through the  local school districts. Should a student desire to take a test, he or she must register to take the test with a school that offers it. In order to receive college credit for an AP test, the student must get a score that the individual college accepts as credit for a class. 

• • Take CLEP test(s). These tests provide college credit, depending on the college and the score. It is recommended that students wait until 11th or 12th grade to determine the school(s) they are applying to, and thus the value of taking a CLEP test for college credit.

At Ambleside, the goal of education throughout the K – 12 is student growth. In high school, we continue our focus on qualitative feedback through Reports of Growth. Additionally, we also help high school students to grow in their ownership of their relational and academic growth by requiring them to regularly track marked work, noting areas of strength and opportunities of growth. 

We recognize that outside of Ambleside, much of the world of higher education uses a common language of grades to communicate the academic maturity of a student. Therefore, we do create transcripts for every one of our students, each semester of high school. These transcripts are shared with parents, and at the parent’s discretion, students.

The high school is, in many ways, the culmination of years of work in discipleship, habits, and increased student ownership. We recognize that students have grown in and are ready for a greater level of independence, rigor, and creativity. We provide multiple unique coursework and in-school opportunities:

Mixed Classes

Bible, Fine Arts, Spiritual Classics, and Electives are mixed between grade levels to provide opportunities for strengthened relationships and shared wisdom across 9th-12th grades.

Electives

Choices vary from year to year, as our high school grows. So far Studio Art, Guitar, Fitness, and Chorus have been offered.

L’Abri

A weekly lunch discussion, with all high school students and staff, that centers around current events and meaningful topics of interest.

Schedule

High school students have passing periods between classes, and freedom to move around the building to various classes.

Uniform

Increased options for colors, styles, and types of shoes are available to high school students, as well as a new professional attire uniform for formal events.

New Subjects

• Practicum
• Fine Arts
• Spiritual Classics
• Writing Lab
• High School Play (typically more modern plays)

Sports

• At Ambleside, we currently have Basketball. In future years, there may be other sports that could be available, depending on the number of students from the high school student body interested in playing, and the size of the team needed.
• Outside of Ambleside, our students are able to play for a team of their neighborhood public school. So far, we have had students play baseball, soccer, golf, and swimming through their local high school.

Leadership Council (10th-12th)

• Speaker Meetings: Students gather monthly to hear from various community leaders, who share about leadership lessons learned in their field of work and life experience.
• Mentor Program: Students are paired with adults in the community, and together they build a relationship centered around love for Jesus and growth in pursuing God’s calling.
• Teams: Students lead teams to accomplish goals for the high school and whole school community, such as sports fundraising, organizing music and sound for weekly assembly and Chapel, putting together the High School Newsletter, and running high school events (Christmas party, spring banquet, etc.).

Social events

• Leadership Council’s student-led teams offer the direct opportunity to contribute to and create new traditions at the high school level, such as a whole-high school Christmas party or spring banquet.

Volunteer opportunities

We offer many volunteer opportunities to our high school students including Landsharks, Yearbook Team, and more to come!