May Intensives 2008


At the end of each term, students will participate in intensives, which are extended periods of time dedicated to the study of one topic, subject or may involve assistance in making-up and reaching learning targets not met in previous term.

STUDENTS: Review each statement below. Consider carefully what your personal strengths and weaknesses are, and what you wish to develop in yourself. List your selections in order with #1 being your first request and #3 being your last request. We will fill requests by random drawing. Once a course is full, no changes can be made. Once you are assigned a course, you will be required to remain in that course. Schedule changes will not be made at a later date.

1. A Glimpse of South Africa
It is impossible to think that all cultural aspects of South Africa can be understood in one intensive, but selected Northpoint students will embark on a voyage to explore the rich land and culture of this country. Priorities include exploration of the land, visiting schools, studying residual impacts of apartheid, and service work. The approximate cost of this intensive is $3,000 - $4,000.  Students are expected to participate in fundraising activities to lower fees by approximately $2,500 per student.

2. Inspirational Arizona:   Beaver Creek Leadership Intensive
Through a five-day exploration of Beaver Creek students will develop the foundational leadership skills they will need to succeed as teens and future adults.   Learning about wilderness travel skills, Riparian ecosystems, backcountry trip planning, and small group dynamics student will develop an understanding of what it means to be a “leader.”  These experiences will allow students to explore their personal strengths and weaknesses in hopes of developing in them a deeper understanding of their potential to create and foster healthy relationships. This activity will cost approx. $40.00 for food and students will need lightweight, sturdy camping supplies (backpacks provided through a MAT Force grant!)

3. Space: The Final Frontier
In the space intensive students will focus on learning about our universe.  Students will mostly focus on our solar system and its governing principals (i.e. gravity). We will look at space exploration as it has occurred over the last half century. Fieldwork could include trips to Meteor Crater and/or the University of Arizona Astronomy Lab.  Also, students will be expected to do some nighttime observations both individually and also as a class.  Projects will include students making their own sundial, a scale-model of the solar system and keeping an observation journal.  The intensive may also include an investigation into the impact that the unknowns of space have had on our culture, especially through books and movies.  Fees: $10 + Meals during fieldwork.

4. The Freshest Kids: The art, culture, and social movement called Hip Hop
The intensive will meet on the Dexter campus field trip(s) to Phoenix and Tucson. Students will train in the four elements of Hip-Hop: Breakdancing, Graffiti, Emceeing (rapping), and DJing. Students will also study Hip-Hop through the critical lens of history, culture, art, and activism. This will be a physically demanding, academically rigorous, and wildly exciting intensive. The fee for this course is $15 plus the cost of meals on field trips.

5. The Nature of Art
During this intensive you will explore the relationship between Art and Nature through the medium of movement, sculpture, photography, touch drawing and abundant visual imagery.  Three artists we will study are:  Andy Goldsworthy, Deborah Koff Chapin and Andrea Olsen.  We will study techniques for dance choreography, photography and sculpture design, and investigate the principles of Art including:  design, support, weight, texture, space and flow of movement.  Students will be asked to write, draw, share and discuss their experiences in order to demonstrate their own unique process in creating art in collaboration with nature.  You will have the opportunity to choreograph, and create varied pieces of art with unique music, spoken word and sculpture.  There will also be a final culminating performance. This will be a mentally and physically demanding course, with body centered practices that focuses on strength and stamina.  Many of our classes will be held outdoors.  Some dance, movement, or sport experience is recommended but not required. We will be taking field trips to Jerome, Walnut Creek, West Clear Creek and Sedona for two-three day camping trips, workshops and performances. The mission of this course is to empower you through various mediums of art and creative collaboration in the performance arts in order to inspire authentic self-expression, motivation and community action.  The fees for this course will be approximately $75.  

