Accountability, Agency, and Action: Session 6 Begins

spark studio

This week, our focus is on leadership and taking responsibility within our Studio community. Learners are practicing what it means to take ownership of their space, their work, and their impact on others. Through rotating classroom roles and daily responsibilities, they are learning that leadership is not about control, but about service, awareness, and care for the community around them.

We are also excited to share that we have welcomed a new learner, Miles, to our Studio family. He is already quickly making friends and has shown a genuine passion for learning the rhythms and culture of our Studio. We are so glad he is here!

At the same time, we have said goodbye to a deeply loved learner whose family is moving all the way across the world to Australia. While we will miss Fletcher greatly, we are grateful for the time we shared and wish his family an incredible new adventure ahead.

Share time has become increasingly popular, and we are excited to restructure it in a way that builds both confidence and literacy skills. To support phonemic awareness, we will now focus on a specific sound each week. Learners may bring something that begins with that sound on their assigned day. This could be:

Something they created (for example, a “b” book they made)
Something found in nature (like a leaf for the “l” sound)
A fun fact about a topic that begins with the focus sound, shared with a picture or drawing and a few written sentences

Each learner will be given a specific day to share so they have time to prepare thoughtfully and practice presenting clearly to the Studio. Toys will not be accepted.

Share Schedule:

Mondays – Abel, Alyse, Aria, Aspen, Boden, and Carter
Tuesdays – Charleigh, Claira, Dakota, Daren, and Wynnie
Wednesdays – Emilia, Ezra, Felicia, Ishvi, and Kendrick
Thursdays – Liam, Moon, Mecca, Mia B., Mia M., and Miles
Fridays – Phoenix, Rowan D., Rowan T., Safi, and Sammy

Sound for the week of March 2nd–6th is “A.”

Level 1 learners will have a different share challenge. This will be shared with them directly on Fridays, and it will be their responsibility to bring a share based on their challenge.

As always, thank you for partnering with us as we cultivate independence, responsibility, and joy in learning within our Studio community.

lower elementary studio

Welcome to Session 6! As we continue anchoring our learning in this year’s Overarching Question — How is the World Changing, and How Can I Grow Myself Up in It? — this Session focuses specifically on taking full responsibility. Learners are practicing ownership of their work, their environment, their goals, and their impact on others.

In Quest, learners are exploring how soda is made as they prepare to design their own soda, sorbet, or ice cream for Exhibition, experimenting with carbonation, flavor balance, and measurement while blending science, math, and entrepreneurship. In Story Arts, this work connects directly to a Shark Tank-style Exhibition, where learners are designing persuasive visuals and marketing images to effectively pitch their products. In Civilization, we began studying the Sun Kingdoms, examining how geography, leadership, and culture shaped these societies and influenced their development.

We also implemented our new Studio Maintenance system. Instead of individual jobs being assigned, learners now work within professional departments that mirror real-world roles. Supervisors provide oversight and accountability, Custodial Services focus on cleanliness, Building Services manage shared spaces, Facilities Operations organize the physical environment, and Library and Media Services care for instructional resources. Squads collaborate to complete their responsibilities, and their teamwork, communication, and work ethic play a significant role in determining which Squad is named Squad of the Week.

During Check-Ins, learners consistently discuss Badge Plan progress. A new visual tracker has been placed in the Studio to show who is Behind, On Track, or Ahead, alongside Lexia and Zearn trackers that are updated in real time. These tools help learners take responsibility for their growth and stay focused on their goals.

Curious how your learner is doing? You have access to their Check-In summaries, which provide insight into their goals, progress, and reflections. We encourage you to review these regularly and use them as a springboard for meaningful conversations at home about responsibility, growth, and ownership.

Session 6 is off to a strong start, and we look forward to seeing the creativity and leadership that will shine at Exhibition!

upper elementary studio

A Strong Start

We’ve got a really exciting session ahead, and Week 1 set the tone beautifully.

Quest
Learners began our Sensory Chemists Quest by meeting our expert, Maria Aguilar, a music therapist who introduced them to the real sensory needs of some of her clients, including people with autism and Down syndrome. Learners learned how sound, texture, and vibration can be supportive—or overwhelming—depending on how a brain processes sensory input.

From there, learners stepped into the role of designers. Their challenge is to create instruments that meet specific needs, including:

An unbreakable drum
A three-finger instrument
An instrument that can be used with the mouth for sensory stimulation
A quiet, portable instrument

They’ll also be learning brain science, focusing on how neurodivergent brains respond differently to stimuli. This week was all about brainstorming and ideation; next week, they’ll move into designing and building.

Materials needed! We would love donations of paper towel rolls, rubber bands, cardboard, foam, and any other build-friendly materials you’re willing to share.

Story Arts
We officially launched work on our play, and the energy was high. Actors are beginning the hard (and important) work of memorizing lines. Swordfighters started choreographing their scenes, sound engineers began building soundboards, and designers created prop lists and began imagining the backdrops.

We’re also excited to have Ms. Amanda joining us to support design work. She’ll be helping with building and painting backdrops—and yes, the mecha-dragon is officially underway.

Civ
In Civ, learners began our session on medieval Africa, starting with the story of possibly the richest person in history: Mansa Musa. Learners explored how, during his travels, he spent so much gold in Cairo that he caused inflation. Using primary source data about the number of camels he brought on his journey, learners worked through the math to estimate how much wealth he distributed. (Spoiler: it was an absurd amount.)

