Quest to Learn

Mission
Design and innovation are at the heart of Quest to Learn, New York's school for digital kids. Out of school we are seeing a radical expansion of the collaborative and creative capacities of young people who are eager to learn and participate. Quest responds by balancing traditional academic needs with the reality that students today can and do learn in different ways, often through work with digital media, games, online networks, and mobile technologies. Quest will open with a 6th grade class in Fall 2009.

Quest supports a dynamic curriculum that uses the underlying design principles of games to create highly immersive, game-like learning experiences for students. Games and other forms of digital media also model the complexity and promise of “systems.” Understanding and accounting for this complexity is a fundamental literacy of the 21st century.

The school’s learning model is carefully designed to enable all students, regardless of any academic challenges they bring, to contribute to the design and innovation necessary to meet the needs and demands of a global society. At Quest, a curiosity for learning paired with a commitment to social responsibility and respect for others defines the school culture. Learn how, learn now is our motto.

Quest fosters the type of learning that is possible today—learning based on access to online resources and tools from around the globe, learning that supports customized content for every student on demand, learning that is game-like in its ability to inspire and motivate.

Key Features

  • Excellence in Teaching
  • Rigorous Academics/College Prep
  • Inquiry-based learning around real world challenges
  • Enhanced Literacy and Math instruction
  • Digital Youth Network and media arts program
  • Integrated Wellness curriculum
  • Daily Home Base advisory periods
  • Internships and Career Education starting in the 8th grade
  • Early College Program
  • Students can earn college credits while in school
  • College Visits
  • Professional Trajectories


Curriculum
Within Quest’s integrated curriculum traditional and 21st century literacies merge—students “learn by doing” through coursework focused on helping students make connections between ideas and skills in everyday contexts. Enhanced Literacy and Math instruction occurs daily and all students have opportunities to gain expertise in reading, writing, and designing with digital media, including taking courses in computer programming, media arts, and game design. A fully integrated Wellness curriculum supports students in achieving healthy hearts, minds, and bodies.

A Standard’s-based Curriculum
Students study within an integrated curriculum that explores the world through the lens of “systems,” allowing them to take a fresh look at subject matter in ways that prepare students for the demands of college and career in the 21st century. Students will gain greater understanding of core concepts by revisiting them year after year within a carefully sequenced curricular program.

Learning to Be
Students are supported in learning not only content knowledge but also in learning the types of problem-solving, interpersonal, and technology skills critical to success in the 21st century. Internships and a robust industry mentorship program allow students opportunities to learn alongside experts as part of their coursework.

Student Support Structures
A curriculum-driven student advisory program (Home Base), extended day programs (both a.m and p.m.), daily workshops in numeracy and literacy for struggling students, to address incoming students who may not be adequately prepared, and service learning opportunities support Quest’s goal of ensuring academic success for all students.

Key Partners
Quest’s partners—The Institute of Play, Pearson, and The New School—will offer students and teachers unprecedented access to new kinds of learning tools to support student achievement, youth identity development, and preparation for college and/or career. The John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation will provide research support, as part of its ongoing work in Digital Media and Learning. The New York City Partner Support Organization is
New Visions for Public Schools.