Academic Program

Students at the Community Schoolhouse are placed into one of three available program options: Integrated Academic Studies, Integrated Studies with Literary Emphasis, and the Bridge Program for credit-deficient juniors and seniors. Integrated thematic learning, teaching teams, skill development, communication, teamwork, local and global interaction, and flexible scheduling form the foundation of all three instructional programs. In addition, students from all three programs benefit from Enrichment and Remediation electives, community connections through mentorships and service learning projects, youth services and counseling support, Spanish language support, and a personal academic advisor.  Aspects of The Community Schoolhouse's academic program are below.

"A vision without a task is but a dream, 

A task without a vision is drudgery, 

A vision with a task is the hope of the world."

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Educational Phases 

Students progress through three educational phases over their four-year high school experience at The Community Schoolhouse. Each phase is tailored to the needs of the student and builds upon knowledge and skill gained in earlier phases.  A student who successfully completes all three educational phases will have had the opportunity to gain and utilize the skills and knowledge necessary meet graduation, CIM, CAM and PASS requirements in order to be successful in higher education and/or the workforce.  These phases are: 

                           Foundation Phase

Grades 9 and 10  - students gain foundation knowledge and skills in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Language, Health, P.E., Technology, and workplace skills while focusing on CIM benchmarks. 

·        Development Phase

Grade 11 – students further develop knowledge and sills while enhancing personal academic and career interests through thematic learning contracts.

·        Application Phase

Grade 12  - students continue to further develop knowledge and skills through thematic learning contracts while applying content knowledge and skills within the school and community through a personalized Community Action Project.

An example of typical credits earned towards graduation within each educational phase can be seen on Progressing Toward Graduation.

Integrated Academic Studies

Instruction at the Community Schoolhouse is both integrated and subject-specific, with emphasis on integrated team teaching. Teams of teachers work together to design projects, lessons and activities for cross-curricular thematic units of study. The team approach to teaching generates a dynamic learning environment. It reduces the student-teacher ratio and increases the opportunity to employ alternative methods of assessment as well as give students increased opportunities for academic success. Teaching teams are based on the Community Schoolhouse Learning Areas of:

• Language and the Arts – Students enhance their reading, writing and communication skills as well as their literary knowledge. Students will also explore the Arts, Humanities, and Drama. English, Language Arts, and Humanities credit can be obtained in the block.

 

• Math & BodyWorks – Starting from their current skill and knowledge level in math and technology, students progress in proficiency towards the math state standards in calculations, estimations, measurement, statistics probability, algebra, geometry, and problem solving. Students also focus on the theme "gender" and explore the chemical makeup, physiology, and needs of the body and brain. Students explore the field of sociology in general as well as a specific focus on the role of men and women in society.

 

• Science & Society – Students acquire and apply knowledge and skills from the natural sciences, including biology, physical science, earth science and environmental science, along with the social sciences including history, government, economics, geography, and global issues. Science and Social Studies credit can be obtained in this block.

 

Three times a year – at the end of the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms – staff from all of the Learning Areas together create a full-school integrated thematic performance task. These projects are designed to allow students to demonstrate the application of content knowledge and skills and are the culmination of a term’s worth of work.

Integrated Studies with Literacy Emphasis

The Community Schoolhouse Integrated Studies with Literary Emphasis program is a self-contained classroom designed to increase student skills in all academic areas, with the main focus centering on reading and math. The program utilizes the READ 180 program, a multi-task, computer-based curriculum. READ 180 was developed to increase skills in all areas of Language Arts: Spelling, Writing, Fluency, Comprehension, Decoding and Speaking. The Audio Center allows student students to read any of the books available, regardless of the level of difficulty. Or students can choose to select a book that matches their predetermined "Lexile" score and read independently in the quiet reading area of the classroom. From there, students move to the Direct Instruction Area where the emphasis is on increasing the skills needed in written language for successfully passing state required competencies.

Integrated Studies with Literary Emphasis also utilizes Excel Math, designed to increase concept understandings in ever increasing levels of difficulty. Students again work in three centers. The Direct Teaching Center emphasizes working with hands-on materials so students can make sense of the book work. Students then transition to the Book Center where there is a teacher available to answer specific questions. The last group is the Independent Center in which students continue the same work that has been demonstrated.

Both READ 180 and Excel Math allow students to move from group to group throughout the morning. The afternoon block is used to teach Science and Health.

Enrichment & Remediation

Students at the Community Schoolhouse have the opportunity to earn additional credits by participating in electives through the Enrichment and Remediation (ER) program. This ER time is designed to allow students to enrich their learning beyond the classroom and/or to seek out individualized academic support that enhances their academic performance. Activities include:

MORNINGS

• Physical Education (P.E.). Weight lifting, basketball, racquetball, walking, jogging, and other activities at the YMCA.

• Quiet Learning Lab. This lab provides extra time to work on and get assistance on school assignments.

• Spanish for Native Speakers. Native speakers of Spanish will have the opportunity to explore Spanish and literature.

