Transitioning from a traditional school to an institution like HTH can be a big culture shock - for parents too! Below are questions we receive from parents year after year. For further questions or more information regarding your student's course work or progress, please contact teachers directly.
1. What is "project-based learning"?
Click here to learn more about project-based learning: "About Project-Based Learning"
2. I'm new to HTHNC - what should I do as a parent of a HTH student to further support my child?
Most parents that are new to the HTH system initially ask how they can support their student. Gone are the simple, familiar textbooks and worksheets, but just because your child is receiving an education that looks different from yours does not mean there is nothing you can do to help. See "About Project-Based Learning".
3. I would like to be actively involved either within HTHNC or my child's class(es) - what can I do?
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in your child's school. See "HTHNC Parents Association" if you are interested in being a part of school-wide events and fundraisers. See "HTHNC Athletics" or email our Athletics Director Bret Faber if you are interested in getting involved with sports.
In addition to classes, we also have many clubs at HTHNC, and this is a great way to get involved with your student after school, as many clubs meet outside of school hours.
4. Where can I find the details of my child's grades?
All grades are updated and submitted digitally via PowerSchool. For questions regarding specific assignments, please contact the instructor directly. Note that there are comments made on all grades in PowerSchool, so check there first for more information.
5. What if I don't know my PowerSchool login and/or password?
You can obtain all PowerSchool information from our Site Manager Sheila Van Metre. Teachers cannot reset passwords.
6. My child is struggling - what can I do?
10th grade can be a tough year, and is often the first year colleges will look at a GPA. Students sometimes struggle with the increased workload and academic language. The most important thing is that we identify the struggle early on so that we can try to resolve it. Here are some resources to keep in mind:
7. My child does not feel like they are being challenged at HTHNC - what can I do?
At HTHNC, we strive to support our students in becoming well-rounded, inquisitive, life-long learners. For many younger and newer students, this may be the first time they've been asked by a teacher to do such things. Without the traditions of tests and quizzes, many students struggle with identifying exactly what they have learned and how they have grown. Here are some resources to support students in this position:
8. How do grades work with projects?
This depends on the teacher, but typically there will be project benchmarks and a final exhibition that students must complete. Projects are worth more than individual assignments, but grading policies are determined by teachers and individual teams. See any teacher's syllabus for detailed information on how their grading works.
See HTHNC Student Handbook
Only a C- and above are considered passing at HTHNC. If a student receives a grade of a D+ or below in any of their courses, they will be required to make up the course through Summer School. There are a limited number of courses students can make up during Summer School, depending on the course. If a student does not pass enough courses, they will be required to repeat the grade.
9. What is the school's dress code?
See HTHNC Student Handbook.
Please avoid t-shirts, flip-flops, tank tops, short skirts, and short shorts for professional and safety reasons. For our labs, this will also be modified to include no open toe shoes, and long hair must be tied back.
10. What is an elective?
An elective is a course that students attend every Tuesday and Thursday and every other Wednesday from 2:30-3:30. Students sign up every trimester and the courses range from Academic Coaching and various sports (depending on the season) to ASB, yearbook, Model UN, yoga, flag football, etc. Electives are student-driven and some require a one year commitment. Talk to a staff member about starting an elective of your choice!
HTH ACRONYM GUIDE
Click here to learn more about project-based learning: "About Project-Based Learning"
2. I'm new to HTHNC - what should I do as a parent of a HTH student to further support my child?
Most parents that are new to the HTH system initially ask how they can support their student. Gone are the simple, familiar textbooks and worksheets, but just because your child is receiving an education that looks different from yours does not mean there is nothing you can do to help. See "About Project-Based Learning".
- Communicate - Use the teacher and student DPs for most current information, and project descriptions to talk to your student about what they are doing at school and what their needs are.
- Homework - Students should not have a great deal of assigned homework, but rather work for completing any remaining parts of a project; a majority of their project work is completed during class, which is why attendance is so vital!
- Classwork - Students will receive one to two hours of "Project Work Time" a day throughout the course of a project. Project Work Time is when students have the freedom and responsibility of working on their assignments as teachers guide them and answer questions along the way.
- Exhibitions - We have a lot of events that our students and teachers put together for our community, which includes you! Exhibitions are an opportunity for our students to display their hard work and discuss with members of our community what they have learned so keep an eye out for those. These can be located outside of the school (in fact, we often want our audience to be the general public), at school, or a combination of the two. Sometimes exhibitions of work are online as well.
- More questions or concerns? Contact instructors directly.
