Practical Activities
An education is useless, for the most part, unless it can be effectively applied
to life outside the classroom. That's why Delphi students spend a good part of their
day in a variety of tasks that require they put what they are learning to real use.
This hands-on approach takes the form of practical projects, which are included
in many of the courses they study,
Student Services jobs, school and club projects, as well as apprenticeships
that allow students to explore career options.
Emphasis on the practical application of academics ensures that each student gets
a first-hand education in thoroughness, competence, responsibility and getting a
job done.
Projects
At the Upper School level, projects can require a fair amount of time and skill,
occupying a greater and greater percentage of the student's daily routine prior
to graduation of Form 8. Each project is developed and proposed by the student and
approved by a faculty member. A minimum amount of practical credits is required
for the completion of each Form, with one practical credit equal to 7.5 hours in
the field or on a project. Students are required to earn practical credits on projects
in both the area of their major as well as other areas, in order to give them a
rounded experience.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a vital part of the Upper School students' programs. With all
the emphasis placed on the importance of application to what they are studying,
apprenticeships offer students an opportunity to gain both experience and exposure
in areas of interest. The program allows the student to "test" possible career choices
in a real world environment, while at the same time learning skills and knowledge
from professionals in the field.
The purposes of the apprenticeships are two-fold––1) To give students
enough time in practical activities related to a potential career to determine whether
or not they want to pursue the career further and 2) To meet the Upper School graduation
requirement to be "able to hold a position of trust and responsibility in an organization."
Upper School students successfully complete at least one three-month off-campus
apprenticeship prior to graduation from the school.
Examples of typical apprenticeships include working with companies and/or individual
professionals in veterinary medicine, law enforcement, software development, film
production, music production, politics, and wildlife management.