How Communities Work

It is within communities that students and staff work to develop an environment of support and common identity.  The foundation of each community is the homebase, where each Learning Advisor works with a group of about 15 students from across each year level to encourage a sense of common values and shared interests.  Communities are composed of between six and eight homebases. Regular meetings occur to discuss topics ranging from the responsibilities of the members to organizing community camps and preparing for our celebrations of learning.  Throughout the year communities promote individuality while building collective understanding and unity.  Members create a sense of belonging and an atmosphere of cooperation and respect through dialogue, conflict resolution and shared experience.

The location of each community is the base from which students work at UPT.  It is within the community that students are able to get the support for their learning while not in class.  Learning Advisors build a rselationship with the individuals in their communities and work to establish the skills and practices necessary to best manage learning independently.  Over the years this concept is built upon with community building moving beyond the four walls of UPT.

Communities in 2011