Other Electives

Winsor Action Research Cohort (0.5 credits, yearlong, pass/fail)

The Winsor Action Research Cohort (WARC) is a minor course that focuses on student participatory action research, a type of research that challenges students to formulate and research a question that will benefit the Winsor community as a whole. Students will learn about social science research, including the differences between canonical and modern methodologies, design a process to explore their question, gather data (quantitative and qualitative), and analyze, synthesize, and communicate their results. Throughout the course, students will work collaboratively to identify potential areas of interest and opportunities for action. After developing their research question, they will explore possible methodologies for data collection and analysis, and will engage with community members and experts in the field. The students’ research will culminate in a group research paper and a presentation. Students who sign up for this course will be contacted with an application form. Students who are selected will be scheduled based on availability. Open to students in Class VII. Minor electives are meant to be taken in addition to a full course load of five major courses. Students who would like to take two minor courses in the same semester must submit a petition for an additional minor course (see appendix for petition process).

Finding your Footing: Personal Finance 101 (uncredited, spring, pass/fail)

This introductory course is designed to equip high school seniors with the essential skills and knowledge to make informed financial decisions in their personal lives. As students transition into adulthood, understanding how to manage money effectively is crucial. In this course, students will explore topics such as budgeting, saving, understanding credit, investing, and managing debt. They will learn how to create and manage a personal budget, develop smart saving habits, and make choices that will set them up for financial success in the future. Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of the importance of budgeting and will learn about topics including credit scores, interest rates, and the impact of debt. We will use real-life financial situations and ask students to analyze and propose solutions to demonstrate problem-solving skills and tools that students can use immediately to start managing their finances wisely. By the end of the course, students will feel confident in making everyday financial decisions and will have a solid foundation to continue learning about personal finance in their adult lives. Open to Class VIII. This course meets once per cycle. No petition is required in order to take this course alongside a course load of five major and one minor courses.

Class VIII Independent Learning Experience

A graduation requirement introduced in 2008, the Independent Learning Experience (ILE) gives Winsor seniors an opportunity to pursue a specific interest independently. Students design their own projects, guided by a faculty seminar leader and a mentor/supervisor in an area of interest. Winsor students engage in the ILE during the final month of their senior year.

The ILE encourages seniors to explore their passions by pursuing projects of their choosing. Students can complete an off-campus internship, conduct research, engage in the arts, or serve in the community, among other things. Perhaps most importantly, the ILE seeks to give students a chance to rely on their own self-discipline and motivation to accomplish their objectives, which include a final product that synthesizes their learning. Each project also includes repeated opportunities for reflection. The ILE culminates in presentations by students to their peers, their parents, and the greater school community. The independence of these projects helps to prepare seniors for the transition from secondary school to college. 

ILE Seminar (uncredited, spring, pass/fail)

This course is designed to help students prepare for their ILE projects and is required for all Class VIII students. Students work with a seminar leader on designing and planning a project to be executed in May. Seminars meet two times per cycle. With guidance from their ILE leaders, students will write their own mid-semester comments and complete a self-evaluation of their learning habits.