What is Linchpin Education?
What is a linchpin? It’s the “focal point”. Originally, the linchpin was what held the axel together so the wheel would turn around; pull the linchpin and the wheel would fall apart. It’s the critical piece, the thing that holds the system together and makes it all work.
At Valor, it’s important for us to help students determine their linchpin. What is that thing that makes them come alive? That brings them great joy? That spurs their creativity and curiosity? That thing that, when experiencing it, time can stand still.
A linchpin can be many things. It can be some type of sport, music, art, science, hobby, or business.
Linchpin Education gives students the opportunity to find this ‘focal point’ and use it as an enhancement of their overall education. If a student is passionate about music, then music becomes their educational linchpin. If a student has an interest in photography, this can become their linchpin for academic growth. It is our goal with Linchpin Education to help each student find their ‘focal point’ and encourage it through excellence.
How does Valor Academy offer Linchpin Education?
Through our Enrichment program. In the afternoons every semester, we offer different elective options for our students to choose from. These fun and engaging classes allow our students to explore areas that might be their Linchpin. Examples of enrichment/electives that we offer:
- Music classes (guitar, choir, percussion/ukulele, etc)
- Drama
- Computer skills/Technology
- Cooking/Cake Decorating
- Speech/Debate
- Physical Conditioning
- Apologetics
- Spanish
- Art
- Indoor games/Outdoor games
- Yearbook
- Journalism/Newspaper
- STEAM
- Destination Imagination
Can Valor High school students receive credit for extra-curricular activities?
We also offer Linchpin Education by offering opportunities for high school students to receive high school credit for extracurricular activities that they carefully log and submit work and hours for outside of school. Things like:
- Working a job
- Organized sports through other organizations
- Music lessons
- 4-H or FFA
- Internships or apprenticeships
- Volunteer work/community service
- Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
- Teaching