Impact Program
What is the IMPACT Program?
The IMPACT program in our Middle and Upper School takes student learning and applies it to the jobs of tomorrow
Embark on a transformative journey with KO’s groundbreaking IMPACT Program, shaping the next generation of thinkers and innovators. At KO, we believe in empowering students to become agents of change, driving their learning through real-world challenges and interdisciplinary exploration. These courses immerse students in future-focused skills such as collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving.
Why is the IMPACT Program critical for our students?
Research shows that students learn more deeply when they can make choices, develop relationships in their communities, answer questions that are relevant to their lives, and develop future-focused skills: collaboration, communication, creative problem solving, reflection/innovation/iteration, empathy, research, technological and media literacy, and engaged citizenship.
Upper School Program
In the Upper School IMPACT Lab courses, students apply their skills to make a tangible impact. From delving into revolutionary civics with “We the People” to pioneering green construction in “Eco-Design & Construction,” students engage with hands-on experiences and industry experts to deepen their understanding and drive meaningful change. In the KO IMPACT Program, students lead with empathy, curiosity, and a passion for making a difference.
All Upper School IMPACT Lab courses are driven by four drivers:
- Interdisciplinary – so you understand the connection among subjects
- Connected to the community – so you put what you are learning into real context
- Centered around the understanding of an authentic question or problem – so you explore the complexity of challenges by being curious instead of certain
- Student-centered – so you can drive the learning process for yourself
KO’s IMPACT Program empowers students to become architects of their own learning, fostering essential skills, igniting curiosity, and inspiring meaningful change in our world. - Lisa Loeb, Head of the Upper School
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Upper School IMPACT Lab Courses
We the People: Civics & the Constitution
Engage in a revolutionary civics course that goes beyond the ordinary, providing a backstage pass to the workings of government. From crafting proposals for civic action projects to influencing the Connecticut “Kid Governor” election, this is your chance to be a living, breathing part of civic history. You will learn how power and responsibility are shared and limited by government, the impact American politics has on world affairs, the place of law in the American constitutional system, and which rights the American government guarantees its citizens. You will demonstrate your understanding of the Constitution through six mock congressional hearings that will have you write and present collaboratively and tackle historical and current constitutional questions. Hands-on, real-world applications will include helping facilitate the Connecticut “Kid Governor” election, submitting proposals for civic action projects to local civic bodies, and engaging in conversations with politicians at all levels across the political spectrum. This class is designed as a more intimate, impact-focused look at how the Constitution has, is, and can be applied to our lives. It will emphasize real-world connections, current events (including the elections of 2024), public speaking, and civic engagement.
Eco Design & Construction
Join us at the forefront of green construction in a groundbreaking course that goes beyond theory. In this course, you will roll up your sleeves to renovate a mobile outreach vehicle, catalyzing change through eco-smart design and construction. After researching sustainable construction practices, you will delve into the foundations of environmentally conscious design, learning to integrate sustainable concepts into architectural blueprints and project plans. You will engage in practical applications of eco-smart construction, from selecting sustainable materials to implementing energy-efficient technologies. Guided by industry experts and utilizing cutting-edge resources, you will gain a holistic understanding of green construction methodologies. Collaborative projects, site visits, and interaction with professionals in the field – including those who will be working on the renovation of KO’s Community Commons – will provide real-world insights, empowering you to contribute meaningfully to the eco-conscious future of the construction industry.
"We the People" with CT Speaker of the House
Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter ’00 visited the “We the People” IMPACT Class, a new initiative centered around civics and constitutional education. This was a dynamic, interactive session where the class rotated on a panel answering different topics. This class allowed students to delve into the U.S. Constitution and its evolution, focusing on key ideals such as independence, equality, liberty, and the consent of the governed.
Throughout the discussions, students provided historical context to underline how the voting landscape in the U.S. has evolved. They cited instances like Jim Crow laws, literacy tests, and poll taxes that once suppressed voter turnout among marginalized groups, illustrating the gradual progress toward a more inclusive democracy.
The students also acknowledged modern-day challenges such as partisan gerrymandering. They examined landmark Supreme Court cases, such as the 1993 case ruling racial gerrymandering unconstitutional and more recent debates on partisan gerrymandering, to discuss whether there are equitable ways to redraw districts.
“I wanted to reach out to thank you! Thank you for being part of the reason my son loves going to school every day. Thank you for lifting him up in his self-confidence as a student and helping instill a love for learning.
The “hearing” assignment in the IMPACT Program’s “We the People” class was an amazing learning experience for him. He called me after that class to tell me how excited he was to vote and that he knew what he had to do. His sidebar conversation and the feedback that my son received from Connecticut Speaker of the House, Mr Ritter, were profound.
Your belief in him and your ability to challenge him as a student have had and will continue to have an enormous impact on him as a young adult.”
Parent, Class of 2025
Middle School Program
In our Middle School Skills Incubator courses, students immerse themselves in future-focused skills such as collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving. Through team-taught classes and community outreach, students tackle authentic questions and share their growth during captivating Presentations of Learning.
- Students will build upon the strong academic skills learned in their core and elective courses while emphasizing personal responsibility, a growth mindset, and reflection.
- Future-focused and student-centered skills mesh with KO values through exposure to new ideas and service learning.
- Topics are infused with hands-on, authentic experiences.
SKILLS INCUBATOR COURSES 2023-2024
Entrepreneurship with Nexgeninnovators
The Happiness Lab: Strategies and Behaviors that Make You Happy
How are Science and Art Connected
How does Geography Impact Culture and Dance
The Hunger Gap: The Gaps in Food and Housing Insecurity
The Influence of Hip-Hop on the English Language
Make it Work: Simple Machines
MySpace to ChatGPT: How to Live in this Evolving World of Social Media
Social Causes and Protest through Music
Sola: Creating Peace through the Education of Afghan Girls
You Are What You Eat: The Relationship Between Food and Overall Well-Being
Wedding Planning 101: Mastering the Art of Event Planning from Concept to Execution
SKILLS INCUBATOR COURSES 2024-2025
A cappella
Book Buddies
Leadership: Cup Day Planning
Dance and Music
Data Science, AI, and You
Farm 101
Farm 101: Food Lab Plants and Urban Agriculture
Farm 101: What about the beef?
Form 2 Speeches
History of KO
Hunger Gap
The Impact of AI
Jewelry Making
Leadership Lab: In the Neighborhood
Little Libraries
Mamba Mentality
Math in Art, Art in Math
Middle School Musical
Model UN at KO
Pass the Bricks
Science Fair
Social Entrepreneurship
Theater Tech
Think Like an Engineer
Skills Incubator: Farm 101
Middle school students in the Farm 101 Skills Incubator class recently had an unforgettable experience—visiting Smyth Trinity Dairy Farm as part of their curriculum. Led by their Middle School art teacher, Katherine Nicholson, a passionate farmer herself, this hands-on experience aimed to deepen students’ understanding of where food comes from and the challenges faced by modern agriculture.
For Nicholson, who juggles farm life and teaching, the idea for Farm 101 started from her own personal experiences. Nicholson raises three types of sheep, four beef cows, feeder pigs, and laying hens. She noticed how many students have a disconnect between their everyday meals and the hard work behind the production of food. “We’re moving further and further away from where our food comes from,” she said, noting how easily people assume food will always be available at grocery stores. COVID-19 supply chain disruptions heightened her awareness of the need to educate students on agriculture’s complexities.
Our focus with these skills incubators is to lead with skills that we think are important for a student’s future and to match them with content areas not necessarily in our curriculum. - Ann Sciglimpaglia, Head of the Middle School
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