OUR PROGRAM
Student-centered learning, small by design.Open World Learning Community (formerly St. Paul Open School) has nurtured self-directed learners for more than 50 years. Since 1971, students in our small-by-design school have been celebrated and respected for their individuality and take an active role in their education. With just 500 students in Grades 6 through 12, every student is a known and valued part of our family-like community. Open World Learning Community is a member of the national network of EL Schools, which promote rigorous and engaging curriculum; active, inquiry-based pedagogy; and a school culture that demands and teaches compassion and good citizenship.
Our curriculum is designed around Learning Expeditions – projects that allow students to investigate issues in our school, the community and the world. The study of big ideas enables us to weave together work in multiple subject areas. Students are given time to think about important issues, time to experiment, and time to understand what they’ve learned. Our “small school” learning environment inspires students to ask questions in a culture that demands and teaches compassion and good citizenship. Our beautiful new home in St. Paul’s West Side was specially designed to support the collaborative learning style of EL Schools.
When the school day begins at Open World Learning Community (OWL), you'll find students and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds sharing a common goal: the desire to discuss, explore, investigate and learn. It is a world designed for student-centered learning - a place where innovative programs and hands-on methods encourage curiosity and discovery. You will hear students and teachers having real conversations about their lives, beyond tests and homework. Each of our 500 students is known and respected, and exclusive cliques scarcely exist. This is the OWL community.
Open World Learning Community Mission
A COMMUNITY OF Joyful, curious self-directed learners engaged in the world.
Open World Learning Community Vision
- Imagine every student at Open World Learning Community inspired, challenged, and prepared for their future beyond high school.
- Imagine every family at Open World Learning Community welcomed, respected, and cared for by a responsive staff.
- Imagine our community connected, involved, and integrated with the Expeditionary Learning School network across the country and world.
Our OWL Community
“Nobody is allowed to be a passenger; everyone belongs to the ship's crew.”
Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound
At OWL Community we support each other’s learning, leadership and service by building a community where everyone can take risks to learn and grow in new ways. We recognize learning can sometimes be confusing and scary. That is one reason why it is so important to feel supported and safe. EL Education calls learning a “journey into the unknown.” At OWL community we are taking that journey together. As members of the OWL Community we are all expected to be involved in the whole program, not just parts of it.
We build our community by our consistent attention to small, daily actions, choices and rituals. OWL Community is a place where it is okay to be really good at one thing and a complete novice at something else. It is a safe place to ask and answer questions, to ask for and give help. Students meet in Crew, a multi-age advisory class devoted to team-building, academic advising, and social and emotional learning. We hope everyone experiences authentic belonging and connection within a typical school day.
A positive, caring attitude towards oneself, others and our school community is expected of every person. Consideration, flexibility, a good sense of humor and kindness go a long way toward accomplishing our goal of safety. OWL’s commitment to social and emotional education is demonstrated in our Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs): integrity, perseverance, responsibility, collaboration and stewardship. To work with students in achieving these habits, we build stepping stones, or supporting targets, that are taught in Crew and in each academic class. They are the basis of our school culture and guide community decisions.
Open World Learning Community
640 Humboldt Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: 651-293-8670
Fax: 651-293-5308
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m.
Attendance: Please call 651-293-8670, option 3, to leave a message about your child's absence or tardiness.