In today’s academic environment, more and more students are in need of transitional college preparatory environments and individualized learning opportunities. TAI, Inc. continues to work to meet the needs of exactly these kinds of students.

Special features of our full-time high school include:

• Rigorous academic expectations complemented by attention to unique learning styles

• Coaching and mentoring teaching styles

• College accepted accommodations for students who qualify

• Combining an individualized approach to curriculum with the opportunity to practice independent learning in a small community

• Class sizes no larger than seven students

Our Philosophy:

At TAI, Inc., the theme of our classrooms is interaction, where students converse with the teacher and learn using the Socratic method. Students thrive with the opportunity to engage with the teacher. We know that learning is enhanced by a positive, enthusiastic response. The enthusiasm that our staff brings to our classrooms demonstrates our belief that there is no learning without excitement.

We have uniquely designed our classes to meet varying curricular and learning needs. Our model provides students the opportunity to develop their skills in the way best suited to each of them; the students also develop the independent study skills necessary for success in college.

Our Model:

Our model encourages students to learn how to work independently. The teacher moves around the classroom working with one student after another, and students are guided to work on their own and remain productive while the teacher works with other students.

This method can be frustrating initially because most students do not have the skills and patience to work alone. As we foster independent learning, students become proud of their college level learning skills. Our strategy works because rigorous academic expectations are complemented by attention to each student’s learning needs and styles.

Classes Offered:

Classes are offered in a college-style schedule Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Each semester class is offered one hour per day on these days. 

Classes are schedules between the hours 8:15 AM and 6:00 PM.

NEW!  The Great Books program.  Click here for the description.

Classes are capped at seven students per class.

COMPLETE CLASS LIST:

ENGLISH:

• Composition/Literature 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

• Creative Writing

• Reading in the Content Area

• SAT and ACT Prep

HISTORY:

• World Civilization

• Fundamentals of World History

• US History

• Washington State History

• American Government

• 20th Century

• Psychology

SCIENCE:

• Geology

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Conceptual Physics

• Physics

• Introduction to Chemistry/Physics

• Health

SCIENCE  LABS:

Virtual Labs are available for...

• BIOLOGY

• CHEMISTRY

• PHYSICS

VIRTUAL LABS

The Academic Institute, Inc. offers laboratory days on Wednesdays for students enrolled in a science class.  See the updated calendar for dates.  We have chosen to utilize online and software programs. 

TAI, Inc. will provide an instructor to coordinate the assignments and lab work done by computer at home by students.  The instructor will enhance the software materials with review, discussion, and anecdotes.  Students will be required to write and submit lab reports.

The labs are integrated and interdisciplinary.  They will be selected to include the Integrated Science, Biology, and Conceptual Physics curriculums as well as the chemistry curriculum.

To participate students must enroll and purchase one of the following labs:

CHEMISTRY

http://modelscience.com/   - this will lead to the tab:  On-Line Order for immediate secure registration and downloading of software.  If any difficulties arise please contact the vender directly.  The cost of the program is $24.95.

Model Science Software
Phone: (519) 570-0335
info@modelscience.com

Virtual Biology Laboratory, 1st Edition:

John T. Beneski, Jack Waber
© 2007
ISBN/ISSN 0495011037 $55

Must be ordered from Thompson Learning 800-354-9706

The following web sites are applicable to the PHYSICS courses and do not require special ordering.

http://www.phschool.com/science/cpsurf/

http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/

FOREIGN LANGUAGE:

• Spanish I - IV    

For Virtual Language Lab, go to www.pasoapaso.com for quizzes and virtual museum visits.

• French I - IV

• Latin I - IV

• Japanese I - IV

MATH:

• Pre-Algebra

• Algebra-Geometry-Adv Algebra-Trig Series

• The CORE math program

• Integrated math I - IV

• Math analysis/Pre-Calculus

• Calculus

SAT and ACT preparation

ELECTIVES

• Art Appreciation

• Music Appreciation

• Community Service

• Work Study

• Culinary Arts

• Technical Preparation

• Martial Arts, Yoga, Aerobics and other PE opportunities

 

WEDNESDAY SCHOOL

THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTE,INC  WEDNESDAY  SCHOOL—required participation

In today’s academic environment, more and more students are in the need of transitional college preparatory environments that will enhance their independent thinking skills and ability to cite sources to substantiate their opinions in discussions and compositions.  In addition to our classrooms, our Wednesday seminars offer the experience for students to converse with a college professor, Reginald Garrett, using the Socratic method. Students thrive with the opportunity to engage with Reggie. Three Wednesdays a month, Reggie provides an academic paper offering a thought provoking approach to a current topic of interest in the news. Students are guided to form an opinion and cite a source to substantiate their opinion. Students develop their thinking skills with the opportunity to engage with Reggie and to listen to their classmates express their academic opinions. We know that learning is enhanced by a positive, enthusiastic response. The fourth Wednesday of each month involves a discussion related to a current exhibit in a local museum that the students have engaged in from a study guide provided by Reggie.

The semester has a term project that is completed in small teams. Each group is guided to select a project of their interest, research and then prepare and present a Power Point presentation, a typical college expectation.

This seminar model encourages students to use rich resources to develop independent thinking skills and informed opinions. Each unique and differing opinion is appreciated and respected. Students enrolled in Humanities (either English or History classes) will attend this college style seminar . Their participation is REQUIRED and provides 40 % of their class grade for their English and History semester class grades. Grades are assigned as follows: C for attendance, B for class participation, or A for attendance, participation and a presentation.

Parents who wish their son or daughter excused from Wednesday school for pressing reasons, may sign a waiver form. These students will be expected to present make up work to Sherrill monthly for the required museum visit and two of the seminar topics.           Click here for the waiver form.

We, at the Academic Institute, Inc. feel these experiential skill developments are a hallmark of our college preparatory school.

HONORS DESIGNATION

Students desiring an Honors designation for any class may request an honors project or an ELO experience (Extended Learning Opportunity).  

CAP AND GOWN GRADUATION

We hope you will join our graduates, our faculty, parents and our specially selected key note address speaker for our annual June graduation ceremony.

Email our director, Sherrill O'Shaughnessy-Alexander, at sherrill@academicinstitute.com to order your announcements.

 Answer the following questions in your email:

1.  How many announcements would you like to order to announce the graduation?

2.  How many people will you be inviting to the graduation ceremony?

3.  What is your legal name and how do you want it to be printed on your diploma?

Call The Academic Institute, Inc. at the number listed below and tell us the height of the graduating student so we can order cap and gown.

We will bill you for your announcements, cap and gown once we hear from you.

Schedule an appointment with a local photography studio for your senior pictures.