A Look at Our Smaller Learning Communities

RIGOR, RELEVANCE, RELATIONSHIP

	Contact Information
	Barbara Jeweler, Academy Coordinator
	Phone: 301-879-1369
	Email: Barbara_P_Jeweler@mcpsmd.org

THE ACADEMY PROGRAMS

AT JAMES H. BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

James Hubert Blake High School operates under an academy structure.  A Federal Grant has made it possible for Blake to join the growing national education movement toward organizing large high schools into Smaller Learning Communities (SLC), referred to as Academies.  This federal initiative has proven successful in preparing students for real world careers and entry into rigorous post-secondary education.  Academies promote connections among students and teachers, build teamwork and leadership skills, guide students in course selection, encourage academic challenge through rigorous courses, and prepare students for future careers through relevant course content and connections to the community and workplace. 

The Blake Academy Programs incorporate three themes, often referred to as the new 3 R’s of high school education--rigor, relevance, and relationship:

RIGOR requires increasing the academic challenges of students in the classroom and setting high standards of achievement for all students.

RELEVANCE means connecting what students study with post-secondary education and the world of work.

RELATIONSHIP refers to building connections among students and adult mentors to make education a more personal experience.

Students begin the Blake program in ninth grade as members of the Freshman Academy.   Teams of students share core teachers and receive academic support to help them make a successful transition to high school.   Through our weekly Academy Period structure of smaller learning communities, students determine skills and interests that align with future career areas and are introduced to the Blake Career Academy themes.  During ninth grade and beyond, students select an academy affiliation for their advisory group and a Career Academy pathway to guide their upper class course selection.  Students and parents make the academy choice, with guidance from teachers and counselors. Students are placed in Academy Period sections based on their academy and pathway choices.

The interests and needs of each student determine what academy program they enter and what courses they choose.  Once an academy is selected, a student takes a series of courses in the chosen career focus area, called a Pathway.  Each Career Academy offers many pathways to careers, with courses focused on information and skills that support further academic study and future employment.  The pathways guide students in selecting courses that support their personal and academic goals.  Students who complete a pathway and a culminating “capstone” experience receive an Academy certificate.

            A brief description of each of Blake’s four career academies can be found on this webpage at the link to Academy Descriptions..  

Career Academy FAQs
     The “who, what, when and why” of our academy plan.

Academy Mythbusters ...New

Career Academies:  Information about academy pathways and related career options.

Academy Descriptions ...New

Academy of Arts and Communication             

Academy of Business and Consumer Service    

Academy of Humanities and Public Service

Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math                        

Principal's Letter to Parents ...New

Career Academy Planner ...New