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<DIV><B>CHOICES AT BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR<BR><BR></B>This month (March
2005), students begin registering for the classes they want to take next year at
Berkeley High School. Those entering 9th and 10th grade can choose from
among six different options: four small schools (Arts & Humanities Academy,
Communication Arts and Sciences, Community Partnerships Academy, and School for
Social Justice and Ecology), the Academic Choice program within the large
school, and the large school (no program). Students indicate their choices in
order of preference. Berkeley High will enroll students based on the
stated preferences and on diversity requirements (which are based on the
student's residence). For more information, contact Berkeley High School
at 510-644-6140, or visit <A href="http://www.bhs.berkeley.k12.ca.us/"
eudora="autourl">www.bhs.berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>.<BR><BR>The six choices are
described below:<BR><BR><B>1. Arts & Humanities Academy (AHA!) -- a
small school<BR><BR></B>The Arts and Humanities Academy (AHA!) provides an
innovative, rigorous academic curriculum. Yet, students use the lens of
the arts to seek creative solutions to both academic and artistic
challenges. The curriculum is designed to inspire greater levels of
achievement by linking student interest and talent in the arts to all aspects of
their educational experience. <BR> <BR>At the foundation of AHAs
culture is the pursuit of personal growth, development and excellence as
student, as an artist, as an individual, and as a member of a community.
We approach learning and growing as a collective within an environment where the
arts are the vehicle for creative and analytical thinking. <BR> <BR>In the
first two years, students enroll in the AHA Arts Wheel -- wide variety of visual
and performing arts classes. Included in the Arts Wheel is a selection of
: painting & drawing, ceramics, photography, sculpture, vocal music and
percussion, Afro-Haitian and Modern dance, and theater. Freshmen and
sophomores take all AHA! classes together, including English, Social Studies,
Advanced Biology, and Visual & Performing Arts; each class is half freshmen
and half sophomores.<BR> <BR>As juniors and seniors, students pursue an
artistic specialization and an internship in the community related to their
interests. Throughout the four years of study, History, English and Arts
classes are taught in interdisciplinary project based units of study.
Students choose from the wide variety of Language, Math and Science courses
available in the large school to meet college preparatory graduation
requirements and the challenges for future life success.<B>
<BR></B> <BR>For more information, you can contact the AHA! lead teachers:
Linda Carr, <A href="mailto:lcarr@berkeley.k12.ca.us"
eudora="autourl">mailto:lcarr@berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>, 644-6052 (phone); and
Miriam Stahl, <A href="mailto:mstahl@berkeley.k12.ca.us"
eudora="autourl">mailto:mstahl@berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>, 644-8003 (phone).
<BR><BR><B>2. Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) -- a small
school<BR><BR></B>CAS is the first of the small schools at Berkeley High. We
work to bring to students academic success, a social consciousness, and
confidence in their own personal capacities. CAS emphasizes media literacy and
communication skills in a context of social justice. This innovative
program helps students to:<BR>- Incorporate real-world experiences into their
education<BR>- Plan for both college and life<BR>- Make Berkeley High smaller,
more personal<BR>- Create community among classmates and with teachers<BR>-
Explore issues of social justice, social change, and social
responsibility.<BR> <BR>Students in CAS have the opportunity to: develop
strong academic skills; go to museums; see plays; produce videos; design
magazines; write journals; work in TV and radio stations; participate in
debates; go on overnight retreats; get support from after school learning
center; participate in international exchange; think critically; have their
opinions heard; know their diverse classmates; participate in video festivals;
curate film shows; and learn to DJ.<BR><B> <BR></B>CAS is forging the way
to make the high school more interesting, engaging, and successful for all
students. We are excited to be part of this
process.<BR><B> <BR></B>What makes CAS unique:<BR>- CAS prepares all its
students for college.<BR>- The group stays together.<BR>- Teachers team
teach.<BR>- Science and math are experiential.<BR>- Each year offers a CAS media
class.<BR>- The senior year includes an internship. <BR> <BR>Students take
most of their classes within the CAS (this allows collaboration of teachers,
integrated curriculum, student support, and field trips). Some passports
can be worked out for particular needs. Freshman and sophomores are mostly
in CAS. For seniors, three or four of the six classes are within
CAS.<BR> <BR>For more information about CAS, visit <A
href="http://cas.bhs.berkeleypta.org/"
eudora="autourl">http://cas.bhs.berkeleypta.org</A>. You can also contact CAS
counselor Stephen Chang, <A href="mailto:schang@berkeley.k12.ca.us"
eudora="autourl">mailto:schang@berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>, 644-4578 (phone); and CAS
teacher director Rick Ayers, <A href="mailto:rayers@berkeley.k12.ca.us"
eudora="autourl">mailto:rayers@berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>, 644-4586
(phone).<BR><BR><B>3. Community Partnerships Academy (CP Academy) -- a
small school<BR><BR></B>Community Partnerships Academy (CP Academy) is a small,
personalized school within Berkeley High focused on building, learning from and
serving community. Through rigorous content and skill development,
students are encouraged to develop their strengths, discover their hidden
talents and explore their career goals.<BR><BR>All core academic requirements
for college can be met through the CP Academy four-year curriculum. In
addition, electives are available in the large school and college courses are
available for transfer to the UC/CSU system.<BR><BR>Information technology
skills are integrated into all four years and the Academy's many community
partners open opportunities for students in the areas of law, government,
