South Bay Preparatory |
| To Prepare, Support, and Inspire a Diverse Community of Students For Success at a Four-Year University and in Life |
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Campbell, CA 95008
CHARTER SCHOOL BASICS
Q: What is a charter school?
A: Charter schools can be thought of as an entrepreneurial startup. Officially, a charter school is a public school operating under an agreement (the charter) with a chartering authority, such as a school district. Charter schools are free from many regulations that apply to other public schools. In exchange for this freedom, charter schools are held to a very high standard of success, and may be closed for failure to reach this standard. For some more unbiased info on charter schools, go to Ed Source at http://www.edsource.org/edu_chart.cfm
Q: Was South Bay Prep’s charter approved?
A: Yes!!! South Bay Prep’s charter was approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Education on March 19, 2008.
Q: When will South Bay Prep open?
A: We are working toward opening in Fall 2009.
Q: Where will South Bay Prep be located?
A: We are currently considering facilities that are centrally located within the CUHSD boundaries.
Q: How much does it cost to attend South Bay Prep?
A: Charter schools are public schools – education is provided free of charge. All public schools receive per-pupil funding from the state. State funding follows the student – that is, the money for the student goes to the school that the student attends.
We will do fundraising to supplement state funding. Families will be asked to make a contribution and/or participate in fundraising events. No student will be denied admittance due to the family’s inability to participate in fundraising.
Q: How are students selected?
A: There are no admission requirements. Parents must attend a South Bay Prep information meeting prior to enrolling their student. If more students than we can accommodate seek to enroll, then we will have a public lottery for admission. In the event of a lottery, siblings will be enrolled together, and, in future years, siblings of current students will have preference over other incoming students. See SBP’s Recruitment and Enrollment Plan for more details.
Q: Does a student have to live in the Campbell Union High School District to attend South Bay Prep?
A: Students from anywhere in California may attend South Bay Prep, but because SBP’s petition was initially presented to CUHSD, students living in the district must be given preference over out-of-district students in a weighted lottery – that is, district students will have a greater chance of being selected in the lottery than out-of-district students.
Q: What grades will South Bay Prep have and how big will it be?
A: We plan to open with about 200 students in 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, and 9 th grades. At full operation, SBP will enroll about 300-325 students in grades 6-12, up to about 50 students per grade. We plan to enroll somewhat fewer than 50 incoming 6 th graders each year to leave room for 7 th graders entering from elementary schools that go through 6 th grade.
Q: Why will South Bay Prep combine middle school and high school?
A: There is a lot of evidence that the transition from 8 th to 9 th grade is a very difficult one for many students. By having 6 th-12 th grade in one school, that transition is eliminated. For more information, see SBP’s Basis in Research and Practice.
Q: How big will classes be at South Bay Prep?
A: Students will be grouped in multi-age Advisory groups of 20-25 students and 1 teacher. They will generally stay in that group throughout their years at SBP, although changes will be made if the placement is not a good fit (with the group or with the teacher). Groups of 4 to 6 Advisories (100-150 students with 4-6 teachers credentialed in different subject areas) will form Learning Communities that work together.
Q: What is South Bay Prep’s daily schedule?
A: South Bay Prep has a flexible daily schedule. The schedule is not finalized, but it is likely to go from 8:30-4:15 (with an hour for lunch and “Healthy Living” – i.e., recess/P.E.). There will be an afternoon flex period (from 3:30 to 4:15) for tutoring, remediation, clubs, and other activities. Students who have extracurricular activities off campus may be dismissed prior to the flex period.
Q: Who will South Bay Prep’s Executive Director (Principal) be?
A: Dan Ordaz, a highly experienced administrator, is currently working with us as our interim Director to guide our start-up. SBP’s permanent Executive Director will be a highly qualified administrator and educator who believes passionately in our philosophy and educational model. We are in the process of seeking out this individual.
Q: How many teachers will South Bay Prep have, and when and how will you hire them?
