Avenues The World School is a prestigious private institution in Silicon Valley with high tuition, innovative education philosophy, and unique teaching methods. It emphasizes interdisciplinary project-based learning for global-minded problem solvers. The Dean’s Program prioritizes student well-being. Bilingual education and cross-campus learning are promoted. While holistic development is the key, concerns include ongoing campus development and self-motivated learning. Avenues suits families valuing lifelong skills, soft skills, and innovation. Choice depends on philosophy alignment, valuing uniqueness, and student adaptability.

4 Important Conclusions of Avenues’ Educational Approach

1. Distinctive Philosophy and Methods: Avenues (Silicon Valley Campus) stands out as a premier private institution, characterized by a unique educational philosophy and innovative teaching techniques.
2. Interdisciplinary Learning Emphasis: The school’s core focus on interdisciplinary, project-based learning aims to foster problem-solving skills and a global mindset among students.
3. Student Well-Being Priority: The Dean’s Program underscores the school’s commitment to student welfare, offering mentoring and guidance throughout grades 6 to 12.
4. Ideal Fit and Concerns: While Avenues suits families valuing soft skills, global awareness, and innovation, there are concerns related to ongoing campus development and students’ self-motivation.

The exploration of Avenues’ attributes reveals a school dedicated to fostering holistic growth and preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

Basic Information About the School

Aspect	Details
School Name	Avenues: The World School
Founded	New York, 2012
Campuses	NY, São Paulo, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley
Age Range	2 to 18 years old
Graduating Classes	8 classes
Total Graduates	739 graduates
Silicon Valley Campus	8th-grade start, expanded to PreK-10th
Location	Temporary: Mission College, Permanent: 570 Meridian Ave
New Campus Completion	Expected next year

4 Features of School Curriculum

1. Interdisciplinary Approach

“We aim to cultivate problem solvers, and the challenges we face today are diverse. The required abilities are not based on single disciplines but on the integration of different fields.”

In brief, “interdisciplinary learning” and “project-based inquiry” can be considered the cornerstones and major features of Avenues’ education.

They believe that in traditional schools with subject-specific teaching methods (such as chemistry, physics, history), students struggle to connect knowledge with practical applications. When faced with complex problems, what students need most is not proficiency in a single subject, but the ability to integrate across disciplines.

Therefore, Avenues is not a school that focuses on academic competition, nor does it promote rote memorization of knowledge. Consequently, they do not use traditional curriculum systems like IB or AP. Instead, they have developed their own curriculum that emphasizes project-driven inquiry and interdisciplinary courses.

According to the school’s official website, apart from Chinese and Math teachers, there are a total of ten “Interdisciplinary Project Teachers.” In students’ schedules, there are designated “Interdisciplinary blocks”, each led by two teachers: one focusing on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) aspect, and the other on the “World” aspect (including humanities and social sciences). Students work with the guidance of these teachers to complete interdisciplinary projects.

Here’s an example: In one of the project-based classes, teachers assign a direct task to the students: “Create a homemade Kalimba thumb piano (a musical instrument from Zimbabwe) from scratch.”

To accomplish this project, students need to delve into African music culture and history, grasp foundational scientific knowledge about sound production and transmission in musical instruments, learn basic music theory, art design, how to use Photoshop, and even study the use of laser tools for cutting wood (as the base of the Kalimba thumb piano is made of wood). This project integrates knowledge from various fields. Furthermore, students are required to collaborate in playing music using the homemade instruments they created.

Projects for higher-grade levels might involve creating something like a “flying machine from scratch” or developing an “environmental program for a city,” illustrating the integration of different disciplines.

2. Discussion-Based Mathematics Classes

While many schools offer project-based courses, core subjects like mathematics often adhere to more traditional teaching and learning methods.

However, Avenues’ mathematics classes are primarily discussion-based.

From what we observed on the school’s official website, in a video clip of a math class, the teacher writes an equation on the whiteboard and prompts students to discuss and determine solutions themselves. Each student is required to participate and present their mathematical insights to the class. The teacher sits among the students, facilitating the discussion without taking on the role of the primary lecturer.

While we might not possess more extensive information or feedback about Avenues’ math classes, an inquiry-based math curriculum sounds like a bold choice. It also places high demands on math teachers.

They need to maximize students’ curiosity and desire for knowledge to effectively drive classroom discussions. Simultaneously, this instructional method presents a significant challenge to students’ fundamental math skills. This leads us to wonder if parents support the use of a discussion-based approach for teaching mathematics.

(If there are parents who have insights on this matter, we would love and appreciate your input for further discussion.)

3. Focus on Student Well-Being – Dean’s Program

Starting from 6th grade through 12th grade, each student at Avenues is assigned a “Dean,” who serves as a combination of a mentor, counselor, and college guidance advisor. Some students even refer to them as the “parents” within the school.

The role of the Dean varies based on each age group:

• In 6th and 7th grades, the emphasis is on helping students develop time management skills and fostering healthy social relationships.

