The Team Academy at Archie Williams High School
What is Team?
The Team Academy is a unique learning experience for juniors & seniors at Archie Williams High Schoo!
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 2 year model.
** The Team Program has been part of the Tamalpais Union HIgh School District since 1990**
Experiential Learning
Team focuses on learning 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.
Academics
The Team Program 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 will take required classes for juniors and seniors , while also taking unique electives like Wilderness Medicine and Workplace learning
Workplace Learning
In the fall, students 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 will choose an internship placement related to their career goals for 3-4 hours a week as well.
“Team inspired me to 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 Exploration
The wilderness trips are the heart and soul of Team, 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 will get to take a unique Wilderness medicine course. They will go on 2-3 backpacking trips a year. They will also go on monthly hikes in their local areas.
Changes Lives
The Team Program ran in the Tamalpais Union High School District since 1990. It formally 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.
Team 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.
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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Students in the 1st year of the program will take 3-4 classes within the program. Students will be with their Team teachers on Mondays and for the Wed/Fri block days.
Courses they will take:
Wilderness Medicine
English
Leadership
Workplace learning (optional year 1: Community service and Internship placement)
Classes required outside the program (year 1)
Chemistry
Math (your placement)
Social Studies (U.S. History)
other class of their choice (or optional workplace learning)Item description
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YES! Right now within the program is a non AP option for English, but you could take AP options for science, social studies and math or an elective.
Many team students choose to take language or another option at COM ! (one semester of language at COM = one year of HS Language) -
NO! IT IS FREE!
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 :)
How to Apply
Info Sessions will occur for students on the following dates:
Course workshops 1/19 and 1/20
Tutorial for all sophomores on 1/25
Lunch meeting on 1/26
Open house for families at night on 1/26
If interested sign up for the following courses on synergy with your counselors:
Wilderness Medicine, English (Humanities/World Lit), and Leadership (Team’s own course)
Juniors 2023 Sierra Trip: Video by Sydney Milstead
