Dear Parent:
Welcome to John Dewey High School. We are happy that your child chose to join our family in what we hope will be a most exciting and rewarding educational experience.
John Dewey High School represents an innovative concept in education, which is, in many ways, unlike the organization and structure of the traditional large city high school.
We at John Dewey are committed to individual progress and enrichment, the stimulation of greater individual effort through independent study and a de-emphasis of the concept of failure. Our adventure in learning is based on the principle that each student may advance at his/her own rate; some may merit graduation in three years, while some may require more. Graduation, therefore, takes place whenever a student masters the prescribed curriculum. The responsibility for learning is yours. We will provide the tools, a stimulating, unique setting and the support and understanding to enable students of all levels of ability to achieve academic success. Our staff will always be available to help you achieve your educational and career goals.
The philosophy and objectives of John Dewey High School are inherent in the organization, procedures and regulations outlined in this handbook. They will become more obvious as you face the variety of new approaches and ideas in our courses of study, facilities and methods of instruction. Our aim is to develop thinking, questioning, reasoning and responsible individuals. We hope to achieve our objectives through individualized instruction, the use of resource centers for accelerated and reinforced learning, independent study opportunities, a non-graded curriculum and the establishment of behavioral goals that are reasonable and open to assessment by both student and teacher.
We believe you should review the contents of this handbook with your child so that you too may become thoroughly familiar with it and will be able to fully understand our school program.
Sincerely, Barry Fried Principal