Our Approach

Creating Safe and Collaborative Spaces for Learning and Growth

It is imperative that students feel safe at school in order to learn and grow. Quest Forward High School provides a structured and supportive learning environment rooted in high expectations because we know that’s how students thrive.

Being part of a community helps students feel like they belong. We require uniforms as a daily reminder that students are part of our broader school community working towards common goals. Uniforms also serve as an equalizer, and keep students focused on what matters most.

We expect students to meet attendance, engagement, and achievement goals and we monitor their progress weekly. We also track progress towards graduation requirements, community service hours, and portfolio completion on a quarterly basis.

Physical safety is also a top priority at Quest Forward High School. Our selective admissions process, community norms, and high expectations prevent many of the behavioral and safety issues faced by local schools. All staff members are required to attend mandatory safety, security protocol, and crisis prevention training every school year. Additional safety practices include secure exterior doors, a monitored entranceway, strong hallway supervision, and regular fire and emergency drills.

Achieving Academic Excellence

Quest Forward High School offers rigorous and robust academic programming with a focus on active engagement and postsecondary readiness. Engagement is more than mere participation—it’s about ownership, investment, and taking the lead in the learning process.
We have high expectations for our learners and tirelessly support our students to ensure they can meet the expectations we set. Frequent, growth-oriented feedback is central to our approach, helping students reflect on their progress, refine their skills, and take greater ownership of their learning journey.

Active and Engaged Learning

At Quest Forward High School, we know that students learn and grow best when they are actively engaged. Engagement is more than mere participation—it’s about ownership, investment, and taking the lead in the learning process. We create the conditions for students to thrive and hold ourselves accountable by assessing engagement in every class, every day.

Students actively learn and engage in the work they do by:

• asking questions and seeking answers;
• investigating and solving meaningful problems;
• exploring and defining their interests, strengths, and career paths;
• discussing and debating ideas with peers;
• collaborating with people at school and in their community;
• creating products to express original ideas, knowledge, and skills;
• reflecting on what they do, think, learn, and need to do to improve; and
• taking actions to improve their work and skills.

Students take ownership of their learning by planning and making decisions about what and how they learn. These skills and habits enable their success in higher education and their careers, and have a lasting effect on their ability to achieve their goals.

What I Need (WIN) Program

All of our students participate in WIN, which is extra time with their teachers. Students are encouraged to sign up for 45-minute sessions to work on areas where they need some extra support. WIN functions as a tool for fostering ownership of learning. It promotes student-driven support, encouraging students to take charge of their own learning by recognizing what they need and requesting WIN time.

WIN helps students develop skills in:

• Time management
• Organization
• Study skills
• Agency and ownership

Intersession

All of our students participate in a two-week Intersession program that takes place between the fall and spring semesters. It’s a dedicated time for students to choose electives that allow them to focus on areas of interest or courses where they need additional support. These include mock trials, CPR certification, math intervention, and accelerated courses where students earn class credits.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders

All students will participate in our service leadership development program throughout their time at Quest Forward High School. These leadership opportunities for our high school students encourage them to be active members of their communities, teach them how to be valuable contributors to public spaces, expose them to different experiences, and will stand out on their resumes and transcripts. Student experiences are captured in their digital portfolios and are an integral part of their Capstone presentations near the end of their senior year. These portfolios also become an integral part of their college and work applications.

Service Leadership Development for All Grades

Grade 9 and 10 Students

All students will participate in service projects with their local communities. These projects will focus on helping students develop empathy for others while also advancing their leadership skills. During these experiences students will work collaboratively with their peers, and will have completed 20-hours of community service by the end of 10th grade.

Grade 11 and 12 Students

Students in grades 11 and 12 will continue to participate in service projects. While doing so, they’ll take on more independent roles, will have opportunities to mentor younger students, and will complete 40-hours of community service prior to graduation.