Flexible Pathways at WRVHS

Flexible Pathways are avenues for learning and demonstrating skills and knowledge necessary not only to graduating from high school but also to becoming a well-rounded citizen able to engage fully in the world. Through Flexible Pathways, White River Valley High School provides opportunities outside, or in conjunction with, traditional courses. Flexible Pathways combine personalized learning, proficiency-based learning, and traditional coursework to foster the development of a successful WRVHS graduate

Flexible Pathways include the following avenues:

Independent Study

Virtual Study

Expanded Learning

Community-Based Learning

Career & Technical Education

Dual Enrollment & Early College

If you are interested in Independent Study, Virtual Study, or Expanded Learning, contact the Flexible Pathways Coordinator, Ben Boyington (bboyington@wrvsu.org).

To access Community-Based Learning opportunities, contact the Community-Based Learning Coordinator, Mindi Wimett (mwimett@wrvsu.org).

For Career & Technical Education or Dual Enrollment & Early College, contact the school counselor, Alex Wawrzyniak (awawrzyniak@wrvsu.org).

Student planning, growth, and reflection on learning will be driven by, and recorded in, their Wildcats Portfolio (personalized learning plan).

Flexible Pathways are mandated by the Vermont Agency of Education through Act 77 (2013), which also requires the implementation of personalized learning and proficiency-based education in schools across the state. This implementation also includes a personalized learning plan for every student–a tool for planning, exploring education and related ideas, and reflecting on learning and goals.

If you would like more information about Flexible Pathways programming at White River Valley High School, please contact the coordinator, Ben Boyington (bboyington@wrvsu.org).

Ben Boyington: Flexible Pathways
Portrait of a man, wearing glasses, sitting in an office, smiling.

Ben came naturally to the position of Flexible Pathways Coordinator at White River Valley High School: During his 18 years as a classroom educator, curriculum designer, and media literacy trainer, he kept his focus on student-responsive curriculum and student agency. Since joining the WRVHS faculty, he has worked with teachers, students, and the community to lay the foundations for a robust and exciting Flexible Pathways program–different, not easier. Capstone is a key part of this work, with growing attention being paid to the classroom foundations that contribute to that project’s success. We continue to refine and expand our programming, capitalizing on our work in proficiency-based education and the WRVSU Portrait of a Learner. The future is flexible!

Ben lives in New Hampshire with his wife, four cats (two pairs–ask him), a dog, and 12 chickens. Empty-nest syndrome has arrived in depth, as his daughter has begun her adult life and his son is in college. Ben decided to become a gardener in 2020, and chaos followed–but as he so often says, “Learning happens everywhere.” Plus, playing in the dirt is fun and soul-soothing! Ben can be reached at bboyington@wrvsu.org.

Mindi Wimett: Community Based Learning
Wildcat

Mindi has been teaching in our district since 2003. After graduating from UVM, she began her teaching career at South Royalton School (teaching elementary, middle, and high school classes) and joined the White River Valley Middle School faculty in 2018. She’s an avid Red Sox fan. She has visited 27 MLB ballparks. She also enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and snowboarding with her family. Mindi lives in South Royalton with her family and kitty. Mindi can be reached at mwimett@wrvsu.edu.

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