Why place-based education?

There are numerous benefits to designing an educational experience for students that is grounded in a place-based educational design. A few are highlighted below.

 

PBE deepens learning. 

Ample evidence and research exist supporting the benefits of a place-based education that includes “boosting student achievements, but also improving the quality of the community’s environmental, social, and economic welfare simultaneously” (Powers, 2004). Instruction of courses with place-based teaching methods “has a higher impact on the achievement of participating students compared to students receiving traditional instruction.”

 

PBE invites students to become active citizens. 

Not only are students improving academically, but they are also improving their communities by engaging in opportunities to become actively involved. These opportunities are created by teachers to allow students to utilize their growing knowledge and skills in applicable, real-world settings. Students learn more about their communities and learn ways to make it even better.

 

PBE energizes teachers. 

Teaching is a difficult profession, and many school settings stifle a teacher’s level of autonomy and creativity. PBE energizes teachers to use their creativity and artistry to create meaningful learning experiences for students – not just learning already crafted for them from a textbook.

 

PBE transforms school culture.

Place-based schools become thriving communities where learning is active. Students are more engaged and productive in their learning, and teachers are more satisfied with their careers. Learning develops not only academic competencies with students, but they are developed as productive and capable citizens and future leaders responsible for stewarding our present and future. All faculty, staff, and students belong to one of three smaller communities (“houses”) named after our three core values. Recognitions, incentives, and competitions build camaraderie within and across these smaller communities so that everyone can feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to being a Trailblazer.

 

PBE connects schools and communities.

On any given day, you can find groups of students off-site on walking or transported field trips, or will find visitors giving their time to the school to work with students on a particular topic or concept. Students are exploring their communities, and community members are spending time in classrooms with students so that this mutually-beneficial synergy can help students get the most out of their learning, and so that the community can get the most out of its students.