The goals for the freshmen year, as with all the years at Orion, encompass the overall ESLR’s mentioned above. In addition, the freshmen year focuses on two main areas:

• Learning to be a competent and responsible student: This includes developing the skills involved in “being a student”  (such as; homework, assignment completion, organization of work and participation in classes).   These skills allow Orion students to begin to take responsibility for their learning and provide the basis for the second main goal.
• Improving organizational skills:  The use of the Orion routine, the computer technology system and network at Orion forms the basis of a successful new way for students to organize their thinking and their class work requirements.

Sample Course Load for Freshman year:        Literature 1, Forensics, Geology, World History, Algebra 1, Language Arts, Group 9, Personal Projects, Dog Class, and PE

The sophomore year includes refinement of the freshmen goals, adding greater social demands, greater community responsibility and an expectation for increased independence in academic functioning while focusing on the development of:

• Age appropriate social skills
• Increasing the academic demands of homework and test taking
• Developing conflict mediation skills

Sample Course Load for Sophomore year:        Literature 2, Art, Biology, Latin 1, Geometry, Group 10, Personal Projects, Dog Class 2, and PE

The focus this year is to increase the academic and social expectations and develop a greater connection and comfort with the larger community. Specifically, goals for the junior year will focus on:

• The quality and quantity of written work
• Increasing the complexity of personal projects and demand for independence in work completion
• Developing transition skills that will be necessary for the work world, as well as preparing students for volunteer activities and greater social comfort in new and challenging situations

Juniors will be involved in increased testing (more standardized tests in certain subjects and preparing for the SAT when appropriate) and take over more social responsibility in the Orion community.

Sample Course Load for Junior year:        Literature 3, American History,Botany , Latin 2, Algebra 2, Journalism, Group 11, Transitions, Personal Projects

The senior year refines both academic skills and social acumen in preparation for movement out of Orion and on to post secondary activities.

• Development and completion of individual goals the student has set in the areas of school, work and social development
• Creating a transition plan that will include work and/or post high school education
• Increased decision making as a class in regards to school activities

Sample Course Load for Senior year:        Literature 4, Advanced Topics in History, Physics , Psychology, Pre-Calculus, , Group 12, Careers and Colleges, Personal Projects