A high school experience like no other - preparing students for life through academic rigor, real world experiences, and meaningful social opportunities!
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 9TH & 10TH GRADES FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR!
WHY YOU'LL ❤️ THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AT FERNLEAF:
-
Rigorous academics preparing students for college & beyond
-
Small tight-knit high school experience
-
Smaller class sizes than typical high schools
-
Career exploration
-
Ample time for socialization & relationship building
-
Dual enrollment opportunities at BRCC, AB-Tech or NC School of Science & Math
-
AP, honors, & virtual course offerings
-
State & local diploma endorsements based on an individual's unique passions & aptitudes
-
Job shadow and internship opportunities

CAREER
EXPLORATION
Intentional career exploration and ongoing guidance along with job shadowing and internship opportunities help FernLeaf high school students develop their unique passions and aptitudes with an eye toward college & other post graduation options.

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
FernLeaf high school students have a myriad of opportunities for enhancing their learning and developing meaningful relationships through monthly fieldwork, domestic & international travel as well as overnight trips.

ATHLETICS & ADVENTURE SPORTS
Athletics & adventure sports options abound for our high school students including: mountain biking, backpacking, as well as traditional athletic options.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Friends, social experiences, and relationships in high school are an important part of the high school experience. FernLeaf students learn and develop skills to help them build healthy and supportive relationships, navigate life’s challenges, and build compassion and empathy for others.

SCHOOL CULTURE
FernLeaf recognizes the importance of friendships and relationship building during the teenage years and provides numerous opportunities for students to socialize both in and outside of the school day.

ELECTIVES
Students choose from a wide range of elective options including: Spanish, Astronomy, Robotics, Visual Arts, Music & Performing Arts & Outdoor Ed.

RIGOROUS ACADEMICS
FernLeaf’s rigorous academic program prepares students to meet state graduation requirements and earn a variety of Endorsements and Certifications preparing them for College and other life pursuits. Honors, Advanced Placement, Virtual & Dual Enrollment options supplement an already comprehensive course of study.

PREPARATION FOR LIFE
Building on all of the rich and varied opportunities of their high school experience, FernLeaf graduates are prepared not just for college and work, but also to navigate the complexities of adult life beyond high school.
FernLeaf is a strong community that teaches children more than just their core academics. Ever seen a young adult graduate and feel ill prepared for the real world...This is NOT the type of human that is cultivated in the incredibly supportive and thoughtful school environment at FernLeaf. Children are taught about their environment, outdoor skills, social-emotional regulation, how to grow in empathy and compassion, and mindfulness. There is also a strong focus on service and giving back.

High School Years at FernLeaf
FernLeaf graduates are prepared not just for college and work, but to navigate the complexities of adult life beyond high school.
FernLeaf High School students are eager to use their unique passions & aptitudes to explore the world and their relationships and start asserting their independence as learners, doers and people. FernLeaf's incredible Staff are eager to promote this deep learning through rigorous academic experiences, meaningful fieldwork opportunities, promotion of self exploration, after-school extracurricular activities, travel opportunities, and diverse elective opportunities.
High school is the time many students have been waiting for! Since FernLeaf strives to nurture the WHOLE person, not only will your high school student work academically towards graduation, but they will also have opportunities to engage as the thoughtful and compassionate members of society that they have become as they explore various ways they might develop their skills to be contributing members of their communities. Whether through employment, apprenticeship, college, trade school, entrepreneurship or other avenues, FernLeaf will guide them on their way!
FernLeaf also recognizes the importance of friendships and relationship building during the teenage years and provides numerous opportunities for students to socialize both in and outside of the school day. Even little things like intentional team building activities, extended lunch periods, and increased time between classes offer FernLeaf high schoolers opportunities to develop meaningful relationships during a critical juncture in their lives. Outside of the school day, students are provided with numerous fun and engaging social activities that provide supervised, safe, and structured environments for them to socialize, build relationships, and hone interpersonal skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives. The choices they make, the friends they connect with, and the relationships they develop during their high school experience have lifelong implications and the FernLeaf Community stands ready to support them.
High school academic programming at FernLeaf becomes increasingly specialized and complex while building on the content, knowledge, and skills developed during the middle school years. New levels of understanding, confidence, and academic capacity emerge and students become more capable and accomplished than ever before. Students use their increasingly sophisticated place in life to meet graduation requirements as well as earn recognition for their achievements through a variety of Endorsements and Certifications. Whether earning a North Carolina Academic Scholars Endorsement, a College/UNC Endorsement, an Outdoor Leadership Endorsement, or anything in between, FernLeaf High School students are supported in their individual pursuits and endeavors.
In addition to Core Academic and Elective courses needed to meet state graduation requirements, FernLeaf provides advanced opportunities including Honors, Advanced Placement courses, Dual Enrollment options, Independent Study opportunities, as well as support in finding or creating internship, workforce development, and/or certification opportunities.
FernLeaf’s rich and meaningful High School experience culminates in the unfurling of a student who is not only ready to meet their post graduation goals, but also LOVES learning and is a thoughtful, compassionate and engaged member of their community!
Sample Daily Schedule
(NOTE: times & periods may vary)
*FernLeaf Extended (FLEX) Passing Period is an important time for socialization and rejuvenation where students can connect with friends, follow up with teachers, rest, have a snack, and generally reset & prepare for their next class. Typical High School passing periods are 3-5 minutes.
**FernLeaf Exploration (FLEX) Class Period provides students with a designated period for Advisory, additional support from teachers, study hall, and other structured activities & opportunities.