A: SBP will have 1 teacher for every 25 or so students. We expect to have 8 teachers the first year and up to 14 teachers at full operation. We are currently recruiting teachers who have a single-subject (secondary school) credential. If you know any teachers who might be interested in South Bay Prep, please refer them to our web site or our job posting on EdJoin.
We will hire teachers through the usual routes (advertising on the EdJoin web site, contacting local teacher training programs, etc.) as well as through the Coalition of Essential Schools, which attracts teachers who have a philosophy that is congruent with South Bay Prep’s. We have a thorough hiring process, informed by the practice of other EdVisions schools, to make sure that all South Bay Prep teachers will be a good fit for our school.
PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM
Q: How did joining the EdVisions network change South Bay Prep?
A: When we first heard about EdVisions, we felt that it was a great match for SBP, because the EdVisions model has the same underlying goals, values, and educational philosophy that SBP started with. The EdVisions Schools model is less traditional and more innovative than the original conception of SBP. It takes ideas that were present in the original SBP model (such as senior projects and interdisciplinary classes) to a whole new level. For more information, see www.edvisions.com.
Q: What are the “new 4 R’s?”
A: The new 4 R’s are Relationships, Relevance, Rigor, and Resources. This idea comes from the Gates Foundation report, “High Schools for the New Millennium.” In the EdVisions model, “Relationships” refers to the support provided by the Advisory structure and small learning communities; “Relevance” refers to the way that project-based learning connects students’ work to their interests and to the real world; “Rigor” refers to the many ways in which the educational program ensures that students are learning all of the content and skills that they need to succeed; and “Resources” refers both to learning materials as well as to participation by and partnerships with parents, community members, public institutions such as libraries and museums, and businesses that support the school and student learning.
Q: What courses will be offered at South Bay Prep?
A: SBP will not have a traditional menu of courses and daily schedule of periods punctuated by bells. The primary means by which students will master the content standards and complete coursework will be through projects that they devise, guided and evaluated by their Advisors (credentialed teachers). Students will have access to content seminars, skills workshops, computer-based learning, tutoring, and other learning experiences to support the rigor of their projects and to provide additional remediation and/or enrichment. For more information, see SBP’s Student Academic Performance Plan.
Q: Will South Bay Prep graduates meet the requirements for UC/CSU admission?
A: Yes. EdVisions Schools will work with SBP in submitting its curriculum to the University of California and the California State University with the goal of meeting the “A-G” requirements for college entrance eligibility into UC or CSU. SBP graduation requirements are based on the “A-G” requirements.Q: Will South Bay Prep offer AP courses?
A: All South Bay Prep students will have the opportunity to earn college credits before they graduate from high school, either by completing rigorous projects that prepare them to take AP exams, by engaging in distance learning AP courses, or by taking courses at a nearby community college.
Q: Can students take advanced “courses” if they are ready but not in the “right” grade?
A: South Bay Prep’s individualized approach means that students can work at their own level and their own pace. That means that a student who is in, for example, 9 th grade, could be doing math anywhere from algebra to calculus, depending on his or her readiness.
Q: Will South Bay Prep offer math through calculus?
A: Yes. Students will have access to math through BC calculus and even beyond, through a variety of resources, including computer-based learning and community college courses.Q: Will South Bay Prep have lab facilities for science classes?
A: In order to be approved for UC/CSU “A-G” requirements, SBP must offer lab science with appropriate facilities.Q: What foreign languages will be offered?
A: Primarily Spanish. However, if students wish, they may study other languages independently (e.g., using Rosetta Stone) or in small groups.
Q: Will students who are already fluent and literate in Spanish (or another language) be able to study it at an advanced level?
A: Yes. Because of the individualized nature of SBP’s program, students coming from a Dual Immersion program, for example, will be able to continue to study the language at their own level, through content seminars and by integrating the language into their student-directed projects (for example, by doing a project on the literature and history of Mexico).
Q: Will there be homework?
