Colorado Springs School District 11

School Board Work Session

Wasson High School

Mission: To provide bold, innovative, and inspirational instruction that will develop students into productive, competent 21st century citizens.

WHERE WE STAND1,055 Wasson students

Enrollment has declined by

30% over the past five years

45% of students living within WHS

boundaries permit out of WHS

WHERE WE STANDFree and Reduced Lunch increase

from 38% to 54% (2006-2009)

2009 CSAP composite score:

35.39% proficient or advanced

Graduation rate: 72.3% Attendance rate: 87.4%

ACHIEVEMENT GAP45% of all students proficient in writing

33% minority

25% of all students are proficient in math

10% minority

Minority dropout rate 7.6%

Overall dropout rate 4.3%

WASSON: CSIA COLORADO SCHOOL OF

INNOVATION

WASSON IN 20141,582 Wasson students

Enrollment has increased by

50% over the past five years

10% of students living within WHS

boundaries permit out of WHS

WASSON IN 20142014 CSAP composite score:

100% proficient or advanced

Minority dropout rate is EQUAL to overall rate

Graduation rate: 90%

Attendance rate: 95%

FRESHMAN INNOVATION ACADEMY

(PAGES 17-18)

General studies curriculumCore teams of teachersEnhanced by an extra study hourData-driven academic supportsIntensive nine-week academy sessions

GENERAL CURRICULUMRelationships, Relevance, and RigorAVID-supported curriculum (p.11)Comprehensive student interventions (p.12-14)Career pathwaysSenior project (p. 22)Supported by three dedicated learning academies

GO GREEN!(PAGE 10)

Wasson will be the first high school to GO GREEN in Colorado Springs.

Composting, recycling, energy efficiencyCurriculum with a “Go Green” themeCommunity service and outreachSenior projects with a “Green” focus

UPPER-LEVEL ACADEMIES

Arts Law & Leadership Science/Math

Focused curriculum and career pathwaysMentorships and external partnershipsAdjunct professional instructors

ARTS ACADEMY(PAGES 18-20)

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Communication Arts Culinary Arts

Dance Music

Theater Technical Theater

Visual Arts

OUTCOMES

Student portfolio ICAP (Career Plan)

Internships Mentorships

ARTS ACADEMY(PARTNERSHIP CONFIRMATIONS INCLUDED IN

NOTEBOOK)

POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Business of Art Center Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs Philharmonic Colorado Springs Conservatory Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Manitou Art Theater

LAW & LEADERSHIPACADEMY

(PAGES 20-21)

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Civil & Criminal Law

Leadership & Constitutional Law

Environmental Law

OUTCOMES

Senior project/portfolio ICAP (Career Plan) Internships Mentorships Required volunteer service component

LAW & LEADERSHIPACADEMY

POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Colorado Legends & Legacies Youth Corps Citizen’s Project City of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Police Department TESSA (Domestic Violence) Teen Court

SCIENCE/MATH ACADEMY(PAGES 21-22)

AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Physical Science

Life/Medical Science

Environmental Science Math Disciplines for college-bound students

OUTCOMES

Senior team project ICAP (Career Plan)

Internships Mentorships

SCIENCE/MATH ACADEMY

POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Catamount Institute Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Peak Vista Penrose Hospital Rocky Mountain Field Institute Trails and Open Space Coalition

STUDENT SUPPORT(PAGES 13-14)

AVID implemented school-wide Data-driven classroom response Core teacher teams Response to Intervention (RtI) Saturday Academy Wasson After Hours Read 180 SuccessMaker

PUTTING INNOVATIONSINTO PRACTICE

Personalized Educational Experience Collaborative Culture and Structures Continuous Relationships Authentic Curriculum Research-Based Instructional Strategies Skilled Teaching Staff (p.25-29) Shared Decision Making

WHAT IS ACCOMPLISHED?

