As young adults studying at the high school/college preparatory level, participants in the High School Away program are expected to be entirely self-motivated, enthusiastic, and responsible for their own performance. Blackwood is committed to the success of each student by providing a structured environment and necessary tools.

Program Overview

• No more than 16 high school students will reside on site for one of three two-week sessions.
• Throughout this time, students are under the close supervision of Blackwood Educational Land Institute Staff and have a structured day.
• Each day consists of a routine, self-guided instruction time of roughly 8 AM to 3 PM, depending on each student’s school day. The instruction day is mostly based in our outdoor facilities with access to high-speed internet.
• We offer tutoring and academic coaching by Blackwood staff as needed. If the subject matter or level of difficulty is outside of the scope of our on-site tutors, we may find it necessary to bring in off-site, “virtual” tutors at an additional cost. In this event, we would seek approval from parents on the added cost.
• All meals, prepared by Blackwood staff using nutritious, organic produce and Blackwood Agricultural Goods, with students responsible for some meal prep and clean-up.
• Unstructured time for study or exploration of Blackwood grounds.
• Private time for self-care and personal hygiene.
• At least one other learning opportunity and/or exercise decided upon as a group and supervised by Blackwood staff (with additional opportunities on the weekend).
• Participation in other daily farm activities.
• Designated phone usage and “lights out” times depending on the day of the week (e.g. the weekend may have a later time for “lights out” than the week day, phone usage time may be extended on the weekend).

Program Requirements

• Testing for COVID-19 is required the week of each student’s arrival. Information on testing options available to students and their families is provided below.
• When arriving on-site and for the duration of their time at Blackwood, students may be required to undergo routine temperature checks.
• Students & Parents: Based on our years of experience conducting camps and other on-site programs, it is most important that students attending the High School Away program truly have a desire to experience Blackwood and be immersed in this opportunity.
• Students: In addition to fully committing to their studies and fulfilling the requirements of their curriculum, each student will be required to define a set of goals for the Blackwood experience (i.e. what they seek to learn, take away, or positive habits they would like to form) on their first day and will review progress toward these goals with Blackwood staff and their parents at pick-up.
• Parents: Prior to dropping off the student, parents must communicate to Blackwood staff any pertinent information regarding health or behavioral needs, medications, or other special situations.

COVID-19 Testing Requirements

All students coming to Blackwood for the high school program need to show a negative COVID test taken 3 – 4 days before arrival. Additionally, families must adhere to a quarantine during the days between the test and arriving on site for the safety of their student and other students in the program.

For example: A Sunday drop-off means taking a test on the Wednesday or Thursday before and quarantine until drop-off.