A: There may be some homework from skills workshops and content seminars. However, the assignments may appear less traditional (e.g., not always paper and pencil), and the evaluations may be ongoing (e.g., continuing the work until it is satisfactory).
In addition, students will often be so enthusiastic about their projects that they will wish to continue working on them after school hours – they will work at home, but it will not be assigned homework in the usual sense.
Q: Will there be art at South Bay Prep?
A: Yes. The arts (visual art, music, theater, etc.) will be offered in content seminars, and students will also incorporate the arts into their projects and the public presentations of their projects. In addition, students will have the opportunity to form extracurricular clubs to pursue the arts, such as photography club, chorus, jazz band, pottery club, etc. – whatever they are interested in. They will also be able to pursue the arts during Community-Based Learning weeks – e.g., working in a local artist’s studio.
Q: Will South Bay Prep students go on field trips?
A: An essential aspect of SBP’s project-based curriculum is the connection to the real world. Students will go on “field trips” related to the content of their projects. For example, students who are doing a project on Ancient Egypt might go to the Rosicrucian Museum. Students who are doing a project on wetlands might participate in a South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project working group.
Q: Does South Bay Prep have grades?
A: Yes. Students’ work will be graded. Teachers will evaluate students’ work in seminars and on projects and assign points and/or letter grades in addition to narrative evaluations.
Q: Will South Bay Prep students have transcripts?
A: Yes. South Bay Prep will use Project Foundry, a web-based project management system, to track students’ progress. Project Foundry can automatically convert the record of a student’s project-based learning at South Bay Prep into a traditional-looking transcript for college applications, etc.
Q: How often will students be tested?
A: South Bay Prep will do all of the state- and federally-required testing (STAR, CAHSEE, CELDT, etc.). In addition, students will be tested for placement at the beginning of each year, and they will be assessed periodically throughout the year to keep track of their progress. Testing will be integrated into the curriculum appropriately to make sure that students are meeting their learning goals. SBP will not “teach to the test.”
COMMUNITY AND ACTIVITIES
Q: What is a democratic learning community?
A: In a democratic learning community, everyone has a voice, and everyone is responsible for and takes ownership of the success of each student and the school as a whole. “Everyone” includes SBP’s staff, students, and parents. Decisions will be made democratically and by consensus whenever possible. The democratic “Circle process” will be used for decision making at various levels, from an individual advisory group to school-wide. South Bay Prep will use Restorative Justice to address misbehavior and conflicts. For more information, see SBP’s Governance Model and SBP’s Plan for Student Academic Performance.
Q: What is Restorative Justice?
A: One of the essential features of South Bay Prep is that it will be a democratic community. Part of this approach is that problems will be resolved between the parties involved, rather than discipline being meted out by an outside authority figure. Restorative practices seek to make things right for all parties involved – those who have been harmed, those who have caused the harm, and the community in which they live and in which the harm was done. The primary vehicle for SBP’s restorative practices will be the Circle process. The Circle process is an example of social democracy. It provides each participant an opportunity to speak without fear of interruptions, name calling, or immediate reactions to what is said. The process invites reflection before speaking, which serves as a basis for problem solving, development of solutions and agreement, together.
For more about restorative justice, see South Bay Prep’s Plan for Student Academic Performance, SBP’s Basis in Research and Practice, and online resources, including: http://www.restorativejustice.org/intro, http://www.restorativejustice.com/Schooling%20for%20Peace.html, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice
Q: How will South Bay Prep address the issue of cultural awareness?
A: SBP will have a diverse community that reflects the diversity of the surrounding area. We will emphasize respect for and celebration of our differences and our commonalities. We will institute school traditions and rituals that will be drawn from our students’ and families’ diverse backgrounds. Students may choose to explore their own or other cultures in their projects, which will be presented to the school community during public presentation events. Students may form clubs to explore different cultures and traditions. In addition, the daily Healthy Living period is an opportunity for cultural events – performances or participatory workshops – such as Indian folk dance, sushi making, mariachi, etc.
Q: How are parents involved in the school?