Other News
We welcomed a new learner council on Wednesday! This council is intentionally structured to include heroes who have not yet served this year (with the exception of the secretary role, which can repeat). The council will be working on new Studio structures, including revisions to the strike system and Studio maintenance processes.

Currently, by learner choice, Guides notice contract violations and use a strike-column system. Some learners are interested in shifting strike assignment to heroes, and the council will be tasked with designing clear guardrails to ensure this system supports the Studio rather than creating new challenges.

Overall, Session 6 is off to a thoughtful, creative, and ambitious start—and we can’t wait to see what learners build next.

middle school studio

Taking Full Responsibility: Middle School, Session Six, Week One

Session Six in Middle School is anchored in our Question of the Year: How is the world changing, and how do I grow myself up in it? Our focus this session is taking full responsibility.

This week, that question moved from words on a wall to real conversations in Launch and real decisions inside the Studio.

During Launches, learners reflected on what responsibility actually looks like in a learner-driven environment. Not just finishing work—but owning outcomes. Not just participating—but contributing. Not just noticing problems—but stepping up to solve them.

That mindset is being tested in this session’s Quest:

This session, our Middle School learners are taking on a real “summer rescue mission” for local candy shops: Pecan Jack’s and River Street Sweets. When heat and humidity spike, candy can turn sticky, grainy, or lose its perfect snap—and our learners are working to help prevent it. Acting as food scientists and R&D teams, they’ll investigate what moisture actually does to sugar and other candy ingredients (from crystallization to ingredient stability), then use math to fine-tune ratios, redesign recipes, and compare results across controlled tests. Expect plenty of hands-on experimenting, data tracking, and bold iteration as teams race to develop solutions that could hold up in Georgia’s summer weather. The project ends with a client-ready report and a live demonstration for the candy shop owners, where learners will present evidence, explain the science behind their decisions, and pitch their best recommendations.

In the Studio this week, responsibility looked like:

Apologies and making things right
A new Council stepping up to lead
Discussing when taking responsibility is hard
Learners sending in pitches for new Passion Projects, from American Sign Language to medical care

Taking full responsibility means choosing ownership in each of those moments.

This Quest is about chemistry, yes. Learners are exploring crystallization, ingredient stability, moisture interaction, and mathematical ratios. But it’s also about something deeper.

Responsibility in Middle School means:

Owning your preparation
Owning your role on a team
Owning your mistakes
Owning your growth
Owning the effect your words and actions have on others

By the end of the session, learners won’t just submit work on JourneyTracker. They will stand in front of real business owners and defend their thinking with evidence.

That’s accountability.
That’s agency.
That’s taking full responsibility.

After School: Session Six Opportunities

Our After School program for ages 7–14 blends movement, creativity, and hands-on learning in an engaging, growth-focused environment.

Session Six Schedule:

Mondays (3:30–5:45 PM) – Intro to Softball with Coach Jamal
Build skills, teamwork, and confidence on the field.
Tuesdays – STEM Problem Solving
Tackle real-world challenges using design thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
Wednesdays – French Games
Learn French through interactive games that make language joyful and memorable.
Thursdays – Youth Yoga
Strengthen the body, focus the mind, and reset after a full day.

Each session is active, enriching, and designed to help learners explore, build, play, and grow after school.

Check out www.theforest.school/afterschool to register.

high school studio

Session 6: Spring Momentum Begins

We are officially back from Winter Break and stepping confidently into Session 6! The energy in the Studio has been strong, focused, and ready for a productive spring.

Civilization: The World Wonders
We kicked off the session with our first badge in Civilization — The World Wonders. Learners are diving into the impact, design, and historical significance of wonders across the globe. The depth of research and discussion has already been impressive.

Next week, we transition into Story Arts, where learners will shift from analyzing powerful human creations to crafting powerful stories of their own.

Running Partners: Raising the Bar
Running Partner systems are in full swing, and we are on a roll.

The Guides have implemented stronger structures around:

Deliverables in badge challenges
Scheduled times for feedback
Clear approval windows for hero work

As a result, the quality of submissions is improving significantly. We are seeing a real standard of excellence begin to take shape in the high school Studio. Learners are holding one another accountable, and feedback cycles are becoming sharper and more intentional.

This is what ownership looks like.

Protected Core Skills Time — With Adjustments
We continue to fiercely protect core skills time. That commitment has not changed.

However, we also listened carefully to learner feedback. Many asked for more specific time blocks dedicated to certain subjects (for example, Science from 10:00–11:00 rather than a broad “core skills” block).

The Guides adjusted the schedule accordingly, and so far, it appears to be working well. Learners are reporting greater focus and clarity around expectations during those designated times.

Structure + voice = progress.

Important: Added Practical Times
The Guides will be adding more practical time to the schedule in the coming weeks.

Please make sure you and your learner are paying close attention to Slack announcements, as that is where all additional practical times will be posted.

Staying informed ensures no one misses important opportunities.

As we move deeper into spring, the Studio feels different — sharper, more focused, and increasingly driven by excellence.

We are excited for what Session 6 will produce.

Let’s keep building!

Session 6: Year 8, WeeK 24 In Review