Frequently Asked Questions

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Teachers design projects based on the course competencies (see FAQs on competencies below). They submit their project plans to their leaders and team members for feedback. The project plans and lessons are stored in a shared database that is accessible to all of the FlexTech teachers in the network. Teachers love the autonomy and creativity of designing their own projects. 

We also encourage students to co-design projects with their teachers. Students can design interest-based projects that address competencies in one or more courses at a time. 

A full student schedule consists of five classes. Most classes are entirely project-based. On average students complete 6-8 projects per course, or approximately 30 projects of varying lengths in a year. There are some exceptions where students can complete projects that earn them competencies/credits in two or more courses at one time, and therefore they do fewer projects in a year.

Most 9th and 10th grade students attend school Monday-Thursday between 8am-3pm. 11th and 12th grade students are also scheduled between 8-3pm, but can take advantage of flexible scheduling options, which means they may dual enroll in college courses, attend classes at a tech center, or participate in an internship or work experience. Each FlexTech campus offers a unique variety of courses that meet the Michigan Merit requirements for graduation *see course catalog*. Some courses are interdisciplinary (like Humanities or Culinary Arts) and some are stand-alone (like US History). All of the classes are designed in Google Classroom, so a student can access their work from anywhere. Students who qualify for a virtual schedule can complete their work through Google Classroom. Fridays are drop-in days, similar to office hours in a college environment. On Fridays students can meet one-on-one with their teachers for extra support. Virtual students report on Fridays for support.

Advisory is a core component of the FlexTech model. Advisory is a designated period during the school day. The goal of advisory is to help students figure out who they are, where they’re headed, and how they’re going to get there. Through an advisory system, each student has an adult who knows them and helps them navigate high school so that they leave with a meaningful, personalized plan and are prepared for postsecondary options. Every teacher at FlexTech is assigned their own advisory that they loop with until their Advisory graduates. The Advisory curriculum is based on a program called Project Wayfinder. 

Yes. Students work at home on their projects and teachers will often assign tasks that students must complete outside of class time. Homework looks different for each student based on the steps they must take to complete a project. Students may be researching, interviewing, practicing skills, and writing outside of class time in order to complete their projects. For example, in a geometry project, students are asked to redesign a product’s packaging to eliminate unnecessary waste and explain the mathematical skills they used to design the most environmentally-friendly solution. Students work in school and at home to try out different configurations for their improved packaging before they pitched their solutions in class. In this way, math homework did not take the form of one-size-fits all practice problems out of a textbook; instead students had to think about how they could apply math to solve a real world challenge. 

Schools need to innovate to prepare students for a dynamic and ever-changing future.  Begin by mobilizing your school community to see the value of PBL and generate enthusiasm among the whole school community.  Conduct a school readiness assessment that takes an in depth look at culture, climate and capacity. Participate in staff visits to FlexTech schools to see the model in action and then engage in intensive professional development customized through the readiness assessment to build knowledge and skills among teachers who will be ready to use PBL in each of their courses on day 1 of the new school year.  Ongoing mentorship and training will continue for three years allowing teachers to become more skilled and add more and more projects to the curriculum.

Start with a clear picture of a FlexTech graduate; review the “Portrait of a Graduate '' model and explain the skills, midsets, and attitudes that will be required to thrive in personal and professional life.  Engage students in some fun, low-risk projects about how PBL is a better way of learning if the end goal is the ideal FlexTech graduate. Consider using FlexTech Brighton’s model for a Freshman Academy. Ensure that Advisors use class time to teach the portrait of a graduate skills and habits of mind. 

CBE is a comprehensive curriculum, instruction and assessment system where students advance through their courses upon mastering the course competencies (standards). Competencies are taught through projects. Students are assessed on a 4-point scale for each competency. Students must earn a minimum of a 2.0 on a competency to advance; courses can have anywhere from 6-13 competencies. Students must master all of the course competencies to earn credit for the course. Students can move at their own pace through the course and never “lose” a competency once they earn it; therefore, students can work fluidly from semester to semester until they earn full credit. 

Students and parents receive a mastery report card each marking period. There are three marking periods per semester. The FlexTechs use a Student Information System called Alma where teachers track student progress on each competency. FlexTech can provide colleges and universities a traditional transcript with a GPA using a conversion scale. All colleges and universities accept our transcripts.

All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students take all of the state-mandated assessments such as P/SAT, WorkKeys, and M-STEP. The school offers opportunities for students to prepare and practice for the SAT. Students at FlexTech do not take traditional multiple choice or end-of-unit tests in their courses. They demonstrate their learning through projects. Unit assessments take the form of public presentations or products. 

There are a plethora of opportunities for FlexTech parents to receive information about their students and the supports they need. FlexTech fosters strong two-way communication and an open door policy so parents are always in-the-know about their child and the school. FlexTech is a small, personalized program, therefore parents will receive regular communication and updates from their child’s advisor and teachers. Parents will have virtual access to their students’ assignments and progress through Google Classroom and Alma. School leaders send out weekly newsletters. Parents can use Friday drop-in hours to set up appointments with teachers. FlexTech also designates special conference hours for students, parents, and advisors to meet at the end of the school day. There are annual curriculum nights, project showcases, and parent teacher conferences. The FlexTechs each have parent advisory meetings once per month.

Research shows that PBL can promote student learning and may be more effective than traditional instruction in social studies, science, mathematics, and literacy. PBL builds 21st century learning skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration.These are important skills that students need to thrive in college and career. PBL requires students to think deeply about  an interdisciplinary problem over a sustained period of time, which mirrors the workplace environment. Thus, preparing them for the careers of the 21st century.

All students who require additional academic support have access to a team of professionals. In addition to the general education teachers, advisor, and counselor, students can work with the student support team. The student support team consists of the Director of Special Education, Special Education Teacher, Social Worker, and School Psychologist. The whole staff works together using an MTSS protocol to determine which students need support. They identify the best practices that would address the students’ specific needs. The team monitors and supports the student over time and communicates regularly with the student and their family on the students’ progress. 

It is very important that students are able to have their own Chromebook to access their coursework through Google Classroom. FlexTech has a comprehensive technology policy and monitoring system to protect students and hold them accountable for the Chromebook. Students should be assigned their own device, however, they can bring their own if it is registered with the school and the student meets the criteria for bringing their own. School Chromebooks are monitored through the school’s online safety software. Students and parents sign an agreement that outlines the expectations for using a school-issued or personal device on and off campus.