What is a Small Learning Community?

• Small body of students who are taught by the same group of teachers
• Have an occupational instructional theme
• Students participate in work-based learning/internship related to their career interest
• Senior project related to career interest
• High school reform based on a university approach or concept

Thus, the academy consists of a group of students who stay with the same teachers for two to three years.

Components of a successful Small Learning Community

• Rigorous curriculum for all students – able to transition to postsecondary education or workforce
• Business advisory board
• Team planning
• core academic courses with application of the skills related to their career field
• Mentor works with students in his/her academy
• Share a designated space

Conner High School has already begun plans to place every student in a small learning community. Administrators, counselors, and teachers have been studying the impact of small learning communities across the country. Faculty teams have visited other schools and have attended state and national conferences to learn more abut small learning communities.

Academies are sub-groups within schools, organized around particular themes. For example, career academies combine key principles of the school-to-career movement – integrating academic and vocational instruction, providing work-based learning opportunities for students, and preparing students for post-secondary education and employment – with the personalized learning environment of a small, focused learning community. Teachers and students integrate academic and occupation-related classes as a way to enhance real-world relevance and maintain high academic standards. Local employer partnerships provide program planning guidance, mentors, and work internships. Career academies share with other restructuring initiatives an emphasis on building relationships between students and adults (teachers as well as work-site supervisors and other employer representatives).

Small Learning Communities

Conner High School implemented its first Small Learning Community (SLC) in 2005 with the beginning of the Freshman Academy. Four more SLC’s will be implemented for the 2006-2007 school year. SLC’s are an innovative way to boost achievement by providing high school students with a more intimate learning environment that is centered around particular interest areas such as the arts, technology, liberal arts, business, automotives, language, engineering, and much more.

We have looked at what is working in high schools here and elsewhere and have identified the key elements of successful SLC’s. Families who enroll a child at Conner High School canlook for these characteristics:

• Personalized education
• Courses that relate school learning to real-world experiences
• Team planning
• Greater connections between students and teachers
• Developing a post-secondary plan for every student.
• Programs that involve students and teachers in leadership positions