Small Learning Communities at

What is a Small Learning Community?

• The breakdown of a large school into smaller schools within a school

• An environment that promotes Collaborative Learning among students and teachers

• Teachers sharing practices that encourage sustained instructional improvement which gets to the bottom line - …

Enhanced student learning

WHY ACADEMIES at ?Encourages positive relationships by creating a

school within a schoolAligns current instructional practices to increase

relevance in classesFosters student connections at schoolGives students an identityIncreases opportunities to meet individual

student needsCreates a more rigorous educational experience

What the grant has done

• Personnel to guide the formation of the academies

• Opportunities in Professional Development for every teacher

• The implementation of collaborative planning• Allowed us to begin work with the

International Center for Leadership in Education

The grant continued

• Introduction to college, college planning and college visit opportunities for all students

• Career exploration for all students– Jeff Zirenberg – Wacker on the interview process– Dr. Ryan Otter/MTSU on Career Choices– Dr. Phil Cook/Lee Univ. College and Careers

• Student/Teacher Advisory program – MAP Time

The Biggest Contribution

• Summer Bridge Program– Those students who need extra help in achieving proficiency

at school– Those students who need support in transitioning into high

school– Those students who need social growth– Those students who need a positive adult influence – Those students who need an advantage before the start of

school– Those students who need the opportunity to develop

leadership skills

THE ACADEMIESAT

WALKER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

FRESHMANACADEMY

HUMANITIESACADEMY

SOPHOMORES

BUSINESSACADEMY

STEMACADEMY

SOPHOMORES SOPHOMORES

WALKER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLSMALLER LEARNING COMMUNITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Tennessee Graduation Requirements for Students Beginning High School in Fall 2009

(22 total credits)

• 4 Math• 4 English• 3 Science• 3 History• 1 Fine Art

• 1.5 Wellness/P.E.

• .5 Personal Finance• 2 Foreign Language• 3 Elective Focus

Source: Tennessee Department of Education, www.tn.gov/education/gradreq.shtml

*Bradley County Schools requires 28 to receive a diploma.

ELECTIVE FOCUS The elective focus must be three credits above

the requirements to graduate.

MATH and

SCIENCE

HUMANITIES

CAREER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

FINE ARTS ADVANCED

PLACEMENT

INTERNATIONAL

BACCALAUREATE

BUSINESS ACADEMYPrograms of Study

• Web Multimedia Management• Business Financial Management & Accou

nting• Interactive Multimedia Presentation• Recreation, Attractions, Sports, & Enterta

inment

HUMANITIES ACADEMYPrograms of Study

• World Languages• Literature• Visual Arts• Choral Music• Instrumental Music• Journalism and Broadcasting• Family And Consumer Services• Law Enforcement, Corrections, and National S

ecurity

STEM ACADEMYPrograms of Study

• Therapeutic Services• Therapeutic Services EMS• Animal System• Plant System• Power Structure & Technical Systems• Design Preconstruction & Production Design (CAD)• Technology Engineering Education (CAM)• Networking Systems Protective Services• Programming and Gaming• Math• Science

Mustang Advisory Program(MAP)

Mustang Advisory Program is Walker Valley High School’s Academic Advisory /Advisee program.

In MAP meetings an advisor will help students map out their high school experience as well as help them plan future goals.

MAP is important because students will have input and guidance as they start to make important life decisions.

MAP is about relationships. It is designed to be a place where students feel safe, can ask questions, share answers, and support each other.

Web Multimedia DesignCourse Offerings

• Computer Applications• Interactive Multimedia Presentations• Web Essentials I• Web Applications II

Business Academy page

Business Financial Management & Accounting

Course Offerings

• Computer Applications• Accounting I• Accounting II• Business Management

Business Academy page

Interactive Multimedia Presentations Course Offerings

• Computer Applications I• Interactive Multimedia Presentations• Computer Applications II• Business Management

Business Academy page

• Exploration of Organizational Leadership & Marketing (9th grade only)

• Marketing I• Marketing II• Sports & Entertainment Marketing

Recreation, Attractions, Sports, & EntertainmentCourse Offerings

Business Academy page

World LanguagesCourse Offerings

• Spanish I, II, III, and IV• French I, II, and III• German I, II, and III

**In order for a student to choose World Languages as an elective focus, he/she would have to take 3 courses in a language other than the one he/she takes to fulfill the graduation requirement of 2 credits.

Humanities Academy page

LiteratureCourse offerings

• Mythology I • Mythology II• Creative Writing• Etymology (1/2)• Science Fiction (1/2)

Humanities Academy page

Visual ArtsCourse offerings

• Art I• Art II-Drawing and Painting• Art II-Photography/Print Making• Art II-Sculpture• Art III• Art IV

Humanities Academy page

Choral MusicCourse Offerings

• 9th grade Concert Choir• Concert Choir• Chamber Choir (2 credits)• Music Theory I• Music Theory II

Humanities Academy page

Instrumental MusicCourse Offerings

• Band• Music Theory I• Music Theory II• Percussion Class• Mustang Jazz• Introduction to Guitar• Chamber Music Class

Humanities Academy page

Journalism & BroadcastingCourse Offerings

• Broadcasting I• Broadcasting II• Broadcasting III (The Spill)- 2 credits

Humanities Academy page

Family And Consumer ServicesCourse Offerings

• FACS• Child and Lifespan Development• Nutrition and Foods• Life Connections

Humanities Academy page

Law Enforcement, Corrections, and National Security

Course Offerings

• Criminal Justice I

• Criminal Justice II

• Criminal Justice III-Forensic Science

Humanities Academy page

Therapeutic ServicesCourse Offerings

• Health Science Education• Sports Therapy• Anatomy and Physiology• Medical Therapeutics/Nursing Education• Clinical Internship

STEM Academy page

Therapeutic Services EMSCourse Offerings

• Health Science Education• Sports Therapy• Medical Therapeutics• Anatomy and Physiology• EMS

STEM Academy page

Animal SystemsCourse Offerings

• AgriScience• Small Animal Care• Horse Science• Veterinary Science

STEM Academy page

Plant SystemsCourse Offerings

• AgriScience• Landscaping and Turf Management• Greenhouse Management I• Greenhouse Management II

STEM Academy page

Power Structure & Technical SystemsCourse Offerings

• AgriScience• AgMechanics I• AgMechanics II• AgMechanics III

STEM Academy page

Design Preconstruction & Construction Design (CAD)

Course Offerings

• CAD I - Computer Aid Drafting• CAD II – Principles of Engineering• Advance Computer Aid Design/CAD III• Work-based Learning

STEM Academy page

Technology Engineering Education(CAM)

Course Offerings

• Foundations of Technology• CAM I Technological Issues• CAM II Advanced Technological Applications• CAM III Problems and Solutions

STEM Academy page

Networking Systems Protective ServicesCourse Offerings

• Information Technologies Foundations• Computer Operating Systems or Networking• Networking and Cabling Technology (2 credits)

STEM Academy page

Programming/GamingCourse Offerings

• Information Technologies Foundations• Game Design Programming I• Game Design Programming II

STEM Academy page

Advanced MathCourse Offerings

• Trigonometry• Calculus• Calculus AP• Statistics

STEM Academy page

Advanced ScienceCourse Offerings

• Genetics• Aquatic Biology• Physics• Chemistry II• Oceanography

STEM Academy page