Community and Political Activism

Community and Political Activism is a very unique concept in middle school programming, and it will distinguish our program from all others in the nation. Activism refers to a brand new way of teaching students about government – a method that draws on the model of experiential learning for which Heschel West has become well known.

It is our intention not only to educate our children in the functions of government but to make them an integral part of our democracy by exploring the inner workings of government. Heschel West Middle School will teach students to be politically aware and how to objectively evaluate issues to form strong opinions. Speech and debate will be incorporated into coursework towards this end.

Students will learn the practical applications of community involvement in legislation. They will develop relationships with political offices, explore the issues of that constituency and promote policies to address those issues. It will be the goal of every student to play a hands-on role in the development and enactment of legislation (whether at the local, state or federal level) by the time he /she graduates.