Paly’s Social Justice Pathway (SJP) is not just another program; it is a transformative journey for students who are eager to make a tangible impact on the world around them. Rooted in self-direction and project-based learning, SJP fosters an environment where students become active agents of change, addressing pressing issues both locally and globally.
Why are students drawn to this path? SJP holds a special appeal to Paly students for several reasons:
- Field Trips: Paly’s SJP Pathway is known for its engaging field trips, which provide hands-on learning experiences and foster a sense of community among students. The main goal of these events is to build a bond within cohorts and learn about social justice issues more interactively. Aside from the annual Boulder Creek camping trip, other excursions include watching live court cases in person and traveling internationally to build a bond within cohorts and interactively learn about social justice issues.
2. Project Based Learning
Rather than learning through traditional classroom methods, SJP uses more project-based assignments. Teachers strategically place students into small groups with new individuals, maintaining a core principle of SJP: building connections throughout all three years of SJP.
3. Preparation/education about the real world
Regarding preparation and education about the world beyond high school, Paly’s SJP program does not fall short. Through class discussions about current and past events, students learn about social justice issues and how they have been handled in the past. Along with thorough academic inquiry, experiential learning, and active class discussions, students develop the skills and empathy to address them effectively. This enables them to guide each other through the learning process of social justice issues.
4. Making new friends
Sophomores Isaac Telyaz and Finn Rutkowski stop and pose for a photo while setting up their tent at the 2023 SJP Boulder Creek camping trip. “I am so glad I joined SJP. The camping trip especially helped strengthen my relationships, as it was just a couple months after I joined.”
Every aspect of SJP revolves around making friends. The field trips, class discussions, and group projects are bonding exercises that allow students to be productive while building connections.