• In 8th and 9th grades, the focus shifts towards cultivating better habits, including understanding the implications of smoking and alcohol. Deans also ensure the smooth progress of students’ academic pursuits and start discussing future direction choices.

•  By 10th to 12th grades, the Deans have a deep understanding of the students and provide more guidance in academic planning and college applications.

Many private schools indeed pay more attention to the psychological well-being of students during their developmental stages compared to public schools. It’s evident that Avenues has put considerable effort into this aspect, with their Dean’s Program serving as an example of their commitment to fostering student well-being.

4. World School: Immersive Bilingual Education + Cross-Campus Learning

The school’s full name is Avenues: The World School, and as the name suggests, it positions itself as an institution with a highly international perspective.

The school recognizes the crucial importance of being proficient in foreign languages to enhance international competitiveness. Therefore, Avenues aims to immerse students in a bilingual environment where they don’t just learn languages in isolation, but rather use both foreign and native languages to acquire other areas of knowledge.

Students at the New York campus are learning math in Chinese.

“At Avenues’ New York campus, the elementary school students split their learning time equally between English and a second language environment. For instance, they alternate between English and either Chinese or Spanish on a daily basis. This language immersion approach is also implemented in the Silicon Valley campus.

Furthermore, Avenues currently operates four campuses worldwide (New York, São Paulo, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley). Their global admissions policy ensures that when a student is admitted to one campus, they are simultaneously admitted to other campuses as well. This provides students with the opportunity to study in various locations around the world.

Every year, students have numerous opportunities, such as programs like J-term, to engage in exchanges and activities at different campuses. Additionally, parents need not worry about the impact of relocating on their child’s education. For instance, if a family moves from New York to São Paulo, their child can directly continue their studies at the São Paulo campus.”

Competitions and University Destinations

Driven by its overarching educational philosophy, the atmosphere for STEM competitions among Avenues students is relatively subdued.

Taking a broad view, in the past two years, there has been only one notable achievement in mathematics competitions, with a student from the Class of 2022 achieving a distinguished honor roll in the AMC 8 competition.

However, despite this, the university destinations for the eight graduating classes have been impressive. Among them, there were 11 students admitted to the University of Chicago, 9 to Stanford University, 2 to Dartmouth College, 4 to Harvard University, 1 to Princeton University, 12 to the University of Pennsylvania, 4 to Yale University, and 21 to Cornell University. Additionally, several students gained admission to other top liberal arts colleges. With a total of 739 graduates from all campuses over eight years, these numbers present a commendable proportion.

Our Thoughts

• Campus Tour and Impression: Our recent visit to Avenues’ Silicon Valley campus, currently in the midst of construction at 570 Meridian, provided insights into its upcoming facilities. Despite the ongoing construction, the completed buildings and layout conveyed a strong sense of the modern and technologically advanced environment that Avenues’ Silicon Valley campus is poised to offer.

• Early Development and Philosophy: Avenues Silicon Valley commenced its admissions process in 2022, making it a relatively new addition to the educational landscape. We express enthusiastic support for the school’s innovative educational philosophy, which places significant emphasis on project-based and interdisciplinary learning approaches.

• Current Concerns: As the campus is still in the developmental phase, certain aspects warrant attention. Notably, the campus is not fully established, and cultural as well as sports activities have not yet taken full shape. This may impact the establishment of competitive sports teams or clubs in the short term. This could especially affect earlier cohorts, requiring careful consideration for students with strengths in these areas. Moreover, the successful implementation of project-based learning relies on a capable teaching staff well-versed in various subjects. The quality of the teaching staff is crucial to ensuring effective guidance and support in the investigative learning process.

• Challenges in Project-Based Learning: Project-based learning, while fostering critical skills, places considerable demand on students’ self-motivation. Students who struggle with adaptability might find this approach challenging, particularly without sufficient teacher supervision and guidance. This might hinder their ability to fully grasp and apply complex concepts.

• Suitable Student Profile: Avenues’ educational approach aligns well with families who oppose a standardized test-driven educational model. It’s best suited for families valuing lifelong skills, soft skills development, global perspective, and innovation. Students with strong self-motivation, learning abilities, and a clear sense of their interests will thrive in this environment. Families considering relocation between Avenues’ various campuses may find it a seamless option, addressing concerns about learning continuity during moves.

How do you perceive Avenues’ educational philosophy and nurturing system? Are you supportive or have some concerns?

Avenues’ San Jose campus is currently in continuous development. After gaining a basic understanding of Avenues’ Silicon Valley campus, would you consider applying for this school for your child?

Curious to explore more about Silicon Valley private schools? Please check the past blogs listed below for valuable insights:

• Harker vs. Nueva: An In-depth Comparison Across 5 Key Aspects
• Stratford and Challenger School Comparison

To learn more about private school math readiness requirements, feel free to connect with Think Academy Silicon Valley Campus.