BlendEd

The Bay Area BlendEd Consortium was founded in 2013 by The Athenian School, The College Preparatory School, Lick-Wilmerding High School, Marin Academy, and The Urban School in order to jointly offer a set of blended classes combining face-to-face and online instruction.

Our membership expanded to include The Branson School in 2019-2020 and then the San Francisco University High School in the 2020-2021 (Cycle 7) school year – 7 school partners for our 7th year of BlendEd! Together, we are committed to making the most of online learning, remarkable teacher-student connections, and Bay Area resources.

Learn More About BlendEd

Learn More About BlendEd

As the ways we teach and learn continue to be influenced by the use of digital technology, The BlendEd Consortium combines demonstrated best practices for online learning with our schools’ proven strengths in direct classroom instruction and experiential learning. By creating a blended model, where students access the curriculum and teachers online as well as through regular face-to-face meetings, we help our students prepare for the changing methods of instruction and communication they will see in college and in the workforce while preserving the core relational culture that lies at the heart of our schools’ educational missions.

We are excited to pool the considerable talents that exist in each of our schools for the benefit of student learning. Through our careful work to develop a program that allows students to reach beyond the confines of our schools while benefiting from their strengths, we model both the collaborative spirit that is our hallmark and the creative and innovative thinking that this century demands.

Enrolling in BlendEd Courses

The BlendEd courses are available to juniors and seniors in the seven consortium schools. The courses and full descriptions will be listed in the course catalog at each school and available for eligible students during the course selection process at each consortium school. Class sizes will be limited to 18 students. The small class size affirms our commitment to meeting individual student needs and the building of strong classroom cultures where students feel equally invested in helping each other succeed. Interested students are encouraged to inquire early.

BlendEd Course Structure

BlendEd courses combine demonstrated best practices for online learning with face-to-face instruction, while taking advantage of the geography, talent, and culture of the Bay Area. The instructors of these courses are gifted and committed faculty from the seven BlendEd Consortium schools. Students will access these courses via a learning management system (LMS), where they can engage in a variety of ways, including reviewing materials, exploring digital media, participating in group discussions, and submitting their work. These courses are interactive with significant time spent working asynchronously in the LMS along with occasional virtual class meetings. Each course will also include a minimum of three face-to-face sessions. Students must have reliable access to the Internet and access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, or tablet.

BlendEd Coordinators

FAQs

Why participate in a BlendEd class?

The Bay Area BlendEd Consortium (BlendEd) provides a unique educational opportunity for MA juniors and seniors, allowing them to access an expanded array of courses as well as an opportunity to work with students and teachers beyond MA. Using a blended model of online and experiential instruction, BlendEd courses represent a unique range of high-level elective topics enriched by Bay Area resources. BlendEd combines best practices for online learning with our partner schools' strengths in direct classroom instruction and experiential learning, giving students practice in self-motivation and independence along with the technical expertise they will need in college and beyond.

How are the classes structured?

Classes meet face-to-face a minimum of three to five times per semester, as well as through a mix of all-class and small group online videoconference meetings. The face-to-face sessions are held at one of the partner schools or at a specific location relating to the class topic. Students access the class materials through the BlendEd online learning management system (for MA students, this is an online repository similar to myMA). Students will be responsible for determining when and where to complete independent class work, similar to how they now work on homework for their MA courses.

For the online sessions of the course, are the students at home or at MA? Depending on each teacher’s requirements, the synchronous videoconference sessions will happen in the evening and/or over weekends. During the asynchronous, independent work portion of the course, students must be able to manage their time both at school and at home. When and where are the face-to-face sessions held? Each course teacher determines when and where the face-to-face sessions occur. Often, these gatherings are scheduled at a location specific to the class, such as a film studio, environmental firm, park, etc. Many face-to-face sessions happens on weekends, though teachers are allowed to use one school day per semester for a face-to-face session.

Are there dedicated quiet spaces at MA to work?

MA’s Library is always available to students for quiet time and studying. We also recommend that BlendEd students have a desk or table in a quiet room at home in order to participate in the online videoconference classes or small group sessions, as well as to complete homework and independent study. Students also need internet access at home (MA can assist students in obtaining that if needed).

What are the technological requirements for participation in a BlendEd class?

Who can enroll and is there specific criteria that will be used to determine which students may register for a BlendEd class?

Can I take a BlendEd course as an 8th class?

Is there additional tuition required for taking a BlendEd course?

How will student performance be assessed and evaluated in a BlendEd course, especially if it’s a nonMA teacher? Is there a midterm evaluation?

Is the course schedule the same as MA’s regular academic schedule?

BlendEd courses follow a special schedule that does not coincide exactly with MA’s academic schedule. While the BlendEd schedule aligns closely with MA's schedule, there are some differences. Each BlendEd teacher schedules his/her course's spring break, for instance. BlendEd teachers, however, are very aware of special situations--MA's minicourse week, for example--and will work with students to make appropriate adjustments to coursework due dates.

Will my child be able to participate in athletics, theater, music or other after school activities if s/he takes a BlendEd course?

Are parents able to communicate with a BlendEd teacher from another school?

Yes, parents receive contact information for their student’s BlendEd teacher. Following our usual MA protocol, parents should first contact the teacher about any issues related to their student, as well as MA’s BlendEd site coordinator, Liz Gottlieb. MA parents may also contact their student’s advisor with any questions or concerns. Who at MA oversees the students’ non-MA taught BlendEd work? Each school has a site coordinator who, among other things, is tasked with ensuring MA BlendEd students are able to have a positive BlendEd experience – technologically, academically and personally. MA’s BlendEd site coordinator is Liz Gottlieb, and she can be reached at lgottlieb@ma.org.

How do colleges view a BlendEd course?

All courses are awarded credit by each school based on a shared rubric that ensures a common set of standards for the quality of instruction, the way students are assessed, and high expectations for student learning. The courses are equal in rigor to our existing elective courses. As online and blended courses have become increasingly common, most schools do not note the instructional mode (online, blended, or face-to-face) on transcripts. The BlendEd Consortium follows this practice.

Are these classes UC approved?

We chose MA because it’s MA, but BlendEd isn’t only MA. Why would my student want to participate in this new endeavor?

MA believes strongly that students must be well prepared to navigate smoothly between in-classroom and digital classroom modes of instruction, as colleges and future employers will seek out people with these skills. Students taking a BlendEd course learn to work independently, manage time effectively, and satisfy their curiosity about topics relevant to them. The BlendEd initiative aligns with MA’s core value of extending learning beyond the classroom and enables students to take advantage of our vast regional resources. And finally, taking a BlendEd class allows students to experience learning with non-MA teachers who are specialists in their subjects and with students from across the Bay Area.

Where can I get more information?

What is BlendEd?

Great question! The BlendEd Consortium is a partnership between seven Bay Area independent schools that allows us to offer our students cool, unique, and innovative electives—courses designed to enhance online learning with face-to-face time, lots of experiential learning, and going on some awesome field trips. BlendEd courses get our students outside their classrooms and engaging with the many natural and cultural resources around the Bay Area, and beyond (via Expeditionary courses)!

BlendEd Consortium

Noah Orgish

Educational Technologist