Why CHAI?

An Exploration of Campbell Hall Advanced Inquiry (CHAI) Courses

A pivotal 2016 report by the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common Project, endorsed by over 150 college admissions deans nationwide, called for a shift in how student achievement is defined, emphasizing intellectual engagement over traditional metrics.

In response, Campbell Hall conducted a thorough review of its curriculum to identify courses that foster inquiry-driven learning. The school reassessed its Advanced Placement offerings and, guided by these findings, began developing a distinctive set of college-level courses rooted in deep, meaningful academic exploration known as Campbell Hall Advanced Inquiry (CHAI).

These redesigned courses were submitted to the University of California for approval and successfully met its standards.

“CHAI courses prepare students for college in a way that authentically aligns with Campbell Hall’s mission,” said Elena Malone, high school history teacher and CHAI Coordinator.

CHAI teachers participate in extensive professional development through the Buck Institute for Education, considered the gold standard for Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL emphasizes real-world application, providing students with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their studies. Driven by student inquiry and modeled after college courses, CHAI classes focus on projects and processes rather than teaching to a test, with teamwork as a core component.

Assessments in CHAI courses are based on authentic projects relevant to the unit of study. Students might develop a UN policy to address a real-world global challenge, create a media campaign to combat social ills, or design, analyze, and test 3D-printed bridges. These assessments are reviewed by third-party experts in the field, providing an objective perspective and deeper insight into student work.

“When you unshackle the class from the restraints of timed testing and multiple choice questions, you open the door for students to explore the topic from a much more individualized and inquisitive perspective,” said Jeremy Grossman, who teaches CHAI Literature. “You can do really innovative projects that ask students to show their complex understanding in a lot of different and creative ways. You also have the ability to zoom in for depth versus breadth on whatever the topic.”

Students value how CHAI courses allow them to develop a rich understanding of a topic. During lunch with the Head of School, seniors expressed their positive experiences with the program. One student reflected, “In CHAI classes, you gain more insight into the real world, and the teachers make learning more fulfilling.”

Campbell Hall continues to offer a number of AP courses, particularly in the Math and World Language departments. These subjects tend to be well-suited to the AP format and allow students to build foundational skills that are critical for success in advanced studies. In this way, Campbell Hall offers a well-rounded academic program.

“In recent years, there has been a shift on many fronts in the college admissions process,” noted Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Counseling. “The persistence of test-optional admissions policies is evidence that colleges are rethinking how standardized tests are indicative of scholarship potential. Colleges are creating communities where critical thinking and discourse, rigorous and free inquiry, intellectual ambition, and creativity are both celebrated and nurtured. They want curious learners who say, ‘Tell me more,’ engage deeply with knowledge, thrive on the process of inquiry, and are contemplating how we make sense of and impact the world around us. Colleges recognize and applaud the CHAI coursework as a unique approach to teaching and learning that will foster these skills and habits of mind.”

CHAI courses exemplify Campbell Hall’s innovative academic programming, encouraging students to explore complex topics, apply their knowledge to real-world problems, and collaborate with teachers and peers. Campbell Hall will continue to refine its curricula based on the needs of the students, sound research, and mission-driven innovation to create a program that is intellectually stimulating and engaging. Encouraging a deeper understanding of subject material feeds students’ natural curiosity and promotes lifelong learning, which, in the end, is what education is all about.

The Nine Pillars of CHAI