Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM)

Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM)

At the core of The Main Street Academy's (TMSA) curriculum is the adoption of the Renzulli Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM). The SEM model seeks daily enrichment in the core curriculum by bringing students into contact with experts and community leaders who explain how education connects to real life experiences. These include visits from authors, from people who work with Georgia Power and Trees Atlanta, and by sponsoring student projects that explore how academic research impacts the outside world.

Key to the SEM are student cluster experiences. Clusters are similar to  academic electives on special topics. They are faculty driven, and change from semester to semester. Past cluster experiences have focused on subjects including Greek mythology, yoga and NewsCrew. TMSA students meet once a week for their selected cluster during the course of the academic school year, and combine academic study with the goal of producing a product, performance, or community service by the end of the academic year. SEM clusters are offered in grade bands (K-2; 3-5; 6-8) to offer students more choice in their selection of clusters.

Students also have the opportunity to propose their own cluster projects. Student-led clusters function the same way as normal clusters, but students take the lead in designing their subjects, laying out research plans, and producing their own end product.