Innovation and Business Plan developed Faculty vote on Innovation Plan submission Partnerships committed Marketing plan established (p.32-35) Shared-decision making Initial development of hiring plan Acquired Closing Achievement Gap Grant

BUDGETTo Be Funded With Grants

Closing the Achievement Gap “Green” Plan Components Performance Pay Plan

Non-Recurring ($165,800)• Mac Lab for Digital & Graphic Arts• Law and Leadership – Mock Court Room• Science Curriculum Refresh

Recurring ($31,500 annually)• Biomedical Science*• Emergency Medical Technician*• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Drafting*• Water Distribution & Collection Systems*• Criminal Justice

*Career & Technology Education Programs (Career Pathways)

BUDGETRequires General Funds

WHAT IS DIFFERENT?

Structure – 3 academies while offering comprehensive curriculum

Careful attention paid to the achievement gap

Staff profile leading to new expectations of employees

Intensified focus on students within boundaries

WHAT IS DIFFERENT?

Improved public image – working toward a new level of distinction

School of Innovation status

Utilization of community partnerships

Go Green emphasis

Student Portfolio

Board Questions

Wasson High School requests to change its name to become the Wasson Colorado School of Innovation

Next year’s 10-12th graders will continue in the present comprehensive high school model

As academies are phased in, existing students will have the opportunity to experience courses from each of the academies

By 2014, all students will participate in the new academic structure – general curriculum or academies

Board Questions

Content facilitators are engaged in creating a more rigorous comprehensive high school program, beginning with math and science

The Law & Leadership program will work closely with ROTC and local restorative justice organizations

New athletic director will commit more time for recruitment at feeder middle schools; middle school students will receive invitations to WHS athletic events

Board Questions

Senior project/portfolio will be a graduation requirement and is included in waiver CSSD11 IKF

Projects will answer the question, “What commitment can I make to the world?” in a format that is engaging and interactive

21st Century Skills addressed include: identification of a real-world problem or opportunity; partnership with sponsoring organizations; sound research; documentation of results; and professional communication and presentation

Arts COMMUNIC

ATION -Audio-

Visual Communication

-Broadcast Journalism

-Communications

-Digital & Interactive

Media -Film -Media

Literacy -Speech -

Composing -

Conducting CULINARY -Cost

Control -Menu

Planning -Purchasing

& Inventory -Safety &

Sanitation -The Art of

Service THEATER -

Playwriting -Projection

Design -Stage

Combat -Theatrical

Production -Audio/

Sound -Carpentry -Costuming Lighting/

Electricity -Set Design

-Stage Management

-Theatrical Production

DANCE -Ballet , Hip

Hop -

Contemporary, Jazz

Science LIFE/

MEDICAL -

Introduction to Medical Sciences

-Human Anatomy and Physiology

-

Community Health and Epidemiology

-Human Anatomy and Physiology

-Transplant Science

-Zoology -Biomedical

Science ENVIRONM

ENT/ ECOLOGY -Ecology

and Diversity

-Human Interaction with the Environment

-

Environmental Science

-Human Population

-Dynamics/Natural Resources

-Environmental Ethics and Policy

-AP Environmental Science

Social Studies

CIVIL/CRIMINAL LAW

-Criminal Investigation

-Criminal Procedure

-Criminal Defense

-Family Law -Juvenile

Law -Trial Law LEADERSHI

P/ CONSTITUT

IONAL

-Civil Rights Legislation

-Community Involvement

-Election Law

-Local Government

-Colorado Close-Up

-Immigration & Citizenship Law

-Colorado Constitutio

nal Law ENVIRONM

ENTAL -Public

Land Law -Energy

Law and Regulation

-International Environmental

-Land Use and Planning

-Mining and Energy and Water Law

Languag

e Arts SCIENCE

and LAW -Technical

Writing I,2 ART -

Broadcast Journalism

Math COMPRE

HENSIVE -

Mathematical Modeling

-

Mathematical Problem Solving

-College Algebra

-Geometry Analysis & Proof

-AP Calculus BC 3 or Calculus II

-Linear Algebra

-

“But what reputation Wasson High School earns in the future can in no way be assured by its name, even if it were the most illustrious name in history. 

The opportunity is yours to create a tradition and make a reputation for your school;

it is yours to write on the blank pages of the future.”

~ Roy J. Wasson