Upper School

Our emphasis on project-based learning provides students with a platform for pursuing passions and testing original ideas under the mentorship of people who are skilled practitioners of their craft, whether in the pottery studio or the organic garden or the engineering laboratory. Core courses in traditional disciplines like math, science, social studies and English are supplemented with studio and performing arts, physical education and a course called Interdisciplinary Studies or Consciousness, Connections, and Life Skills. Here students find connections between their subjects and with themselves through underlying universal principles. In other units, they examine stages of human development, explore the creative process, and identify and develop life skills to help fulfill their goals in life. This is “deep learning” that equips students with an uncommon understanding of themselves and their connection to a greater purpose.

A rigorous yet engaging and relevant academic program begins with excellent teachers, highly skilled in their own fields of expertise yet driven by their commitment to investing in the lives of young people. Working artists, entrepreneurs, financial managers, engineers, botanists and professional writers, for example, design courses based on best practices in their industries—and the passion they exude as they teach is palpable and contagious. Our faculty is anchored by a core of seasoned career educators who can be mentors to colleagues as we collaborate and co-create in the classroom and beyond.

For our students who require individualized attention, we offer English language support, college, and personal counseling, plus access to student services and professional development in best practices for our teachers. Because so many of our teachers have advanced degrees or specialized training in their subject areas, we have over 15 AP courses offered each year including Physics, Calculus AB/BC, English Language and Literature plus courses in the social and natural sciences, such as AP American History, Economics, Government, Environmental and Computer Science.

One of the best examples of academic rigor and success at Maharishi School are the Capstone presentations. These are the culmination of the work students did for their Global Solutions class. In some cases, the students have been interested in their projects for several years and have brought together community service and even science fair projects to design solutions that address a critical issue facing our world and our local community. Each team is judged by a panel of 3 – 5 members. Passing the capstone project and presentation is a graduation requirement, so this is high-stakes. Anne Walton, MIU alumna and former marine biologist with the US Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who continues to consult worldwide, has served as co-teacher and advisor on this project.

As we strive to remain abreast of valuable trends in education that increasingly give students choices, we are secure in the knowledge that we can link our students to wisdom and practices that transcend the ages.