Research informs how we design the learning experiences at Portfolio.

Here’s what research tells us:

Learning is most effective when it is connected to real-world applications.
Enduring understandings are much more likely to happen when students are asked to demonstrate their work.
Multidisciplinary teaching and learning increases students’ proficiency and mastery.

The 5 Stages of Learning:

1. Explore

Students learn and understand new material through experiential activities such as labs, trips, and experiments. We develop student interest through exploration.

2. Connect

Students make meaningful connections through our multidisciplinary approach. Our projects contextualize and formalize learning through the study of the theory behind the practice.

3. Apply

Students apply knowledge by creating a tangible project that connects to and attempts to solve a real-world problem.

4. Demonstrate

Students demonstrate learning and mastery on an ongoing basis and by exhibiting work. We focus on both process and product, teaching students to love getting feedback on their work, supporting a healthy growth mindset.

5. Reflect

Students reflect and synthesize their learning. They set goals on where they can continue to grow, deepening their social-emotional skills, time and project management skills, and other important aptitudes.