A: Parent involvement is central to our vision. Parents will have the opportunity to participate actively and meaningfully in their student’s education at South Bay Prep. According to State Board of Education Policy #89-01, “research has shown conclusively that parent involvement improves student achievement,” and that “schools that undertake and support strong comprehensive parent involvement efforts are more likely to produce students who perform better than identical schools that do not involve parents.”
All parents will be asked to commit to at least 40 hours per year of volunteer work at the school. Parents will have the opportunity to participate in the life of the school in a variety of ways that match their interests, abilities, and time availability. In no instance will a student be refused admission or subjected to any consequences or form of discipline because of a failure of a parent to fulfill this commitment.
We expect parents to be involved in all facets of their student’s education, beginning with the development of their student’s Personal Learning Plan and monitoring their student’s progress throughout the project process. Parents will have the opportunity to get involved in the learning community as mentors on projects or as tutors in their areas of interest and expertise. They may also help facilitate community-based learning.
Other opportunities to participate will be outside of school hours, on the Board and on committees and parent action teams that support the school in various ways, such as fundraising and organizing school community events. For a list of possible parent roles, see SBP’s Parent Volunteer Roles.
Q: Will volunteers be screened?
A: Yes. All volunteers who have contact with students must provide evidence of a negative TB test. Also, all volunteers who will have more than one-time contact with students will undergo fingerprinting and a background check. Volunteers who drive on field trips will be required to provide proof of insurance and a clean driving record.
Q: What is Community-Based Learning (originally called “Intensives”)?
A: South Bay Prep students will have the opportunity to participate in two Community-Based Learning weeks each year. These learning opportunities may include community service projects, educational travel, an offsite project with one of our corporate partners (e.g., working in a medical research lab, shadowing a realtor), or participation in a seminar or workshop led by a parent or community/business volunteer. Seminars will be arranged based on student interest and the areas of expertise of our volunteers. Examples of possible seminar topics include: art history and appreciation at a museum, neuroanatomy in a pathology lab, computer animation techniques, quilting, marine biology, sailing, martial arts, robotics, and theater.
If you know of a company that might wish to host our students for Community-Based Learning OR if you are interested in teaching a seminar during one of these periods, please contact us!
Q: Will students wear a school uniform?
A: We do not expect to have a school uniform. Students will be expected to dress appropriately for school. However, as a democratic community, the South Bay Prep community (students, staff, and parents) may choose to have a uniform or a standardized dress code.
Q: Will South Bay Prep have extracurricular activities?
A: Yes. Groups of students may form clubs and affiliate with national organizations based on their interests. Examples include jazz band, choir, folkloric dance, chess club, travel club, National Honor Society, and AFS Intercultural Programs. Clubs and other activities will be advised by SBP staff, parents, or community volunteers.
Q: Will South Bay Prep have physical education (P.E.)?
A: Yes. Every day, students will have the opportunity for physical activity during the Healthy Living period after lunch. This may include organized activities such as yoga class, jogging club, and more traditional P.E. activities.
Q: Will South Bay Prep have organized sports teams?
A: SBP will have sports teams based on students’ interests. They will be coached by teachers, parents, and/or community volunteers. SBP teams may compete with other small schools in the area. In addition, students may participate in club teams outside of school.
IS SOUTH BAY PREP RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?
Q: How does South Bay Prep stand out from the other options I have for my child?
A: SBP offers an innovative program that is unique in the Bay Area. We are the only EdVisions School in this part of California. No other school in this area – public or private – offers this kind of project-based, college prep curriculum.
Q: I’m worried about sending my child to a brand new school. Will things go smoothly?
A: Any new venture will encounter some difficulties. However, we are not starting from scratch – we have the support of EdVisions and other local charter schools and charter school organizations.
We think that it will be a very special experience for the students who attend SBP in the first year. They will have the opportunity to shape many of the rituals and the culture that will define our school and, as pioneers, to bond in a unique way.
