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Junipero
Serra High School
Smaller Learning Communities
The
attributes of High School Reform/Small Learning Communities
include innovation, personalization and purposeful instruction
driven by ongoing data collection and analysis. Personalization
asks us to create connections for students in a systemic way.
Allowing teachers to team and share common planning time for
common students is one proven approach to this need.
Grade 9 - FOCUS
(Freshmen Organized To Create Ultimate Success)
The purpose of FOCUS is to provide Serra freshmen a bridge
to a successful high school experience. FOCUS stresses the
development of positive personal relationships among teachers
and students, with an emphasis on developing the academic
and social skills necessary for high school success. FOCUS
includes four small “houses,” each with shared English,
math, and physics teachers who share a common group of students
and a common prep period. In addition, FOCUS teachers have
created common units of study based on the California State
Curriculum Standards for each subject area. Research shows
that smaller learning communities like FOCUS create a more
personalized high school experience, which improves student
achievement. Students have better attendance and fewer discipline
problems. Smaller learning communities are safer and more
productive because students feel less alienated, more nurtured
and more connected to caring adults.
The mission for FOCUS is to develop freshmen who:
• Feel personally connected to Serra High School and
are proud to be Serra Conquistadors
• Are learning to think like scientists, mathematicians
and writers
• Are beginning to prepare for a four year college
or university so that they have options when they graduate
Theme for the Year
The 2005–2006 theme for FOCUS is “Thinking Like
a Genius.” Students will examine how great geniuses
think in their science, math and English classes.
Grade 10 – Sophomore School Of Humanities (SSH)
The Sophomore School of Humanities stresses many of the same
philosophies as FOCUS, but the program theme is quite different.
In the SSH, 10th grade English teachers are teamed with World
History teachers. Students are shared and there is common
planning time. Units of instruction align in the two content
areas to each other and to state standards.
The theme for the SSH is; “Infinite Possibilities…The
Power of Choice.”
Students is the SSH have the opportunity to learn about their
role in a democratic society.while they explore “man’s
journey” in the readings and writings in their humanities
block.
Emphasis is placed on the exposure to the PSAT, college and
career exploration and community service.
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