The Design Studio at Mead prepares students to not only get into college,  but to thrive in college. In Design Studio, we want to ensure that students graduate prepared for the college of today, as well as the college of tomorrow. If there is one thing the Mead Community knows, it is that being flexibly educated, being able to learn not just about things, but HOW to learn, prepares you for whatever a changing world might throw at you. At its very core, that is what Design Studio is all about.

We do this by helping students truly master the subjects they are learning–while at the same time making sure that students are learning how to learn. We are a Mastery-Based program, so when students undertake a topic to learn, whether it be Algebra 2 or Physics or Entrepreneurship, students have academic goals to reach before they move on. You can be assured that when your student finishes a topic in Design Studio, and meets the mastery goals, your student will know that topic, and even more importantly how to use that topic in other settings.

The Design Studio at Mead is a multi-age, multi-disciplinary community that is typically a four period commitment.  Because students spend their core classes with us, we believe that it provides a very cohesive experience into high school from middle school, or transitioning from grade level to grade level. Students have both adult mentors AND peer mentors to help them navigate Mead High School. Students have the opportunity to “go out” from the Studio and take other classes that they might be interested in, or that they are required to take. You can see a list of subjects taught within Design Studio, and a sample 9-12 grade level schedule, on the graphic posted below.

Design Studio students have been accepted to schools such as University of Washington, UC Berkeley, Pratt, USC, Washington State University, Arizona State, Cornish College of the Arts, and all of the local Eastern Washington Universities. Design Studio students have an excellent track record of receiving scholarships to attend these universities. In conjunction with the Mead College and Career Counselor, we work individually with students on a college plan and we mentor students individually through the process of applying to college as well as applying for scholarships and financial aid.