FAQ
The Answers You Need
HOW DOES EPIC FIT INTO MY SCHEDULE?
If you're interested in doing EPIC, you can choose to do it on your blue days, your gold days, or both. On your EPIC days, you will spend all day working on your projects instead of going to traditional classes. You can still choose to take 3 or 4 classes on your non-EPIC days.
DO I STILL HAVE TO MEET THE SAME GRADUATION PROFICIENCIES AS STUDENTS IN REGULAR CLASSES?
Yes. But you get to decide the context in which you learn it and how you demonstrate your mastery. For example, a biology teacher might require you to learn about cells by reading the text book, doing a lab, and taking a test. You might choose to demonstrate mastery by investigating how microorganisms are used to make bread and cheese.
WHAT WOULD MY DAY IN EPIC LOOK LIKE?
Liberated from the constraints of the bell schedule, you start the day with your cohort and mentor, but then chart the course for your own day. You may access studio spaces such as the maker's space or green screen, visit content area consultants in the building, do field work on campus, arrange for off-site job shadows or internships, or simply use our EPIC classrooms to do research and continue your work.
CAN I WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE?
Yes! While you can certainly work independently, we highly encourage you to collaborate with your peers on projects. And even if you fly solo, you'll partner with your mentor, content area consultants in the building, and community resources along the way.
DO I HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO DO BEFORE I START EPIC?
No! Your EPIC mentor is there to help you identify the topics and questions you want to investigate and make connections to graduation proficiencies.
HOW WILL MY PROFICIENCY BE ASSESSED?
During the course of each project cycle, you'll meet with content-area consultants who will assess your progress toward meeting individual proficiencies. At the end of each project, you will achieve summative scores for each performance indicator you are working to show mastery in.
WHAT WILL COLLEGES THINK ABOUT EPIC?
We contacted Colleges and Universities from all around the country to ask them this question. Every single one responded that they would absolutely accept students who do EPIC (and that they already accept students who do similar programs elsewhere). A number of them even added that having EPIC on your transcript will likely make you stand out from the giant pile of applications that they see each year.
WILL I BE PREPARED FOR COLLEGE IF I DO EPIC?
Yes! You will master the same Graduation Proficiencies as your peers who don't do EPIC, so there will be no difference in what you learn; the difference will be in how you learn it. Participating in EPIC will also let you practice and develop skills like self-direction, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration more often than you probably would in a "traditional" school schedule. These skills will be incredibly valuable as you move into college with more independence and responsibility.
Want proof? Check out these websites:
WILL I BE PREPARED FOR A CAREER
IF I DO EPIC?
Yes! You'll still meet the same Graduation Proficiencies as your non-EPIC peers so you'll have same content knowledge as them. But you will have spent a lot of time in EPIC developing skills that employers and the military are looking for, such as problem-solving, self-direction, time management, and collaboration, just to name a few. You also will have the option to work with community partners to develop skills and knowledge specific to you career path during your EPIC projects, making you even more prepared for success as you move on in your life.
Want proof? Check out the websites in the question above this one!