The following was submitted by
each SLC to describe their program:
At the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year, BHS
established a Ninth Grade House. The Ninth Grade House serves approximately
1800 students with dedicated teachers, counselors, and coordinators. The priority in the Ninth Grade House
is the academic success of all 9th graders. For 9th graders students whose excessively absences or
tardies place them at risk of failing, a special ÒTwilight SchoolÓ was
established, making use of a later schedule.
The primary purpose of the Ninth Grade House is to provide
a sheltering and personalized environment that promotes academic success for
all matriculating 9th graders.
Ninth Grade House teachers use a coordinated, team-based approach that
presents the 9th grade curriculum, which also features a strong
focus on study skill. Each 9th grader
is also presented during the year with a number of activities designed to
relate school experience with postsecondary educational opportunities and
career options. Field trips, guest
speakers, and presentations by BHS career path academy students help 9th grade
students make the connection between school and the future.
It is an education based on rigorous standards within liberal arts
It is a strong dedication to social justice, community and social responsibility
It is a collaborative team of teachers and students
It is a culture of respect and consideration
To prepare you for graduation and the existence of college careers
Potential Careers
~Writer ~ Social Worker ~ Lawyer ~ Performer ~ Teacher ~ Psychologist ~ Conservationist ~ News Reporter ~ Fund Raiser ~ Environmental Scientist ~ Museum Conservationist~
Which are the instructional
components and the study plan for Humanitas?
The interdisciplinary units for Humanitas are based on the standards, they are centered on a topic through several classes, and they are designed with the purpose for each student can have access to the study plan and find their purpose. Teachers will incorporate a wide variety of pedagogical methods to support students and their needs. The Humanitas study plan also includes the community and to assist students define their role in our society.
How is the personalization
aspect is administered within Humanitas?
The Humanitas Academy provides each student with a path and a personalized education through the Humanitas homerooms, guessed personalities, team of students, and friendly relationships. Teams based on the educational level, counselor, and the homeroom teacher/counselor work together for the students. The program Òolder classmateÓ provides students in the 10th grade with a 12th grade student that can help on the transition to the Humanitas Academy.
How is access and equality
provided in Humanitas?
All the Humanitas students have access to the Humanitas Academy through a petition and these are provided through a presentation that each Small Learning Communities to all the 9th Grade House students at Bell High School. All the students are provided with A-G requirements (required by the University of California system), intervention programs, and different educational strategies to reassure their success.
How is the collaboration has been established among the parents and the community with Humanitas?
All parents will be invited and it is expected that they take part with the Humanitas Academy through conferences, with a reunion with a Humanitas Open House, Portfolio Night, and several other Humanitas activities. The use of a Humanitas Newsletter and a web site would help the communication among parents, the community and the academy. The Urban Education Partnership, a nonprofit organization, supports the Humanitas Academy. The community offers possibilities for collaboration through a services project, public speakers, and with other organizations such as You Think and Constitutional Rights Foundation.
How is professional
development offered through Humanitas?
Professional development is offered through the school year by going to community and cultural outings, several conferences, and paid time during their vacations to improve the academy in several aspects. In addition, Teachers Centers and Institutes offered by Urban Education Partnership to enrich the knowledge within several subjects that can improve the design of the study plan.
What is the responsibility and
direction within Humanitas structured?
The voices within the staff, students and parents are an integral part of the decision making process. The director of Humanitas and the teacher/counselor base their decisions on the opinions and discussions within all the staff as well as the representatives from parents and students.
MTCA
The Multilingual Teacher Career Academy (MTCA) of Bell High School has been a functioning academy for the past eight years at Bell High School. The MTCA will continue to thrive as an academy while adjusting to new, required guidelines. MTCA will now be a three-year, career path academy with the possibility of returning to a four-year academy in the future. At present, approximately 250 high school students are designated as MTCA members. The academy teaches students about pedagogy: instructional strategies, classroom management, organizational techniques and accommodating special needs students, other differentiated learners as well as college and university preparedness. The program was created and designed for the purpose of recruiting minorities, especially bilingual students, into careers related to education. The goal of the academy is to guide motivated young people into the teaching profession. At the end of three or four years, eligible students will be given the opportunity to earn scholarships to local colleges, which will lead to jobs within the Los Angeles Unified School District. The MTCA exceeds the conventions of a vocational program because of the contributions members make to the education of Bell community elementary students. On a daily basis, the 250 MTCA members, grades 10-12, tutor nearly 2,000 Corona Elementary, Corona Avenue Primary Center, and Nueva Vista Elementary School students, grades Pre-Kindergarten - 5.
SCITEC
Science and Technology is a learn to work and a work to learn academy which will articulate with business and academic institutions to establish internships for students to gain experience in chosen fields that develops work experience in oneÕs pathway to the future. The SCITEC plan is to network with administration, teachers, Bell alumni, universities, business and concerned community members to provide information regarding the options in Science and Technology. The SCITEC Academy will utilize standards based curricula to provide individual career pathways for students. These standards will be aligned with the California Department of Education: Biological, Physical Science, and the Career Technical Education subject areas. Each pathway will prepare the student to enter college, university, trade school, apprenticeship program, or other career opportunities depending upon the studentÕs interests The SCITEC curriculum will ensure optimal benefits for all students, including those with special needs (i.e., English learners, students with disabilities and reading difficulties, and advance learners