However, you must be aware that there is some risk. In particular, Campbell Union High School District will not allow students to transfer credits from an unaccredited school, and we expect it will take 2-3 years for South Bay Prep to gain full WASC accreditation. Therefore, if your child attends SBP for 9 th grade and then decides to transfer to a CUHSD high school, he or she may have to repeat courses.
Q: What is South Bay Prep’s theme (e.g., technology, performing arts)?
A: South Bay Prep does not have a theme. However, any student with specialized interests can pursue those interests as much as they wish by tailoring their projects to address their interests (while at the same time covering all of the required college prep content). In addition, the flexible schedule allows students to pursue special interests such as performing in local theater or ballet productions.Q: What kinds of students should attend South Bay Prep?
A: South Bay Prep will not be right for every student. It is aimed at an ethnically, economically, and academically diverse group of students, who fall into at least one of the following categories:
ALL South Bay Prep students should desire to pursue a college-preparatory educational program, designed to prepare them for success in college and beyond. There will be no “tracks” at SBP, so all SBP students should expect to meet the rigorous college prep requirements to be eligible to apply to UC/CSU or other colleges and universities. Significant support will be available to help students reach that goal.
Q: Will South Bay Prep meet the needs of English Language Learners?
A: English Language Learners (ELLs) will have full access to SBP’s educational program. SBP will have a County-approved English Language Learners Plan. ELL students will participate in the usual Advisory structure and project-based learning, supplemented by content seminars and workshops, and they will also participate in intervention for literacy instruction until they have achieved their English learning goals in their Personal Learning Plans and been designated as English Proficient. Helping students learn to use English and learn in English are instrumental in ensuring that SBP’s mission, that every student will be prepared for a four-year university, is attained.
Q: What about Special Education – can students with special needs attend South Bay Prep?
A: All public schools are required by law to meet the needs of any special education student. No student otherwise eligible to enroll at the school will be denied enrollment based on his/her disability status. Special education services and accommodations will be available to South Bay Prep students. The school will implement a program based on an inclusive philosophy and model that focuses on preventing learning deficits and comprehensively serving students with disabilities.
Many EdVisions schools have a high percentage of special education students who are very successful in this educational model.
For more information, see SBP’s Student Academic Performance Plan (Section g. Specialized Instructional Strategies – Instructional Strategies for Special Education).
Q: It sounds like SBP students will have a lot of autonomy. What if my child is not self-directed?
A: It depends on what you mean by “not self-directed.” If your child works well in a traditional, structured educational environment, completing the work that is assigned, then he or she may not need SBP’s alternative approach. If you mean that you have to hound your child to do his or her homework, then maybe the problem is that he or she is not a good fit for the traditional school model.
Most traditional schools do not reward students for being truly self-directed in their learning. At SBP, the focus is on personalized learning, in which students take ownership of and responsibility for their learning. They become self-directed because what they are learning is relevant to their interests, and they are supported by the strong relationships that are fostered in the advisory. Furthermore, students know that their work will be publicly presented at quarterly “Celebrations of Learning,” which is a motivating factor in itself – think about the difference between creating a project (such as a research report, a performance, or a web site) that will be presented to the entire school community and writing an essay that will be read only by the teacher who is grading it. Which do you think would motivate your child more?
In addition, SBP’s individualized approach will help students utilize their strengths and address their weaknesses. Students will have access to workshops on study skills (such as how to organize their time), and Advisors will help guide students who need that extra “push” until they are able to work more independently.
Q: Is South Bay Prep the right choice for my child?
A: Only you and your child can answer that, but please contact us ( info@southbayprep.org) if you have other questions. South Bay Prep is a very different kind of school – it is not like the traditional middle and high schools that most of us attended. It will have a lot of special and exciting opportunities, and we believe it is a great way for students to learn, but it will not be able to offer everything that a large, comprehensive public school can offer.
You should choose South Bay Prep if you agree with our educational philosophy and approach and because you believe that it will be a good fit for your child and your family (keeping in mind the expectation of parent participation), not just because you are unhappy with your other options for middle and high school.