One Stone learner Carissa V. on taking the leap into real-world problems to create real change.
By Carissa V., One Stone
When I first visited One Stone’s website, it seemed too good to be true.
I saw students working in professional environments, I read stories from students about the opportunities they had to guide their learning, and I saw pictures of the board of directors that was comprised of students like me. At One Stone, students were actually making an impact. They were designing their futures and following their passions. I was so excited, I applied immediately.
In all of my years of school, I always yearned for real-world experiences. I wanted to take charge of my own schedule and pursue the topics I wanted to learn. I wanted to start preparing to become an adult in the current workforce. With these aspirations in mind, I became frustrated with my school life, it didn’t feel like I was preparing for my future just preparing for the next test. When I brought up the issues I was having with my learning I was ignored because I was “just a student.” So I searched for something different. I wanted to find a school that would allow me to achieve these aspirations. I visited School Choice Events held in Boise, and I came across a flyer for One Stone. I’m so glad I found that flyer.
One Stone truly values the things I need to succeed. We believe in the power of students and student voice. We value empathy, creative innovation, and empowered ownership. One Stone celebrates risk taking and using failure as a learning experience through failing forward, trying new things, following passions, and embracing ambiguity.
I am grateful to have been accepted as a student in One Stone’s newest endeavor, XLab. In 2019, One Stone added a four year program by designing XLab, or Experience Lab, for ninth grade equivalent students. One Stone is the perfect environment for me to explore who I am and achieve my aspirations. I am learning by doing.
At One Stone, I'm excited to go to school everyday. I get the real world experience that I had been searching for through scheduling interviews as a part of my learning in projects such as Design Lab, and leading presentations. I am constantly off campus going to events like Boise Startup Week and learning in non-traditional settings, instead of being stuck in a classroom. I feel respected by the school as I am trusted to control my own schedule and say when I will and won't be at school, though having this responsibility may be stressful at times. I feel as though I am preparing to become a working adult because I am treated as an equal when talking to adults and listened to when I have an issue in my learning.
In One Stone’s XLab, I have the support I need to start serving others at places like Newpath Housing, a “housing first” community that houses people experiencing homelessness. I have started thinking of ways to help my community through the design thinking process. I am thankful that I took the opportunity to change my learning environment in a time when I needed it. From this amazing experience, I have learned to seize every opportunity that comes my way.
