Collaborative Pods

  • Ages: older 7 through 8 (CP1), 9 through 10 (CP2), 11 to 13 (CP3), older 13-15 (CP4)

  • Days Offered: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30am-2:30pm

  • Cost: $8,000 annually (CP1), $8,200 annually (CP2 & CP3), $8,400 (CP4)

Collaborative Pods is a two-day program that meet on both Tuesday and Thursday. 

Collaborative Pods (CP) are designed to expose youth to a variety of activities that focus on incorporating applied academics, while promoting a pro-social learning environment. Emphasis is placed on conceptually understanding the material, rather than memorization and regurgitation. Throughout the day, youth work together as a group, in small clusters, and individually. Collaboration among peers is encouraged as youth tackle intellectually rich activities, grapple with challenging problems, and seek to investigate and understand the world around them. Problem-solving, scientific inquiry, and a belief in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences provide the framework for these programs. Facilitators work in conjunction with one another to ensure that each CP serves as a natural stepping stone for the next age group. 

Facilitators design content that is both developmentally appropriate and contextually relevant. Youth are encouraged to share their voices, helping to shape the focus of their program. The goal is to strike a balance between exposing youth to content-areas and concepts that they may not naturally gravitate towards (or even be aware of), and to incorporate their wishes and interests to create a learning platform that is meaningful and engaging. Some topics are one-time experiences, while others span multiple weeks. 

All CP groups will spend time outside, taking advantage of the stimulating landscape that the natural world provides.

While the framework for each CP has similarities, there are specific hallmark projects that are unique to each age-group. These long-term projects afford youth the chance to delve more deeply into a certain content area, both in program and at home.

Each Collaborative Pod group will incorporate annual individual and group projects focusing on the humanities and sciences. The purpose of these projects are manifold. At CA, we want the young people to develop their voices and express themselves thoughtfully and with conviction. These projects develop research, writing, and public speaking skills while also building each year in sophistication and academic rigor. A CA graduate will have the experience of knowing how to do in-depth research, using diverse and high quality sources, follow appropriate citation styles, and express their arguments and conclusions using dynamic, multi-media presentations.