The LiHigh Lab Model

At LiHigh School, we pioneer a future where education is not about passing grades but fostering genuine growth. As a therapeutic institution, we serve the special education needs of central and southern Vermont, welcoming students who, more often than not, carry significant gaps in their foundational Math and English Language Arts (ELA) skills. It's not uncommon for us to welcome teenagers who face challenges with work expected of much younger students, sometimes even at a first-grade level.

In response to this, LiHigh School has embraced a lab approach to teaching Math and ELA, a strategy where the traditional grade system is replaced with personalized skill development. 

Our methodology is straightforward yet profoundly impactful: we meet each student exactly where they are, grouping 3 to 5 learners with similar skill levels. Through research-backed, evidence-based instruction, students are nurtured until they achieve proficiency in their current skill set, moving forward at their own pace, free from the constraints of a standardized timeline.

This tailored approach ensures that no student advances without demonstrating true proficiency, underscoring our belief that education is not a race. At LiHigh School, there are no 8th, 9th, or 10th graders; there are only learners growing at their own pace, skill by skill. The results? Students ready to engage with their learning journey have seen improvements of up to three or more grade levels per year in math and ELA.

However, LiHigh School’s commitment extends beyond academic skills. 

Recognizing the social-emotional and behavioral challenges faced by many of our students, often stemming from severe trauma, our priority is to foster an environment of safety and respect. Learning, inherently a stress-inducing activity due to its demand for change and adaptation, can be particularly challenging for our students. Many have developed survival habits in response to traumatic experiences, habits ill-suited to a traditional educational setting.

By focusing on creating a safe, respectful atmosphere, we help our students shed these survival habits, gradually replacing them with behaviors conducive to learning. Once students feel secure and valued, they become more receptive to learning, allowing the lab model to truly flourish.

LiHigh School diverges from the norm  by choice. We reject the notion of advancing students based solely on age, focusing instead on individualized growth, safety, and self-confidence. Our approach is a testament to the belief that every student, when given the right support and environment, has the potential to exceed expectations.

The essence of LiHigh School’s philosophy is simple: education is a journey of growth, not a destination defined by grades. By prioritizing personalized learning and emotional well-being, we not only bridge educational gaps but also empower our students to navigate their futures with confidence and resilience.