American educational institutions have existed with a 2 X 4 X 6 X 9 X 12 mentality for over a century. This mathematical formula simply means two covers to every book, four walls to every classroom, 6 periods to every day, nine months to each school year and 12 levels of attainment to graduate from high school. Additionally, American schools actually require less in terms of school days (number and length) than any other civilized society on earth. Yet, our society requires more to be taught in that frame of time than other societies.

Luther North has continually fought this problem by trying to stay at the cutting edge of educational endeavor by hiring quality teachers, providing professional development as well as 21st century learning opportunities involving the best technology money can buy. This means that textbook teaching and teaching to the test are not part of Luther North’s curriculum or practice. Learning is both interactive and collaborative for students and faculty as they work together to solve problems, critically analyze situations and propose possible solutions and have access to virtually the entire world of resources without leaving the building.

Instead of having a library separate from the world of the classroom, the library has transformed into an “Information Center” which not only has access to books (2 covers) but virtually anything including communication with professionals in the outside world. The Information Center also provides a multitude of resources for student projects.

Truly, the education received by each student along with the myriad of learning opportunities has transformed the century old mathematical formula above. Now  books may not have covers and while classrooms may have four walls but they do not stop the information that technology makes available. The creative schedule that provides a relatively flexible number of opportunities for students has never been six periods at Luther North. (Unfortunately we’re still working on the nine-month school year and twelve levels of schooling until graduation, because that is mandated by outside entities.)

Luther North will provide each student with the best opportunities possible to learn and achieve…the only thing that remains for you is to answer the question, “how much do you want to learn before graduation?”