6. Traditional (hand built) Native American Pottery
This is a two-week intensive designed to introduce students to the tradition of Native American pottery, specifically Navajo (Dine) and Hopi.  We will meet on the Dexter campus daily and depart on several day trips from there.  Visits to the Navajo and Hopi reservations as well as a trip to the Northern Arizona Museum in Flagstaff will highlight this intensive.  Students will explore a variety of hand building techniques and take part in an outdoor pit firing.  Possibly one night will be spent on the Navajo reservation at the Rocky Ridge School.  Students will be responsible for all meals daily and should come prepared in suitable walking shoes.  The approximate cost of the pottery intensive is $30.00 for supplies plus meals during fieldwork. 

7. Crime and Consequences
This intensive will be an overview of criminology.  Students will explore crimes such as murder, gang activity and drug use considering both historic and current viewpoints.  Students choosing this intensive will have a hands-on crime scene investigation (CSI) experience, visit Prescott Justice Court, the county morgue, and the FBI Headquarters in Phoenix, and volunteer for community service at a local charity. Students will also be invited (free of charge) to 2 self-defense classes at the YMCA. No charge, but students will need to pay for lunches and dinners on field work days.

8. Find Your Own Rhythm
This intensive focuses heavily on writing and technology standards and is designed for individuals that are interested in developing their musical talent.  Students will explore methods of generating lyrical content, will learn the basics of sound production, will organize a live concert, and will produce at least 2 original songs.  Students will learn about different styles of music and sound writing by interacting with several local musicians.  Basic percussion and guitar instruction will be available as part of this class. Student collaboration is encouraged for this class. Fee: $10.00 plus lunches and dinners during field work.

9. Cruzin’ the Salt River
Have you ever seen and felt the power of a class III and IV rapid? Come experience the Salt River on a five-day wilderness trip, covering over fifty miles of rapids such as the Eye of the Needle, Black Rock, the Maze, Pinball, and Quartzite Falls. Wild rapids are broken up with calm eddies and incredible scenery. Students will have the opportunity to take day hikes in the side canyons where they see quiet pools and spectacular waterfalls. Bring only your shades, Chaco’s and a sense of adventure! This trip will cost roughly $475.00 which includes all gear, equipment and food.  This is a fully-supporting trip with professional guide staff.

10. ACADEMIC REMEDIATION
This intensive is designed to support you in demonstrating the learning targets in your classes and earning credit towards graduation.  During this program students will adhere to the guidelines shown elsewhere in this packet.  You will be expected to work silently and independently throughout the entire assigned work period.  When your make-up work is completed you will be assigned enrichment work, which must be completed in order to receive credit for the course(s) that you are remediating.

STUDENTS THAT EARN AN ACADEMIC INCOMPLETE OR A CHARACTER MARK OF 1(one) IN ANY CLASS WILL BE PLACED IN REMEDIATION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND MUST ABIDE BY THE EXPECTATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES SHOWN HERE

  • All students will create a work plan, which includes an hourly schedule for addressing all make up work.  This work plan will be displayed on your desk
  • Students are expected to work silently and independently.  Plan to raise your hand if you need help or have a question.
  • You must remain in your assigned seat and work alone. 
  • You may not leave the classroom unless it is during your scheduled breaks. Plan to use this time wisely (restroom, drink, other business)
  • You will eat only during your regularly scheduled lunch time
  • This is a time for work.  You will not be allowed to sleep, write notes, read outside work, visit with others or play on the computer.
  • No music, headphones or computers will be used without written permission from the assigning instructor validating the need for such equipment.
  • When you have completed all of your assigned make up work you will be provided with teacher designed enrichment work.  This work must be completed in order to receive credit for the course.

FAILURE TO SHOW THE INTEGRITY TO ABIDE BY THESE EXPECTATIONS WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING CONSEQUENCES:
Step one- Warning from the supervising teacher
Step two- Time out from group
Step three- You will contact your parents to inform them of your behavior and your lack of progress towards earning credit.
Step four- Your parent will be asked to come and sit in class with you for a day; if they are unable to help us support positive behavior during school, you will receive an alternative consequence.