Frequently Asked Questions and/or Myths related to Jasper
1. “I don’t want to do Jasper because I want to stay with my friends.”
With more than 600 9th-grade students, we will have more than 20 English 9 and American Studies 1 sections. What are the odds you’ll be with your friends? Don't let that be the driving factor because it's not likely that you'll be with them - especially in multiple classes.
With more than 600 9th-grade students, we will have more than 20 English 9 and American Studies 1 sections. What are the odds you’ll be with your friends? Don't let that be the driving factor because it's not likely that you'll be with them - especially in multiple classes.
2. "Jasper is a 4-year commitment."
This is completely false. We want to do what is best for each student whether it's Jasper or not. If it's not going well, students can resume a traditional course load, but you should be prepared for different teachers and different teaching styles.
This is completely false. We want to do what is best for each student whether it's Jasper or not. If it's not going well, students can resume a traditional course load, but you should be prepared for different teachers and different teaching styles.
4. “Jasper doesn’t look good for college.”
More and more colleges are becoming test-optional, test-flexible, and test-blind. Jasper students will have a 4-year portfolio, examples of projects they’ve actually done, internship experience, and several potential references.
This is a lot to add to this topic/misconception. Please read our College page for more information and to see the schools that have accepted Jasper students.
More and more colleges are becoming test-optional, test-flexible, and test-blind. Jasper students will have a 4-year portfolio, examples of projects they’ve actually done, internship experience, and several potential references.
This is a lot to add to this topic/misconception. Please read our College page for more information and to see the schools that have accepted Jasper students.
4. “I don’t want to do Jasper because I don’t know what career I want to pursue."
Neither do most of our students, or they will probably change their minds. It’s a great opportunity to learn about different careers though.
Neither do most of our students, or they will probably change their minds. It’s a great opportunity to learn about different careers though.
5. "I want to be a high school athlete so Jasper might not be a good idea."
Good news - we want you to be a high school athlete too! In fact, several Jasper teachers and administrators are coaches for our high school teams so we certainly understand and encourage participation in athletics. Even though Jasper is project-based, we want to provide time in class to work on those projects. There are always going to be "crunch times" in high school, but we definitely don't expect our projects to interfere with after school activities.
Good news - we want you to be a high school athlete too! In fact, several Jasper teachers and administrators are coaches for our high school teams so we certainly understand and encourage participation in athletics. Even though Jasper is project-based, we want to provide time in class to work on those projects. There are always going to be "crunch times" in high school, but we definitely don't expect our projects to interfere with after school activities.
6. I will just wait and see how this goes. Perhaps I'll go into Jasper my sophomore year.
If we reach capacity for the 9th grade group and everyone wants to stay in the program, there are no more spots available. The only way that students will have the ability to enter in later years is if there are open spots remaining. Right now is the best time to join if you want to be part of this program.
If we reach capacity for the 9th grade group and everyone wants to stay in the program, there are no more spots available. The only way that students will have the ability to enter in later years is if there are open spots remaining. Right now is the best time to join if you want to be part of this program.
7. Jasper seems like a STEM program.
Jasper is not a STEM program or a Humanities program. We offer courses in both departments, but we know kids have so many different interests. We get it - and we want to accommodate those interests. There will be ways for students to embrace their interests with choice as to how to do certain projects. We also want to give students opportunities to take courses outside of Jasper at EHS in areas of particular interest.
Jasper is not a STEM program or a Humanities program. We offer courses in both departments, but we know kids have so many different interests. We get it - and we want to accommodate those interests. There will be ways for students to embrace their interests with choice as to how to do certain projects. We also want to give students opportunities to take courses outside of Jasper at EHS in areas of particular interest.
