The TEAM Academy at Archie Williams High School
What is the TEAM Academy?
The TEAM Academy is a unique learning experience for Juniors and Seniors at Archie Williams High School!
TEAM is an experiential learning model that combines the following: backpacking, hiking, community service, internships, wilderness medicine, rock climbing, project based learning, core academics, and a small learning cohort model. There is a cohort of 26 juniors and 26 seniors and 2 teachers!
The central mission of TEAM is to help students reconnect with a greater purpose in their lives. Through TEAM’s experiential education model, students can gain real world experiences in the outdoors, in their community services placements and internships, and with a close knit community of peers and teachers. In Team, students are reminded of a greater sense of belonging and meaning in their everyday lives, along with a recognition of how much of an impact they can make on the world around them.
Now more than ever, students are looking for ways to be present with their peers in person and gain life long skills to help them succeed. This pandemic has taught us all that connecting through a screen is incredibly difficult, and some time immersed in nature can serve us all.
TEAM is truly a transformative two-year educational model.
** The TEAM Program, a precursor to the TEAM Academy at AWHS, has been part of the Tamalpais Union HIgh School District since 1990**
Transforms Lives
The TEAM program ran in the Tamalpais Union High School District since 1990. Originally, it ran as a small program for juniors at Tamiscal High School. In its 30-year run there, it has left an outstanding impact on the lives of hundreds of teens and their families.
Now at Archie Williams High School, the TEAM Academy truly transforms lives for the better. It’s impact goes far beyond high school and has stayed in the hearts of our community members for life. We hope you let TEAM be part of your journey too.
Experiential Education
The TEAM Academy focuses on teaching outside of four walls in a non-traditional model. Students learn through hands on projects, outdoor leadership and core academics. Students will have an opportunity to take unique courses like wilderness medicine and workplace learning (community service and internship placements), while also getting to learn through day hikes, ropes courses, and backpacking trips throughout the year.
Academic Success
The TEAM Academy is designed to teach 11th and 12th grade students. As such, Team delivers academic courses consistent with Tamalpais Union High School District policy and requirements. Students take classes required for Juniors and Seniors , while also taking unique TEAM Academy classes like Wilderness Medicine and Workplace learning.
Mentorship-based
Workplace Learning
In the Fall, Seniors choose a community service placement of their choice for 3-4 hours a week! Students will get to leave campus for 7th period to go to their placements!
In the Spring, students choose an internship placement related to their career goals for 3-4 hours a week as well.
“TEAM inspired me to get ready to take the next steps after High School. It inspired me to value education for the purpose of learning and growing as a whole human, not just as a student. It taught me that I am capable of so much more than I could have imagined.”
— Zozo Peterson (TEAM 2019)
Wilderness Trips
The wilderness trips are the heart and soul of the TEAM Academy, and a defining aspect of the program. It is the time on the trail that brought the community together, and kindled tenacity and growth in each student. Students get to take a unique Wilderness medicine course. They go on 2-3 backpacking trips each year. In addition, they also go on monthly local hikes.
FAQs
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YES! Many Teamies participate in extracurriculars and athletics. The only time you would miss is during over night trips. Speak to your coaches ahead of time for trip dates.
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TEAM looks amazing on any resume for college, jobs, or for truly any life experience. There is truly nothing like it offered in public schools across our country. The diversity of experiences in the program speak for themselves. Wilderness experiences, leadership, internships , community service and more will serve you for life. Alumni have gotten into top colleges across the country and have also explored gap years and alternative options post high school. There is no one path , but Team will only open your options!
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Juniors will take 3 TEAM Academy classes along with other non-TEAM classes of their choice. Students will be with their TEAM teachers on Mondays and for the Wed/Fri block days.
Senior will take 3 TEAM Academy classes along with other non-TEAM classes of their choice. Students will be with their TEAM teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
See the ACADEMIC SUCCESS page for the list of current TEAM Academy classes.
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YES! In addition to the required TEAM Academy classes you can take any other classes that fit your schedule, including AP classes and classes offered at the College of Marin.
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NO! TEAM Academy is free for all students!
TEAM provides all gear for the backpacking trips. Students do not need to pay anything.We fundraise as a TEAM class for money for food and some other expenses.
We ask that students get hiking boots, but if you need to have these provided we can do that as well :)
Juniors 2023 TEAM Sierra Trip
video by Sydney Milstead
