As we look toward the new semester, there is a lot of excitement surrounding our Monday schedule. We’ve intentionally designed it to be a day of deep enrichment and social connection that respects your time and hits the spot for your teen.

A Full Day of High School Enrichment

For those with high schoolers, Mondays have become a cornerstone. Because we are located right in the heart of downtown, the logistics for the day are surprisingly manageable. While the older kids are immersed in their labs, there is a rhythm to the neighborhood that works for the whole family. You can walk the younger siblings over to the library just a block away, or take a breather at the coffee shop across the street while they attend an AM or PM class..

New Program Highlights:

Applied Residential Design & Construction

We are thrilled to have **Phil Brummel** leading this one-semester course. With many decades as a builder, contractor, city planning, Phil brings a wealth of “on-the-job” wisdom. Students don’t just talk about building; they learn the fundamental principles of wood construction and how a house actually functions. The highlight is a hands-on project where they design and build detailed scale models, reinforcing spatial reasoning and craftsmanship. It’s a practical, low-demand way to earn ½ an elective credit on Mondays from 12:15 pm – 2:15 pm.

Intro to Human-Centered Design

This year-long program is for the students who love to tinker and solve real world challenges. Acting as “design detectives,” they identify real-world problems in the community and build functional prototypes to solve them. It’s a brilliant way to gain exposure to the engineering lifecycle and earn a Science/Engineering credit through hands-on discovery rather than heavy textbook work. This program emphasizes our core focus on teaching problem solving. Did you know that University of Michigan and Harvard feature human center design programs.

Modern Artist & Performance Lab (MAP Lab)

For those with a musical soul, the MAP Lab meets in the evening and offers a top-notch environment for intermediate and advanced musicians. It moves beyond traditional theory into the world of songwriting, recording, and stage presence. It’s about helping students find their own artistic voice and prepare for the next stage of their musical journey.

Creative Trades and Fine Arts

To round out the day, we’ve added several classes that focus on tangible, beautiful skills:

Threadworks & MetalCraft (Apparel Sewing)

This isn’t just basic stitching; students learn to create wearable creations and other items like bags plus more. MetalCraft is a unique jewelry-making class that introduces students to the tools and techniques of metalwork to make awesome custom jewelry

Watercolor & Drawing

A fine arts instruction that encourages students to slow down and develop their technical skill in watercolor and pencil drawing. Great for the creative kids that are always doodling.

Whether they are building a scale model of a home, soldering a piece of jewelry, or tracking a new song in the lab, our hope is that they leave Mondays feeling inspired, connected, and encouraged as they discover all their giftings and new friendships.