Freshmen
All FWCS freshmen begin in the Freshman School of Success, where they receive academic support, explore career options and build essential skills through Freshman Seminar and small learning communities. Throughout grade 9, students learn about the district’s three Schools of Success and choose a career pathway to begin in grade 10, preparing them for focused learning and real-world opportunities.
Start Freshman Year with 3DE & Seminar
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Freshman School of Success: All Grade 9 students begin their high school careers in the Freshman School of Success and are placed into houses, creating small learning communities within their new school.
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Teacher Teaming: Each house is supported by a core team of teachers who work closely with students. Teacher teams meet regularly to collaborate on student progress, interventions, and enrichment, ensuring targeted support for every learner.
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Freshman Seminar: Students take a Freshman Seminar course, which includes a Principles of Business component, to explore their interests, talents, and career pathways. The course builds confidence as students prepare to choose a School of Success and pathway in future years.
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3DE Model: The program follows the 3DE model, connecting core academics to real-world business challenges and developing skills such as collaboration, communication, critical and analytical thinking, creativity, innovation and self-direction.
Choosing a School of Success and Pathway
As students go through their Freshman Seminar and first year, they learn about the three Schools of Success:
- Health Sciences & Human Services
- Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades
- Business & The Arts
They also review the various pathways (specific career‑fields/options) available under each school. Based on their interests and what they’ve learned, students pick the pathway they want to follow starting in sophomore year.
Beyond Freshman Year: 10‑12 Grade Trajectory
Grades 10 & 11: Sophomores step into their School of Success, aligning academics with their pathways in small learning environment as they continue to build their community connections in their sophomore and junior year seminar courses.
Grade 12: Students are preparing for college, career and life beyond high school with our capstone options of Amp Lab, AP & Dual Credit Classes, Work-Based Learning, Cooperative Education or Senior Seminar.
Support & Real‑World Connections
- Business and community partners are involved in the program to bring real‑world relevance to learning. Students will work with local companies and “real business challenges” to understand what is needed in jobs and careers in the region.
- The Freshman year is meant to be foundational, helping students find their interests, develop essential skills and prepare to make a more informed decision about what career field or pathway they want to follow.
Our three houses, Momentum, Ivy and Arrow, work together to provide support for our Archer freshmen. Students are grouped into houses, or smaller communities, during their first year. Our house system ensures every freshman has a consistent team of teachers and peers who guide them academically, socially and emotionally as they transition into high school. Through this model, students receive personalized support, explore career interests and build relationships that help them thrive.
By the end of their freshman year, students are confidently prepared to enter the Schools of Success with a clearer understanding of their pathway options and the mentorship needed to succeed.
3DE Case Challenges
What are Case Challenges?
Case Challenges are real-world business problems presented to students by national and local companies. Students work in small groups to analyze the issue, develop solutions and present their ideas.
These challenges are built into the 3DE curriculum and happen throughout the school year. Each challenge connects directly to what students are learning in their core academic classes.
Who participates in Case Challenges?
All students in the 3DE program at South Side beginning freshman year. As students move through each grade level, the challenges become more complex, building critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills.
