.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Macros
The Macro is the signature learning experience at the Mastery School and the evolution of an innovative course first introduced at Hawken's Upper School in 2013.
Each semester-long Macro occupies about half of a student's schedule and brings together multiple disciplines to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and habits needed to tackle complex, real-world problems.
Every Macro is built around a series of authentic challenges presented by experts and organizations in the community. During the first week of the course, students visit a community partner and are introduced to a real problem the organization is actively working to solve. From there, students work in teams of three or four to research the issue, analyze evidence, generate ideas, and develop meaningful solutions.
Throughout each challenge, teachers guide students through a variety of learning experiences, including seminars, research, discussions, expert interviews, readings, and presentations, that deepen their understanding of both the content and the problem itself. As students gain expertise, they spend increasing amounts of time collaborating independently before culminating each challenge with a 10–15 minute presentation to the community partner, who asks questions and provides feedback on their proposed solutions.
Individual challenges typically last two to five weeks, depending on their complexity. Each builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in previous challenges, culminating in a final challenge that asks students to apply everything they have learned throughout the semester to a complicated and impactful problem.
Over four years, a Mastery School student will typically complete eight Macros, one each semester, creating an extraordinary breadth of experiences that they carry into college and beyond. Each semester, students choose from five to seven different Macro offerings. While some are designed specifically for 11th or 12th graders, many bring together students from all four grade levels, fostering a collaborative community where younger students learn from experienced peers and older students develop leadership skills.
Quick Links
Follow Us
© All rights reserved Hawken 2023
