The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

Students in the Non-Traditional Academy work to collaborate on group projects as a part of their curriculum May 25. The NTA program at Park has brought new opportunities for learning to students who seek a more hands-on experience.

Spotlight on the Non-Traditional classroom setting

Lilly Fandel-Thompson and Jana Faust May 29, 2023

The Non-Traditional Academy (NTA) is an innovative approach to classroom structure at Park. The teachers and students in the program work each day to foster a more hands-on learning experience so students...

Senior Elliott Rickert works on an assignment in Non Traditional Academy (NTA). NTA takes place first through fourth period.

NTA changes mentality

Tennam Gyaldatsang January 22, 2020

According to Non-Traditional Academy advisor Joe Weber, NTA is designed to be a student-centered class. “We go into things with great depth and we run with a very dialogic space. There's not a lot...

NTA helps students succeed in school by building a strong community. It prepares students get ready for the next chapter of their lives.

Strong community within a classroom driven by success

Tennam Gyaldatsang and Neb Bekele December 20, 2019

According to the leader of Non-Traditional Academy Chris Weaver, students who wouldn’t have exceeded to their full potential in a normal classroom setting seem to be doing well and are on track to graduate. “It's...

Seniors Lauren Joyce and Tobyous Davenport do class work during first hour. NTA takes place 1st-4th hour every day in B131.

NTA Basics Quiz

Tennam Gyaldatsang October 23, 2019

With the school year beginning, work on learning about some of the foundational knowledge about NTA the Non-Traditional Academy. Loading NTA var QuizWorks = window.QuizWorks || []; QuizWorks.push( [document.getElementById("embed-quiz-432255"),...

Senior Danny Martinez shares food with senior Braulio Vela-Garray during NTAs Thanksgiving meal. The Thanksgiving meal is one example of how NTA creates a tight-knit community within the program.

Program creates new learning environment

Emma Leff and Anika Hanson November 26, 2018

According to Non-Traditional Academy teacher Debra Skadden, the Non-Traditional Academy offers seniors an opportunity to learn in a different environment. “(It is for) seniors who are either in danger...

Vandalism: Posters about the upcoming election NTA teacher Debra Skadden created with her class were recently vandalized. Students of social studies teacher Kara Ciscos class responded by creating posters to counter the discriminatory comments.

Discriminatory statements written on political poster

Abby Intveld and Dani Orloff November 4, 2018

When freshman Matthew Montanez heard about the discriminatory graffiti, he said he felt driven to voice his opinion on the matter. “We tried to show that everyone is welcome here, no matter your...

Sophomore Joseph McIndoo learns about NTA club poster encouraging students to vote. Several more Posters are hung up around the high school cafeteria.

Political informational posters supplied by NTA

Katie Hardie October 5, 2018

The Non-Traditional Academy at Park has released political informational posters over the past week. These posters can be found in the high school cafeteria. According to Non-Traditional Academy (NTA)...

Senior Rahma Farah works on a math project where students created their own video game in her fifth hour NTA class Nov. 9.

NTA expresses creativity through video games

Yonit Krebs November 21, 2017

Working on improvements to his video game, senior Non-Traditional Academy student Abdiwahab Ali thinks the project improves basic coding knowledge. “I think (working on the video game) gives you really...

Senior Non-Traditional Academy students Erika Wilson and Salma Elmi work with NTA physics teacher Mark Miller on determining the density of eggs Sept. 27. NTA seeks to provide students with alternate approaches to learning.

NTA provides solution for alternative learning styles

Yonit Krebs September 29, 2017

Reflecting on her goals for her final year in high school, senior Non-Traditional Academy student Rahma Farah said she hopes to graduate along with all the other students in her Non-Traditional Academy...

Non-Traditional Academy applications to begin mid-April

Non-Traditional Academy applications to begin mid-April

Samyu Yenamandra, Writer April 13, 2017

According to senior and member of Non-Traditional Academy (NTA) Spencer Larson, Non-Traditional Academy aims to adjust school education plans to accommodate student learning needs. “It’s a class...

Senior Devante Childress attends the Non-Traditional Academy during fourth hour March 13.

NTA offers second chance for seniors

Yonah Davis, Yonit Krebs, and Amber Tran March 24, 2017

Senior Non-traditional Academy (NTA) member Eli Haddorff feels accomplished as he reflects on the program’s hands-on and project-based curriculum. According to Haddorff, the members of the club...

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