Who should attend?
MeANS is a good fit for high school students who have a strong interest in a natural sciences curriculum and hands-on, project-based learning. These students may not be thriving in a conventional educational setting or may be currently unenrolled in school. They also may be succeeding in school but are not feeling sufficiently challenged or engaged.
Are interviews required?
Yes, all potential students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to participate in an admissions interview.
What does a typical school day at MeANS?
A typical day at MeANS is anything but typical. The format includes two hours of classroom instruction, two and a half hours of individual and group project work, and two hours of elective activity/job shadowing, internships, or coursework at Kennebec Valley Community College. The type of curriculum and projects change with the season and with a student’s interests and individual goals.
What are examples of the MeANS individual and group projects?
Examples of group projects include building raised beds in the greenhouse, researching and planting cover crops on a large garden plot to feed students living in cottages, and mapping out forest inventory growth plots for each student in the woods.
Examples of individual projects include researching the history of G.W. Hinckley by contacting alumni and reading primary source materials; studying the feasibility of keeping five baby mice alive after losing their mother; building a gravity-fed, rain water-based watering system for the greenhouse; and building bridges in swampy areas of the forest trails.
MeANS faculty values student input and suggestions on new and different projects as well.
How do MeANS students earn a diploma if they are in the classroom for only two hours a day?
Students attending MeANS learn that the world is their classroom, and their learning is not restricted to time spent at a desk. Students meet required graduation standards that are aligned with the Maine Learning Results in all aspects of their work—from their time collaborating on group projects to their time spent taking a college course through the Maine Community College System.
Can MeANS meet the needs of students who receive special education services?
While MeANS is not a special education program, students with IEPs and 504 plans are eligible according to our admissions criteria. Sending districts are responsible for providing necessary resources or funding required as a result of a student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Is on-campus housing available?
Dorm cottages staffed by experienced Campus Living Advisors are available. Each cottage houses up to eight students. Students are involved in maintaining the cleanliness of the cottage in which they reside. Campus Living Advisors provide coaching in a specific curriculum of independent living skills. Proficiency and mastery of these skills is necessary to meet graduation standards.
Can MeANS students attend classes at KVCC?
The campus will soon be home to Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), giving MeANS students an introduction to college life and access to college-level courses, including the state’s only Associate Degree in Agricultural Sciences.
May I speak with current families about MeANS?
Sure! We would be happy to put you in touch with a MeANS family. They have some of the best insights into the impact of the MeANS experience on a student’s life. Click here to request more information.
Application:
MeANS staff works with families to ensure that the admissions process is as clear and seamless as possible.
Please choose one of the options below to begin your MeANS application process:
MeANS staff will contact you within one week of receipt of your application.