Career/Thematic Academies Coming This Fall!

In the fall of 2008, MNPS will take the next big step in the district wide high school redesign initiative based on the Small Learning Communities' (SLC) model. 

All MNPS zoned high schools will be restructured into smaller, more personalized learning environments, Career and Thematic Centers (which will mature over the next few years into Career/Thematic Academies). Students and teaching staff will be grouped by area of interest, offering students: 

• 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking, ICT (information, communication, and technology) literacy, life skills and 21st Century content;
• relevant and rigorous curriculum;
• the opportunity to form closer relationships with teachers and advisors;
• practical work experience through job shadowing and internships;
• the possibility for industry certifications;
• the opportunity to learn in the context of a particular industry or subject theme (such as Arts or Communications);
• more engaging curriculum and instruction;
• and, preparation for College AND Career.

The primary focus of the redesign is the student. In traditional high schools, students can choose either an academic path or a technical path toward graduation. The redesign combines the two avenues providing more opportunity than ever for students. Career and Thematic Centers will maintain the core academic curriculum required by the state and federal government, while providing students an opportunity to learn in a more relevant manner. In other words, by studying in Career/Thematic Centers, students will begin to understand why subjects are important and how the subjects will apply in the real work force. Students will also have the opportunity to learn specific workplace skills and gain practical experience through internships, mentoring programs and job shadowing with local businesses.

Small Learning Communities are designed to prepare students for whatever life may bring them after high school, either college, career or both. Students will have a strong academic background, career skills and practical work experience. Career/Thematic Centers will equip students with an arsenal of tools to ensure their success in the global community. 

    What will be different? The changes can be summed up as 3 R’s:

                                Relationship of an Elementary School
                                    Structure of a Middle School
                                         Rigor of a High School

• Rigor –  Students will study rigorous and academically challenging curriculum.
• Relevance  –  Students will learn in the context of a particular career or subject theme, such as Business, Hospitality or The Arts. Therefore, they learn how subjects and lessons will apply in the business world; they learn the "how" and "why."
• Relationships  –  Smaller learning communities allow for more nurturing student-teacher relationships. 


                                The 3-Year Phase In Process

2008-2009:

• Schools will maintain Freshman Academies and Advisories (small groups of students assigned to a teacher advisor), while implementing Thematic and Career Prep Centers.
• Students will begin taking introductory, elective courses relative to their particular Career/Thematic Prep Center.
• Class scheduling will be built around Career/Thematic structure, allowing students and teachers to remain in a smaller, more personalized learning environment for a large portion of the school day.

2009-2010:

• Career Thematic Centers will mature into Career Thematic Academies, offering students more courses in their particular area of interest;
• Job Shadowing with local businesses begins;
• Advisories continue.

2010-2011:

• Career Thematic Academies continue to mature, adding internships and real work-based experience to prepare students for college and career;
• Advisories continue, also focusing on helping seniors make final preparations for college and career.

The high school redesign is underway with funding by a groundbreaking $6.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The effort is one of our many initiatives to boost our graduation rate and enable each of our students to pursue a satisfying and productive life after high school.