health, and education. Service learning and internship experiences allow
students to explore, gain skills, and set career goals. Through promoting
a sense of empowerment and future vision in our students, they are able to take
leadership roles and become agents of change in the
community.<BR><BR>Parents/guardians are an integral part of CP Academy including
in the decision-making structure. As members of our community we ask that
you participate fully to create a learning environment that supports success for
all students. <BR><BR>CP Academy is committed to creating a school community in
which all students are welcome, every student counts and every student
achieves. We invite you to make CP Academy your high school choice at
Berkeley High.<BR><BR>For more information about Community Partnerships Academy,
you can contact teacher leaders: Annie Johnston, <A href="mailto:anniej@igc.org"
eudora="autourl">mailto:anniej@igc.org</A> , 612-0404 (phone); and Flora Russ,
<A href="mailto:fruss@telis.org" eudora="autourl">mailto:fruss@telis.org</A>,
849-2176 (phone).<BR><BR><B>4. School for Social Justice and Ecology
(SSJE) -- a small school<BR><BR></B>SSJE seeks to help students grapple with the
challenging social and ecological problems facing the world today. As
humans living on the planet, we each have the responsibility to support the
creation of healthy societies and ecosystems. This endeavor provides
countless opportunities for deep, engaging and meaningful educational
experiences via:<BR>- Interdisciplinary, project-based, hands-on learning<BR>-
Coursework connected to current issues of social justice & ecology <BR>-
Equity awareness & action, in our school community, and in the
world<BR> <BR>SSJE will:<BR>- Prepare all students for college via 4 years
of science, math, English & social studies.<BR>- Take students outside the
classroom into the world for applied, experiential learning.<BR>- Offer
comprehensive student support via: personalized learning plans, staying with the
same teacher-advisor for all 4 years, learning for mastery instead of failure
(opportunities to revise work until it meets standards), focus on critical
thinking, tutoring by peers and others, and support for all students toward high
achievement.<BR>- Involve the whole family via: regular communications, family
involvement in every aspect of school, regular open meetings.<BR> <BR>SSJE
builds supportive relationships among students, teachers, and family members
through integrated core curriculum, blocked scheduling, and consistent student
advisories. Experiential learning opportunities within the school and
internships in the community abound. <BR> <BR>SSJE students will graduate:
prepared for college (UC requirements, exit exam, SATs, planning); with a strong
foundation in math, science and humanities; as capable and critical thinkers; as
people who love learning; with a mastery of essential literacy skills; with
technological literacy; and with higher order thinking and analysis skills from
a math curriculum designed to address the achievement gap.<BR> <BR>For more
information, call SSJE at 644-6325, ext. 25. You can also contact the SSJE
lead teachers: Joel Hildebrandt, <A href="mailto:senorjoel@comcast.net"
eudora="autourl">mailto:senorjoel@comcast.net</A>; and Deborah Godner, <A
href="mailto:kungfumama93@yahoo.com"
eudora="autourl">mailto:kungfumama93@yahoo.com</A>.<BR><BR><B>5. Academic
Choice (AC) -- a program within the large school<BR><BR></B>Academic Choice is a
program within the large school at Berkeley High, dedicated to serving students
who want to challenge themselves academically. It offers both a rigorous
college preparatory curriculum and a community of academically motivated
students working with teachers, parents, and peers to realize their full
intellectual and creative potential.<BR><BR>Academic Choice (AC) students take
their English and History classes with other AC students. All other
classes -- math, science, foreign language, and arts electives -- are selected
from the full range of courses offered in the large school. AC students
start taking science in 9th grade. They are encouraged but not required to
take Advanced Placement (college level) courses in 11th and 12th grades.
Academic Choice credit is given for AP English and History classes and classes
taken within the African American Studies department. Students who
graduate from the program after completing all subject requirements for
admission to the University of California and submitting their senior seminar
research project will be recognized by Berkeley High with the Academic Choice
Certificate of Completion.<BR><BR>There are no prerequisites for enrolling in
Academic Choice. Because the curriculum is rigorous, it is expected that
many AC students will need extra help at times. The program is committed
to ensuring that all students receive the support they need. Students have
access to the Academic Pathways Project (AP Project), a program that offers
support and tutoring to Berkeley High students. The AP Project's main goal
is to help low-income and underrepresented students be academically successful
at Berkeley High and be prepared to succeed in college.<BR><BR>For more
information about Academic Choice, visit <A
href="http://www.bhsacademicchoice.com/"
eudora="autourl">www.bhsacademicchoice.com</A>. You can also contact: AC lead
teacher Matt Carton, <A href="mailto:mcarton@berkeley.k12.ca.us"
eudora="autourl">mailto:mcarton@berkeley.k12.ca.us</A>, 644-6899
(phone).<BR><BR><B>6. Berkeley High Comprehensive -- the large school, not
within a program or small school<BR><BR></B>The large school at Berkeley High
offers a wide range of introductory, regular, honors, Advanced Placement
(college level), and specialized and elective courses. Students in the
large school, not enrolled in Academic Choice or in one of the small schools,
have maximum choice and flexibility in planning their course of study and taking
classes with many different students in the school. They also have access
to the full range of support programs at the school, such as the Academic
Pathways Project (described above). <SPAN class=174424323-16032005><FONT
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<DIV><SPAN class=174424323-16032005>
<P><FONT size=2>______________________________<BR>Janet Huseby and Kathryn Capps
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