Voice & Choice

Every Friday morning, the entire school gathers for Community Meeting. It is an opportunity for the entire Helios family- students of all grades, teachers, administrators, as well as parents - to connect. Students share their passions by performing a ukulele solo, reading their latest poem, or presenting why they love their teachers. These meetings are adored by the community, with parents often staying after drop off to watch from the back and share in the community feeling.

The Wilderness Village is a natural, rustic section of campus where students are free and encouraged to collaborate.  They build structures from tree stumps and various other materials, create an economy with plants or wood chips as currency, or forma constitution -- a true Village!  Past Wilderness Village projects have included a zip line, large fortresses, an herb garden and a climbing wall.

The Student Council at Helios plays a pivotal role in fostering leadership skills and providing a voice for students across all grades. By advocating for the student body, facilitating communication between students and staff, and organizing school activities and events, the council enhances school spirit and community engagement. Leadership roles such as President, Vice President, and Class Representatives are open to students, offering them invaluable opportunities to lead, mentor, and represent their peers. Weekly meetings and involvement in decision-making processes help students develop organizational and leadership skills critical for their future.

Student Led Clubs have long been a tradition at Helios. Clubs offer an opportunity for students to take an idea and run with it. It may be a group of 10 or a group of 2, but it all starts with a student passion and builds from there. Past examples have been Writing Club, Book Club, Cypher Club, Chess Club and Student Leadership Club. 

In addition, teacher- and vendor-led clubs are offered during aftercare.

Our Garden is a special retreat where children play and care for plants during recess and after school.

Children practice kindness and empathy as they care for the plants and develop a meaningful connection to their food and the earth. 

In addition to student-directed play in the garden, they also maintain and beautify the space, participate in large-scale projects such as permaculture design, and do planned experiments like seed-saving, soil tests, composting, and caring for their own garden plots.