HIGHLIGHTS
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES
Our Guided Independent Study courses offer high school students the opportunity to explore areas of interest in conjunction with field study and internship experience. Additionally, students will work closely with an advisor each week to help strengthen certain skills, such as organization, time and project management, study skills, etc. This advisor will collaborate with the supervising teacher and cafe chef to ensure that students are meeting all internship expectations.
All Independent Studies highlighted below were selected and designed by students, in cooperation with instructors and mentors. These opportunities are available at SNA, as well as that which you dream up!
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Students participating in this internship opportunity will create and implementing classroom activities following emergent curriculum, participate in the daily activities in an early childhood/childcare setting, and receive both positive and constructive feedback from center teachers and directors. This course is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education. 2nd Nature Academy High School students who participate in this course are responsible for designing, creating and implementing a semester-long project related to a relevant issue they identify in the early childhood setting.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
(AP) COURSES
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations. Students at SNA will be offered the option of taking the following courses for AP credit; grade point averages will be weighted accordingly. Course content will be delivered using a variety of methods that adhere to our SNA educational philosophy.
2023 AP RESEARCH
PRESENTATION & ORAL DEFENSE
In AP Research, year two of the AP Capstone Program, "students are required to design, plan, and implement a yearlong, in-depth study or investigation in an area of personal interest through a chosen or designed inquiry method and develop a well-reasoned argument based on the evidence collected in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words. As a culmination of their research, students deliver (using appropriate media) a presentation and orally defend their research design, approach, and findings (AP Research Course and Exam Description)."
On Friday, April 28, 2023, AP Research students presented to a panel composed of members of our school community: Rocio Rosales, PhD, Jose Martinez, MS, and Michael Varraso, Esq. Students and panelists engaged in an oral defense session, as well as a more casual question and answer session following the performance tasks. We would like to say a special thank you to our panelists for their time and enthusiasm, as well to Rambling House Food & Gathering for their generosity in providing their space and refreshments for this student milestone.
PCCM
PERSONALIZED COLLEGE & CAREER MAPPING
Each SNA high school student is on an educational track as unique as they are. We recognize that there are many paths our students can embark on after graduation, including college, university, career, or more. Our Personalized College & Career Mapping (PCCM) program is designed to set our students up for success.
MAPPING YOUR PATH
With the guidance of your teachers, advisors, and/or mentors, you will design and refer to your path plan throughout your high school career. Nothing in your PCCM path is set in stone. Rather, it is there to help you get where you want to go, even if it changes along the way!
passions
skills
learning styles
educational aspirations
career aspirations
hobbies
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
CLASS OF 2026
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University of the Creative Arts, UK
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Istituto Marangoni, Paris, FR
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University of New Hampshire
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Southern NH University
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Worcester Polytechnic Insitute
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...more to come!
Honorable Mention: SNA's first military enlistment in the US Navy
Merit scholarships awarded: $198,000
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS
Success is defined as, "an accomplishment of an aim or purpose." Your PCCM path, and its many turns, should be as unique as you! We've highlighted a few of our current and former seniors to give you an example of the many diverse PCCM tracks each student embarks on.
GUS '26
Student Government President on a leadership track
Arrival at SNA: Joined in the 7th grade to find an environment that supported his growth and could help him in his personal goals
PCCM Path: Military- & College-focused
PBL Impact: Deep appreciation for history and theory is fostered through voice, choice and autonomy
Beyond SNA: US Navy enlistment with post-service college aspirations
OLIVIA '26
Fashion-forward creative with an eye for innovation
Arrival at SNA: Transferred in the 8th grade, seeking an environment that allowed for more creative autonomy during the pivotal transition to high school
PCCM Path: College-focused (International Arts Track)
PBL Impact: Work was for more than just a grade, curating efforts into a body of work that met the rigorous standards of European design schools
Beyond SNA: Preparing to study abroad after being accepted into prestigious creative arts and fashion design programs in London and Paris
JADEN '25
Creative & inclusive with a social justice mindset
Arrival at SNA: Transferred in the 11th grade in search for a tight-knit community that would foster her passion for hands-on collaboration
PCCM Path: College-focused
PBL Impact: Heavily involved in outside collaborative competitions with real-world audiences (BioTrek, Community Changemakers Challenge)
Beyond SNA: Currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at Rivier University
RONAN '23
Innovative & collaborative critical thinker
Arrival at SNA: A Newtonian since preschool
PCCM Path: College-focused
PBL Impact: Deftly collaborates and contributes to individual and group successes; Part of a SNA team that won 3rd place in a statewide contest for design of New England Electric Bus System (NEEBS); Drafted proposed legislation (J.A.R.S. Act) with his peers to strengthen regulations of PFAS in local drinking water
Beyond SNA: On track to graduate from UNH College of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Class of 2027)
RYAN '22
Inventive mindset with an entrepreneurial spirit
Arrival at SNA: Transferred in the 10th grade in the search for an environment and community that would realize his full potential
PCCM Path: Career-focused
Guided Independent Study: Animal Husbandry with a Focus in Poultry, including field work at Julie's Happy Hens at Trow Heritage Farm (Mont Vernon, NH)
PBL Impact: Designed dual-purpose products to address the needs of underserved communities; Part of a SNA team that won 3rd place in a statewide contest for design of New England Electric Bus System (NEEBS); Designed a rainwater collection system using biomimicry called Pinecone Water Collection System (T.P.W.C.S.)
Beyond SNA: Graduated into full-time job in desired field