Project Overview

The Other Side is a compelling product of student-powered learning. When faced with the statistic that every 26 seconds in America a student drops out of school, HSRA students reacted with shock and disbelief—then they took action. Investigating this statistic through in-depth research, students became passionate about building a campaign to combat student dropout rates. Their work—called BMOR26— was thought-led by HRSA students and sponsored by State Farm. It included: engaging social media; working on a logo; garnering pledges from students; an entire album around dropout prevention; and videos to explain the power and importance of school.

HSRA is a project-based, public charter school that operates within and around a professional recording studio. Students earn time in the studio by completing academic projects in the core learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Projects address an authentic audience, stem from students self-identified passions, and inspire students to learn about real-world issues as they create high-quality products to increase public awareness. HSRA encourages students who may have dropped out or been pushed out from traditional schools to complete their diplomas through a love of music and the music business.

The Visual Inclusion Program (VIP) puts special education students in the leadership role. VIP encourages special education students to learn about video production, visual arts, and design—and to then contribute in important ways to video projects.