A Day in the Life
of a Pivot Student
A day at The Pivot Schools is filled with engaging, project-based learning experiences that allow students to explore their passions and develop both academic and real-world skills. Here’s what a typical day might look like for a student attending Pivot:
8:00 AM
Arrival and Warm Welcome
Students arrive at Pivot to a warm, inviting environment. As they enter the building, they are greeted by teachers and administrators who are stationed near the entrance, welcoming students with smiles and words of encouragement. This daily tradition helps create a strong sense of belonging and connection from the start of the day.
8:15 AM
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Class
The day begins with a dedicated SEL class, where students gather with their peers to work on developing emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and conflict-resolution skills. Today’s lesson focuses on identifying personal strengths and building confidence through group discussions and individual reflections. In a project-based approach, students might create a “Strengths Board,” where they identify and illustrate their unique abilities, sharing with classmates to foster mutual respect and empathy.
9:00 AM
English Language Arts (ELA)–Project-Based Literature Study
In ELA, students work on a literature project exploring themes in classic and contemporary texts. Today, they’re diving into a project on cultural identity in literature. Working in small groups, students choose characters from different novels and create a presentation comparing their journeys and how their identities shape their actions. The teacher facilitates discussions, encouraging students to make personal connections to the characters, and students use digital tools to compile multimedia presentations that include quotes, character analysis, and visual artwork.
10:30 AM
Math–Applied Problem Solving in STEM
Math class at Pivot isn’t just about numbers; it’s about applying concepts to real-world situations. Today, students are working on a project that involves calculating materials for a small-scale construction project. In groups, students use their knowledge of geometry to determine area and volume, creating models and budgets for their constructions. This hands-on project brings math to life and allows students to see its relevance to careers in engineering, architecture, and design. Teachers support students through each step, offering resources and guidance while encouraging critical thinking.
12:00 PM
Lunch and Social Time
Students take a break to enjoy lunch with friends, where they can relax, socialize, and recharge for the second half of the day. Lunch is followed by some free time to connect with peers in a less structured setting, supporting their social-emotional growth.
12:45 PM
Science–Experiment and Exploration
In science class, students dive into a project-based unit on ecosystems. E.g. Today’s lesson focuses on creating mini-ecosystems in small glass containers. Working in pairs, students layer soil, plants, and small organisms, learn how ecosystems sustain themselves and explore the interconnectedness of life. They observe their ecosystems over time, documenting changes and applying scientific concepts of ecology and biodiversity.
2:15 PM
Social Studies–Civic Engagement Project
Social studies at Pivot focuses on active citizenship. E.g. Today, students are starting a civic engagement project where they identify a local issue in the community and design an advocacy campaign. For example, one group chooses food insecurity and plans a community garden proposal, incorporating research on nutrition, local demographics, and economics. Each group presents its proposal to the class, and a few will have the opportunity to present to school administrators. This hands-on approach helps students see the relevance of social studies to their lives and community.
3:30 PM
Career Academy–Discovering Passions and Pathways
The day wraps up with Career Academy, a class designed to introduce students to a variety of careers and help them discover their passions. Each grade level focuses on a different aspect of career exploration. Sixth graders are starting with career awareness, where they learn about different industries and roles. Today’s focus is on technology and AI, where students watch demos of AI applications and discuss how technology impacts different fields. For a hands-on project, students brainstorm and sketch their own ideas for an AI application that could improve their community.
Through this structured, engaging day, Pivot students are empowered to pursue their passions, gain practical skills, and build the social-emotional resilience necessary for success in their academic and future professional lives.