• Yearbook & Student Organization. Planning, designing, and creating the school’s yearbook, as well as deciding on and planning other key school activities and events.

 

AFTERNOONS

• International Schoolhouse. Working on environmental projects in the local community and on Internet projects with students from different countries throughout the world.

• Drama. Learning and developing skills in the dramatic arts and working towards the creation of a theatrical production.

• Watersheds, Wildlife & Whatnot. Working to promote sustainable wildlife habitat sites and watersheds through site mapping, restoration projects, plant and species studies, field trips, river floats, and more.

Senior Community Action Project

During the final year of school, in order to graduate, seniors must complete a Senior Community Action Project. This is a .5 credit course required by the Community Schoolhouse. Seniors design their yearlong Community Action Project around their career interest(s) and incorporate research, job shadow experiences, goal setting, service components, and a public presentation of their project.  

Final  Integrated Performance Tasks

The Community Schoolhouse provides students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained over the course of each term in each of their Learning Areas. This occurs through school-wide integrated performance tasks that teaching team build collaboratively at the end of each term. 

Examples

 International Schoolhouse

The Community Schoolhouse joins students and staff from schools in nine different countries (Argentina, Australia, China, Israel, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Uganda, and the United States) as members of The International Schoolhouse organization.

 This global network of schools work collaboratively on projects and activities through a common framework which promotes Local Action, Community Education, and Global Collaboration.  

Staff and students from each participating school share information and research about their communities and the environment by communicating formally and informally via the Internet. Every two-three years, representatives from each of the schools have the opportunity to meet face-to-face at an international youth summit. Previous summits were held in Oregon, Australia and Japan.

Second Language Program

The Community Schoolhouse recognizes the importance of bilingual skills and encourages both transitional English Language Learners (ELL) and Native Speakers to build and enhance their bilingual skills (English/Spanish) while promoting cultural respect and understanding. The Community Schoolhouse offers:

• Transitional ESL – Students whose primary language is other than English will be encouraged to be a part of the ESL/Bilingual ER group. Students who choose to participate in the ESL/Bilingual ER group will receive language support for work in other classes and, at the same time, focus on enhancing their English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. 

• Spanish for Native Speakers – Students whose primary language is Spanish will have the opportunity to enhance their Spanish language and bilingual skills by completing a course designed for native Spanish speakers. 

Mentorship Program

The Community Schoolhouse links students with members of the community in working partnerships. These interns are placed at sites based on students’ career interests. This requires a site supervisor to take on a mentorship role, one that fosters a true "teacher-student" relationship. 

Student interns work closely with adult mentors to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. Prior to placement, students are involved in Community Classroom activities designed to prepare them for their mentorship experience. Students further define and develop workplace skills at their mentorship site and at school.

Staff will work in partnership with mentors to develop positive and useful experiences for students. Staff will maintain communication with mentor sites to help mentors develop ideas and activities for their student, monitor student progress and problem-solve any questions or concerns. 

Service Learning

      The link between classroom education and its application to solving problems becomes evident through service projects. Students at the Community Schoolhouse will have the opportunity to participate in a number of Service Learning projects throughout the school year that are designed to provide a benefit for society or serve a need within the community. Key elements of the service learning program are needs assessment, meaningful service, structured reflection, celebration and recognition and evaluation.

Adventure Program

Building self-esteem, improving teamwork, accepting personal challenge, and discovery of self are all key ingredients involved in the Community Schoolhouse Adventure Program. It is the school’s philosophy that adventure is a natural and ongoing aspect of the educational process as well as life. Through the setting of academic, social, and personal goals, meeting challenges, and experiencing success, students will develop and grow in their self-esteem, teamwork, leadership skills, and independent courage. In addition to challenge and adventure being a daily cornerstone within the school, staff will provide opportunities throughout the school year for challenge and adventure within the local community and beyond.

      Support Program

The Community Schoolhouse provides a supporting environment where students receive strong personal support that focuses on academic achievement, improved self-esteem and personal growth. The Community Schoolhouse believes that in order for a student to reach their full potential as a young adult, a partnership between the parents/guardians, school and community resources will develop into a productive working relationship. The school will offer:

• Advising – Staff will meet periodically with individual students to focus on academic progress and other issues impacting teenagers at the school and within the community. Staff meets regularly to review students’ progress and will make recommendations to students and parents/guardians in regards to intervention options.

• Support Room – Students encountering struggles with academic and/or behavioral issues will have access to the Support Room. This room is designed to provide a small, quiet setting for students to re-group and return to their daily routine.

• Counseling Services – The Community Schoolhouse is able to offer counseling services to students through an experienced team of volunteer counselors. Students can refer themselves or are referred by school staff for counseling services. The school’s policy is that the student will be seen one time and then, if the need for counseling is indicated and is going to continue, the parents will be asked to give permission. Students will not continue in counseling without parent permission.

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contact: school@communityschoolhouse.org