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Wouldn’t it be nice if high school students could learn about their strengths and interests and take courses that started them on the road toward a successful career they would enjoy? And wouldn’t it be great if they could sample workplace experiences from the real world to see if they were a good fit? Basic High School’s Smaller Learning Communities, SLC’s, are designed to help the student do just that. Each SLC is a tight network of teachers, courses, and industry and business experts designed to give the student the information and experience they need to guide themselves into the career pathway they want, either through additional education at a two- or four-year institution, or directly into the workplace. Freshman and sophomore years will emphasize self-discovery to find each student’s strengths and areas of interest. Junior year will provide job -shadowing at a business of their choice and senior year will include an internship in an occupational area related to the student’s studies. Here is a brief description of the five Smaller Learning Communities at Basic High School:
• The Freshman Academy. This is where it all begins. In the Freshman Academy, all freshmen are required to take career exploration and self-discovery studies designed to help them match their interests, and personal strengths with a career pathway in one of the other four SLC’s. Students in the Freshmen Academy are scheduled with the same core teachers throughout the school day. Teaming students and teachers together helps foster a greater sense of belonging and a strengthening of interpersonal relationships in addition to providing greater academic support.
• The Institute of Business, Technology, and Mass Communication teaches skills needed in business, marketing, architecture, automotive technology and communication-related occupations. Coursework includes various business and computer courses ranging from Accounting and Marketing to Computer and Website Science. This is also where Foreign Language, English, including Journalism, Publications, and Broadcast Journalism, and Industrial Arts are found. Industrial Arts encompasses Drafting and Auto Tech studies. View/Download (PDF) more information on The Institute of Business, Technology, and Mass Communication.
• The Institute of Health, Wellness, and Medical Technologies offers studies in Life and Physical Sciences as well as Physical and Health Education. In this institute, students will enhance their opportunities for continuing education or placement in occupations related to Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy, and jobs such as Paramedic, EMT, Firefighter or Athletic Trainer. View/Download (PDF) more information on The Institute of Health, Wellness, and Medical Technologies.
• The Institute of Law, Justice, and Public Service. This Institute teaches skills needed in law, public administration, social services and occupations related to criminal justice. It includes courses in Business Law, Forensic Science, Civil Liberties and Street Law, and Government and its Agencies. Studies in this Institute will effectively lead into careers in such occupations as Attorney, Criminologist, Social Worker, Police Officer or Public Administrator. View/Download (PDF) more information on The Institute of Law, Justice, and Public Service.
• The Institute of Creative and Technical Arts offers studies in Theatre, Graphic Arts, Music, Foods and Fashion Design, Creative Writing and Visual Arts, and it pays particular attention to how these relate to real-world occupations. Many jobs in high local demand include Acting and Directing, Advertising, Graphic Design or Illustrator, Fine Artist, Stage Managing and Set Design, Musician, Vocalist, Composer and Choreographer, and finally, Teaching any of the above. View/Download (PDF) more information on The Institute of Creative and Technical Arts.
So, what does all this mean for your student? More options, more interest, more meaning in their education, and more satisfaction with the areas of study they choose while at Basic High School. Smaller Learning Communities are a great move in the right direction toward meeting the needs of our students and the needs of the workplace.
