 Rather than relying on tests and grades to measure student progress, the New School High School or NSHS abolished these practices and instead centered on individualized learning centered on all-encompassing yearly themes.Work completed during the course of the year was collected in a portfolio, which served as an alternative method of measuring student's achievements (rather than using grades).The NSHS also had rather lax policies, compared to traditional public schools, in such areas as scheduling, dress codes, etc.