High School Renewal - Challenge Schools

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High School Renewal
Challenge Schools

Challenge High Schools focus on enhancing the achievement of each individual student, and are intent on closing the achievement gap between groups of students. Many of these schools met their Academic Performance Index (API) school-wide targets, but did not meet the API targets for subgroups of students.

Challenge High Schools include:


•	Patrick Henry High School
•	Mira Mesa High School
•	Point Loma High School
•	San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA)
•	Scripps Ranch High School
•	Serra High School
•	University City High School

These schools share the belief that each and every student can achieve at high levels in a challenging academic environment. Each school's High School Renewal design team is developing long-range plans that:


•	Increase the academic 'rigor' of the instructional program
•	Create a more personalized learning environment for students
•	Improve school leadership
•	Increase community involvement

As part of this plan, the district will collaborate with New American Schools (NAS), a national organization that helps departments of education and school districts in the areas of accountability, leadership development and in the creation of new schools

To help ensure the implementation of research-based programs, actions and activities, the schools will partner with the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence (CREATE). CREATE is a local educational research organization that collaborates with school districts to improve students' learning, teachers' professional competence, and to reach out to parents and communities to better support schools.

Expected outcomes include:


1.	Improved student performance Student academic performance outcomes will be measured by credits earned, grade point averages, results from the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) and the California Standards Tests, the ninth and tenth grade dropout rates, and the ability of each student to meet "a-g" requirements for both the University of California and California State University systems.
2.	Systemic changes to instructional system Systemic change is change that occurs in all aspects and levels of the education process and that affects all of the people included in this process--students, school staff, parents and community members. It is a dynamic process that requires regular, ongoing communication and evaluation and has implications for curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development. It is with this outcome that the collaboration with NAS and CREATE will be most valuable, as they will serve as "critical friends" on the more systemic measures.
3.	Expanded outreach to staff, students, families and community Outreach efforts will be measured by input received from student site councils and community forums.

Each school focuses on raising student achievement and preparing students for college and a career, and each will be an independent, autonomous entity with its own school-specific rankings in the state's Academic Performance Index (API).

Financial support for the Challenge Schools' transition has been partially provided by Carnegie Corporation, which is including San Diego City Schools in its five-year Schools for a New Society Initiative.

For more information, contact:

Office of Instructional Support
Keith Nuthall (knuthall@sandi.net)
Program Manager, High School Renewal
4100 Normal St., Room 2038
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 725-7215

High School Renewal >>