3. I would like to be actively involved either within HTHNC or my child's class(es) - what can I do?
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in your child's school. See "HTHNC Parents Association" if you are interested in being a part of school-wide events and fundraisers. See "HTHNC Athletics" or email our Athletics Director Bret Faber if you are interested in getting involved with sports.
In addition to classes, we also have many clubs at HTHNC, and this is a great way to get involved with your student after school, as many clubs meet outside of school hours.
4. Where can I find the details of my child's grades?
All grades are updated and submitted digitally via PowerSchool. For questions regarding specific assignments, please contact the instructor directly. Note that there are comments made on all grades in PowerSchool, so check there first for more information.
5. What if I don't know my PowerSchool login and/or password?
You can obtain all PowerSchool information from our Site Manager Sheila Van Metre. Teachers cannot reset passwords.
6. My child is struggling - what can I do?
10th grade can be a tough year, and is often the first year colleges will look at a GPA. Students sometimes struggle with the increased workload and academic language. The most important thing is that we identify the struggle early on so that we can try to resolve it. Here are some resources to keep in mind:
- Academic Coaching - Academic Coaching is like a Study Hall and is offered as an elective (See Question 11). It is also offered for an hour after school on Mondays through Thursdays. Check with your child's teachers for the most recent schedule.
- Office Hours - All HTHNC teachers have weekly Office Hours that are available to students and parents. This is an ideal time for students to receive one-on-one help, and the quiet classroom allows for students to focus and get work done. Ms. Lyman's Office Hours are Mondays 3:30-4:30PM and at lunch. If this time is not convenient for you, please email her to schedule an appointment.
- Talk to the Instructor - Encourage your student to approach the instructor during Office Hours. Allowing students to resolve issues on their own can be a first step to taking ownership of their success.
7. My child does not feel like they are being challenged at HTHNC - what can I do?
At HTHNC, we strive to support our students in becoming well-rounded, inquisitive, life-long learners. For many younger and newer students, this may be the first time they've been asked by a teacher to do such things. Without the traditions of tests and quizzes, many students struggle with identifying exactly what they have learned and how they have grown. Here are some resources to support students in this position:
- Challenge Options - Most projects and homework should be accompanied by "Challenge Options". These options may include but are not limited to more complex topics and/or increase in workload. Students are also strongly encouraged to talk to their instructors if they have their own Challenge Option ideas in mind. Challenge Options are not extra credit.
- Talk to the instructor - If your child still seems unhappy or unsatisfied about the curriculum, encourage them to talk to the instructors.
8. How do grades work with projects?
This depends on the teacher, but typically there will be project benchmarks and a final exhibition that students must complete. Projects are worth more than individual assignments, but grading policies are determined by teachers and individual teams. See any teacher's syllabus for detailed information on how their grading works.
See HTHNC Student Handbook
Only a C- and above are considered passing at HTHNC. If a student receives a grade of a D+ or below in any of their courses, they will be required to make up the course through Summer School. There are a limited number of courses students can make up during Summer School, depending on the course. If a student does not pass enough courses, they will be required to repeat the grade.
9. What is the school's dress code?
See HTHNC Student Handbook.
Please avoid t-shirts, flip-flops, tank tops, short skirts, and short shorts for professional and safety reasons. For our labs, this will also be modified to include no open toe shoes, and long hair must be tied back.
10. What is an elective?
An elective is a course that students attend every Tuesday and Thursday and every other Wednesday from 2:30-3:30. Students sign up every trimester and the courses range from Academic Coaching and various sports (depending on the season) to ASB, yearbook, Model UN, yoga, flag football, etc. Electives are student-driven and some require a one year commitment. Talk to a staff member about starting an elective of your choice!
HTH ACRONYM GUIDE
- SLC (Student Led Conferences) - Kind of like Parent/Teacher Conferences but at HTH, students lead the discussion and answer parents' questions. Teachers are present to facilitate the discussion. **Students - SLC can also be Student Led Comments, a letter you write to your teachers and parents at the end of the semester.
- POL (Presentation of Learning) - Depending on the teacher, the team and the grade level, this has been conducted in a variety of ways. In essence, it is an event at the end of the semester in which students display what they have learned in a public manner so that family and community members can watch.
- DP (Digital Portfolio) - Essentially a website but for students and teachers at HTH, it is a way to display what we are doing with the community and the world.
- KSH (Kind, Specific, Helpful) - We are a community of critique. Our students are constantly revising, giving each other feedback and striving to be better. To give our peers good feedback we use the norm "KSH" - always be kind, specific and helpful when giving feedback.