WHAT IS A NEXT GENERATION LEARNING
COMMUNITY?
Goal
A school climate that is: safe, respectful of all,
equitable, and culturally rich in programs and
services that meet the diverse needs and interests of
all students.
Environment
A Small Learning Community is a career-themed environment
for teaching and learning that involves a team of an AP,
guidance counselor, lead teacher, and a team of heterogeneous
students (ideally ranging between 300-400).
Each small learning community will:
Focus on high academic and workforce standards for all
students grades 9-12.
Each high school and SLC will provide an orientation for
its incoming Gr. 9 students.
Provide Gr. 12 students with a senior transition experience
for post secondary options.
Graduate students that are college and career ready.
Develop a 4+2 year success plan that will transition graduates
to post-secondary educational and career training programs
that are aligned to local, regional, and global economic
needs.
Allow students to participate fully in an array of academic,
co-curricula, and enrichment experiences, including athletics,
community-based work opportunities and the arts.
Provide students with the opportunity to earn Bright Futures
and Gold Seal college and university scholarships, dual
enrollment in post secondary programs, Industry Technical
certifications or licensure and participation in community
service and work-based learning experiences.
Involve the teaching team in regular common planning time
focused on rigorous, relevant and engaging instruction
and students’ needs.
Support students and families through an advisory/family
advocacy program.
Key Components
Small, supportive personalized 9-12 environment (300-400
students) with an administrative structure.
Rigorous, relevant and engaging academic and career-technical
curriculum with high levels of accountability for all
students and teachers.
Gr.9 transition activities embedded within each Small
Learning Community and ongoing small group transition
and advocacy program for families and students.
Community advisory to ensure alignment with targeted economic
needs.
Family and Student Advocacy
Students will enter a Small Learning Community through
a strong transition experience that begins during elementary
and middle school that will include:
Working with teachers and guidance counselors to identify
student needs.
A summer transition program that focuses on study skills,
personal and social skill development.
Orientation to high school programs of study in elementary
career awareness, middle school interest and ability inventories
and exploration and high school career and post-secondary
planning.
Connection to a guidance counselor within each learning
community to facilitate and support student’s academic,
emotional, social and career development.
Curriculum
Curriculum based on academic and industry standards relevant
to student interests and the global economy.
Deliver rigorous curriculum, taught by highly qualified
instructors, in a flexible block schedule.
Ensure high expectations and standards for all students
with sequential courses that build upon each other and
reflect increased rigor and skills.
Provide specialized strategies for English Language Learners,
Special Education Students, students performing below
grade level, and students performing below a “C”
in any academic course.
Include accelerated learning opportunities for honors,
Advanced Placement, and/or International Baccalaureate
credit, and dual enrollment in post-secondary institutions.
Promote career experiences including on-the-job training
and internships, work directed studies and global workforce
connections.
Provide enhanced access to technology tools.
Promote positive student/teacher/family relationships
with collective responsibility for student succes.s
Content and career majors sequence required by the state
legislature that:
Provide courses and credits that build a students capacity
to explore an area of study more deeply and gain valuable
transferable skills.
Define a planned and cohesive program of studies that
are valuable assets to a student’s portfolio.
Career majors will enable students to receive the technical
training necessary for industry-recognized certification
and licensure to meet local, regional and global economic
needs.
