The menu at the left has been tailored to provide links with answers to the most common questions about courses and registration at SES. With these links you can browse the curriculum and schedule of the building.

The most common confusion for new students are the workings of the house and the block schedule. Traditional schools follow schedules that place students in discipline-based studies throughout the day. Generally, the schedule is the same from one day to the next.

SES uses a blocked schedule. Its blocks of learning are 90 minutes long with four blocks during each school day. All elective classes meet every other day for one block. This allows for longer periods of study and some advantage of time as less passing time between classes is used.

Half of each day is spent in a problem-solving based study that incorporates the concepts and skills of English, communication, environmental science, and social studies. These two-block periods are called "house" after the "academic house" concept that has emerged from applications of brain research over the past few decades. In "house" students investigate complex issues related to humans and environments while learning the core subject matter.

Remember, prospective students and their parents are always welcome to visit the school to see it in action. Our unique and highly effective learning environment is best experienced firsthand.

Welcome to the registration process at SES!

A list of helpful links should have appeared on the left. These links will get you to places that should answer most of your questions. Let's walk through the process...

Registration dates are listed in the school calendar. A copy is available on-line for you to download. Note that registration forms from incoming juniors are collected either at the registration open house or during your second registration homeroom. Senior registration forms from new students should be mailed to, or dropped of at, the office.

Start with the registration forms. If you are missing a form simply download it. You have decisions to make in three areas.

House is your two- block study of environmental issues. Depending on the trimester you may have choices about all three of your house classes.

Check out the Advanced Placement page to see your options for house classes

Intensive Theme Courses are offered at the school and are generally designed to allow you to tunnel deep within a subject or topic. Check out the Intensive Theme section of the registration guide to see more about this type of offering and to look at course descriptions. Note that some courses require a lab/ supplies fee with registration.

Field Studies are offered around the planet and are intended to expose the student to issues related to the environment by immersing the student in new environmental settings. Expenses are covered entirely by the student. Space is limited in each study and is held by a down payment. For a look at reviews of past studies look at some of the past SES Newsletters. For description see the Field Study section of the registration guide.

Elective classes at SES cover the needs of both college-bound students and of students needing to round-out their secondary education before graduation. Many disciplines offer independent study opportunities for the advanced student beyond the electives listed on the registration form.

You are expected to register for seven classes plus one intensive theme class per trimester. Exceptions should be discussed with the counselor or special educator prior to registering. These eight classes are equivalent to the eight classes students would register for in a traditional high school. Registering for seven classes leaves the student with one open block. Students registering for Advanced Placement (AP) classes use this block for AP class work. Non-AP student use this time for an inquiry/ discovery session that links the student with environmental work, often in the larger community. A sample class schedule is provided to help see how this works.

Elective classes are described in the registration guide.

Returning students should find all the resources needed in the links to the left. Forms can be downloaded from the forms page.

Any special scheduling needs and questions should be directed to Mr. Nelson in the counseling office. Sign up for an appointment on the calendar outside his office.

You may also wish to check on the counseling web page for updates that relate to your registration.