CHOICE + VOICE = AGENCY WORKING TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS Rigor, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

CHOICE + VOICE = AGENCY

WORKING TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS

Rigor, Relevance, Relationships, Reflection

College Counseling Beginning in 9th Grade Academically Challenging Seminar & AP Classes Team-Based Collaboration Hands-On, Minds-On, Inquiry-Based Projects Real World Explorations & Applications A Safe Environment Small Class Sizes Before School & After School Learning Lab

An ACPA Education Means…

College Counseling Beginning in 9th Grade Academically Challenging Seminar & AP Classes Team-Based Collaboration Hands-On, Minds-On, Inquiry-Based Projects Real World Explorations & Applications A Safe Environment Small Class Sizes Before School & After School Learning Lab

An ACPA Education Means…

THIS IS ONE OF OUR GOALS!

THIS IS ONE OF THE OTHERS…

PERSONAL ATTENTION AT LEARNING LAB

ACPA’s Course of Study is designed to offer continual challenges to students while maintaining appropriate levels of support. In an ideal world, all students enter high school ready for high school level work. However, as ACPA anticipates a diversity of skill levels among its students, Seminars are designed to offer remediation to those who need it and enrichment and challenge to those who are ready. ACPA offers Seminars at different levels, including Advanced Placement courses in the areas of English, history, math and science.

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER STUDENTS

ACADEMIC AND ART-BASED ELECTIVES

COMMUNITY SERVICE CURRICULUM

REAL WORLD EXPLORATIONS

• ACPA graduates are competitively skilled, self-motivated, civic-minded,

participatory, healthy citizens of the different communities in which they will live.

• They will be active contributors ready to pursue a college education

successfully.

• Our ideal is a rigorous pursuit of knowledge and understanding in an

inquiry-based curriculum weaving interdisciplinary explorations with real- life experiences.

• The learning community of ACPA will construct an environment where

knowledge is acquired and created, where creative and critical thinking, reading and writing are valued which, in combination, enriches each individual learner and, in turn, transforms our multi-faceted society.

ACPA Mission Statement

The Faculty of ACPA is dedicated to cultivating the growth and development of our students: academically, socially and personally.

Our rapidly changing world creates a need for our children to develop skills that make sense in the 21st century. A global economy and constantly changing technology require new types

• f skills and readiness.

ACPA KNOWS THIS!! ACPA graduates flourish in college and their careers because they have learned how to think critically, to read widely and deeply, to adapt, to innovate, to collaborate, to solve complex problems, to draw upon what they know to figure out what they don’t know yet, to communicate through a variety of mediums, to write across the subjects and genres and, most importantly, to inquire and reflect. These skills serve ACPA grads well, wherever they future paths may lead!

An Excelling School – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 An “A” School 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Recognized by A for Arizona – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Principal 2nd Place Escalante-Gradillas Best in Education Prize - 2015 AZ Charter Schools Association School of the Year ~ 2008

MISSION STATEMENT: Arizona College Prep Academy prepares students for college readiness and civic engagement within the context of a rigorous pursuit of knowledge and understanding in an inquiry-based curriculum weaving interdisciplinary explorations with real-life experiences. The Faculty of ACPA is dedicated to cultivating the growth and development of our students: academically, socially and personally by creating a school culture that is diverse, inclusive, equitable and values all members. The Learning Community of ACPA will construct an environment where knowledge is acquired and created, where creative and critical thinking, reading and writing are valued which, in combination, enriches each individual learner and, in turn, transforms our multi- faceted society. ACPA graduates are competitively skilled, self-motivated, civic-minded, healthy, participatory citizens who are ready to pursue a college education successfully and contribute productively to the communities

• f which they will be a part.

TEACHING FACULTY: All Faculty teaching at ACPA:  hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four year university  meet the criteria of Highly Qualified as determined by the State of Arizona and Federal governments  participate in job-embedded, ongoing, research-based professional development STUDENT BODY: The cultural and ethnic diversity of Tucson is reflected in ACPA’s student body. In any given year, approximately 45% of ACPA’s student population is comprised of minority students, including Hispanics, Native Americans, African Americans and Asian Americans. The native languages, other than English spoken by ACPA’s students include Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Filipino and Korean. ACPA is a public charter high school of approximately 130 students. At any given time, approximately 75% of ACPA’s students qualify for free or reduced

