- Emphasis on laboratory-based learning. The majority of students learn best from real projects. Minuteman integrates academic skill development into both lab week projects and separate academic courses. Students love this variety.
- Powerful career exploration to gain college and career focus. No gift can better help a student gain purpose and focus in life than helping the student discover the type of career area he or she will truly enjoy. No area school has a more comprehensive career exploration program than Minuteman with its four divisions; Academics, Technical (science-logic focused), Commercial and Human Services (people focused), and Construction/Power (build and repair focused). Once a student finds a path that he or she will enjoy, the power of this focus can be an amazing factor in both college and career success. Minuteman graduates know why they are going to college and what they want to accomplish.
- Strongest science-technology programs in Massachusetts. Minuteman specializes in science and technology. All students take four years of relevant science. The school offers special paths for students interested in:
• Any high tech college major (Prep Tech)
• Electromechanics
• Biotechnology and medicine
• Engineering
• Environment control
• Telecommunications
• Electronics and computer repair
• Computer programming
• Computer-aided design
No matter what career area a student eventually pursues, his or her science background will be helpful.
- Teachers who teach to YOUR way of learning. Minuteman staff members have gained national recognition for teaching effectively to the different learning styles and talents of different students. You can learn more about different learning styles and talents by selecting the LEARNING TOPICS button. Most importantly, be aware that Minuteman teachers help most students to accelerate learning and to discover that learning can be fun.
- College articulation contracts that can save money. Each division in the school has college articulation agreements that allow students to earn college credits while in high school. College-bound students should explore these options carefully. Some students are also allowed to begin full-time college study in their senior year.
- Beneficial business and industry partnerships. Every area of the school operates with business and industry partners. These partners help ensure curriculum relevancy, support the school with advice and equipment and donations and provide both internships and future employment opportunities to students. It is not at all unusual for a student to be an intern in his senior year, work part-time (summers, etc.) for the same company while attending college, and then become an experienced employee for the company after college graduation.
- A truly comprehensive program of studies. As the only area high school authorized to offer both college preparation courses and state-approved technical courses under Chapter 74 of the General Laws, Minuteman is able to provide relevant and interesting course options to a broader range of students than can be done in most high schools.
- National Skills Competition. Many Minuteman students compete in annual skill contests on a regional state and then national basis. Our individual students and teams have regularly won gold medal or first place finishes in areas ranging from robotic control (Detroit engineering competition) to collision repair to baking. This national competition adds a unique and exciting dimension to the standard teams (math, debate, etc.) and extra-curricular activities available at Minuteman and other high schools. Students who win in national competition are truly among the world's best.
- Quality management and entrepreneurship training. Minuteman operates as a workplace where the product is continuous improvement in learning. Every new student is given special guidance training on this in his or her first two weeks of school and then:
- Each student is expected to complete a curriculum of continuous improvement (i.e., quality management) skills across a three or four year period. This includes becoming familiar with the models of W. Edwards Deming and using statistical analysis in preparation for competition in the worldwide global economy.
- The school and each career area places an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Each student is viewed as his or her own company and is asked to make the company as competitive and strong as possible. Many students take one or two years of a course called English for the Entrepreneur; this course develops the understandings, business planning skills, and computer use skills needed to operate a business.
- A Cosmopolitan Environment. Since students from thirty or more communities attend Minuteman, those from our sixteen member towns get to meet, interact, and develop respect for members of one of the most diverse student bodies in Massachusetts. The staff uses this opportunity to help students build the multicultural skills that are fast becoming a basic requirement of the global economy.
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