Horace's School - Redesigning the American High School

A plan for school reform that respects the best traditions of secondary schooling and urges us to do far more in preparing adolescents for the future.

Sizer’s groundbreaking work offers a powerful new model for our schools, built on core principles:

A Focus on Intellectual Habits: Moves beyond “covering content” to cultivate the essential habits of mind—perspective, analysis, and imagination—that prepare students for a complex world. Personalized Learning: A structure where no teacher is responsible for more than 80 students, ensuring every student is known well enough to be taught effectively. Student as Worker: A shift in the classroom dynamic where teachers act as coaches, provoking students to take ownership of their learning and master essential skills. Exhibitions of Mastery: A new vision for assessment where students demonstrate their understanding through authentic, public performances of their work, replacing the limits of standardized testing.