Four students of different ages sitting in a row, listening intently during a class discussion

Multi-Aged Classes

One of the unique features of Urban Academy is the multi-aged nature of its classes. Students from freshmen to seniors take courses together with vibrant discussion at the center of every class. During class time students of different ages participate in discussion together. However, when students are writing, they are writing individually at their own level (which is of course true even in a class where everyone is the same age). Teachers respond to each student with feedback that addresses their current level of writing and analysis.

Students seated around a table from above, annotating printed readings and marking up a text together

In this way, Urban Academy is more like a college environment than a traditional high school. Everyone's contribution is valued, regardless of age or grade. After reading our course catalog (see Classes), students choose classes as they do in college, based on their interests, not on their age. Advisors make sure they have a balanced schedule and fulfill all distribution requirements.