• meals. These students come from all over metropolitan Tucson. ACPA is a full-service high school with a college

prep focus. In addition to the academic offerings, fine arts, sports and extra-curricular activities like Student Council, Chess Club, French Club, Mock Trial, Science Bowl, coed soccer, Girl’s Volleyball, Hiking and Camping Club and Yearbook are available to students. COMMUNITY: Tucson is a university town. As such, the opportunities to take advantage of speakers, the arts and programs available through the University of Arizona are extensive. ACPA has enjoyed a supportive relationship with Pima Community College utilizing a dual enrollment program, the University of Arizona and a number of its’ professors, Raytheon Systems and other community organizations. The faculty of ACPA is very active in bringing these resources in for our students, but also, taking our students out into the community. Additionally, ACPA is committed to contributing to the Tucson community. In addition to allocating two days to schoolwide community service at the local Food Bank, Diaper Bank, Community Gardens, Pre-Schools and other local non-profits, ACPA has enjoyed a service learning partnership with Saguaro National Park for the past seven years. This partnership has entailed conducting science projects in the Park using wildlife cameras, developing tools for conducting saguaro censuses, pulling our local invasive species, buffle grass and creating videos and other PSA for use by Saguaro and other National Parks around the country. As in any partnership, the park rangers also come to ACPA to serve on committees, mentor independent science research projects and support the curriculum at ACPA. SELECTION PROCESS: Students are eligible to attend ACPA through a transparent open enrollment, first-come, first-served basis. Prospective students are asked to participate in a tour and Family Day meeting. Then, families must complete a standard enrollment form.

CURRICULUM: ACPA offers a college preparatory four-year curriculum with a seminar focus on the core areas of English, mathematics, science and social studies. ACPA utilizes a Seminar approach and an Inquiry-Driven

• curriculum. All students participate in collaborative projects, problem-based learning and give presentations

individually and in groups to their peers and out in the community. ACPA has a focus on integrated, interdisciplinary learning. At the 9th and 10th grade level, ACPA’s curriculum creates opportunities for students to gain foundation skills in critical thinking, reading and writing. Students read a variety of texts written in a variety

• f genres and express their understandings in diverse ways. At the 11th and 12th grade levels, students continue to

build skills and competence while applying those by crafting an Independent Science Research Project and a Humanities Multi-Genre Inquiry Project. These two projects are considered Capstone Projects and help make sure ACPA graduates are ready to thrive in a college environment after graduation. In addition, fine arts classes, performing arts classes, robotics, engineering, speech, debate and other humanities-based electives, research, internships and dual enrollment with local community colleges and universities are offered. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: English – Four credits Social Studies – Four credits Science – Four credits Mathematics – Four credits Modern Languages – Two Credits - Dual-enrollment at Pima Community College recommended Fine Arts/Vocational Arts – One credit A total of 23 credits are required for graduation. To earn a Diploma with Distinction, students must earn 24 credits, with a 3.85 or better cumulative GPA, at least two Advanced Placement exam with a score of 4 or 5. A Diploma with Honors is available to students who have earned 24 credits and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above in all core areas. ADVANCED PLACEMENT: ACPA participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. AP

• fferings include AP United States History, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus, AP

European History, AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition, AP World History and AP Economics. AP classes are offered on a rotating basis with three – four courses offered per year. CLASS RANK/GRADE POINT AVERAGE: Students are not ranked at APCA due to the small population overall, most graduating classes consist of between 20 and 35 students. Grades are not weighted for any class and are based on the following scale: A=4.00 B=3.00 C=2.00 D=1.00 F=0.00 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION: Students at ACPA have been named National Merit Scholars, National Hispanic Scholars, Baird Fellows, Presidential Scholars, Blue and Gold Scholars and Dean’s Scholars. Additionally, a number

• f graduates have been named AP Scholars and AP Scholars with Distinction. Students are encouraged and

assisted in applying for other merit-based scholarship programs beginning in 9th grade. COLLEGE: 95% of the graduating class has gone on to experience post-secondary education. Approximately 80% go on to a four year college or university. Another 15% go on to a community college or professional certification

• program. The remaining 5% have enlisted in the military or gone directly into the work force. Graduates from

ACPA are attending colleges and universities around the country including: University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Georgetown University, Duke University, Stanford University, Drake University, Arizona State University, Cornell College, Marymount College, University of San Diego, Pomona College, Smith College, Mills College, New College, Occidental College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Washington State University, Oregon State University, Kalamazoo College, Knox College and others.

Arizona College Prep Academy

What Makes ACPA Different?

• An academically rigorous & project-based curriculum
• Family involvement beginning with registration
• College & Financial Counseling starting in 9th grade
• A small, safe environment with small class sizes
• Service Learning & Community Explorations
• Advanced Placement & Seminar Classes

3434 E. Broadway Blvd. 520-722-1200 www.arizonacollegeprep.com or find us on facebook

Opportunity Achievement Empowerment