Principal’s Letter to Parents

Blake HS has been given the great opportunity to develop an academy model of “smaller learning communities” in which each student can be exposed to career options before they launch their post-secondary education. Our $750,000 SLC grant from the federal government will allow us to give students a depth of education that few schools can offer.

High schools are often large, impersonal places where students can get lost. The goal of academies is to help students align their interests with like-minded peers, teachers, and professionals in courses that will help them explore and reach their goals. This is not declaring a major, as it is in college, as there is much overlap and many interrelationships between academies.

If you ask 90% of our students what courses they like and what they are interested in, they can tell you an alignment of primarily electives that excite them and meet their academic goals. Students with a strong interest in writing, often take elective courses in journalism, computer classes, television production and creative writing. But they may also take courses in business as they are interested in the business side of journalism. Students with a strong interest in music may choose to take many science and math electives as those skills and interests often go hand in hand.

Students who have not found a passion are usually less successful academically. When asked about future goals, students who say “college” see that as an end goal, not a means to a successful career and life. The goal of academies is for students to see college in their future but with a purpose; “I plan to go to college to study ______.” (Fill in the blank.)  Students may switch academies and may take courses outside of their academy. All students should plan on a capstone experience at the end of their high school career, be it a project, internship or something that demonstrates what they have gained from being in a community of learners who share their passion and interests. Studies and national trends about workforce excellence indicate that we need to help our students focus to help them be successful in the real world.  This is exactly the goal of Smaller Learning Communities at Blake High School.

Students in grades 10-12 selected a Career Academy pathway that guided their course selection for 2007-2008. To augment their academy studies, students have also selected a career pathway focus for their Academy Period. This weekly meeting will allow us to offer unique career exploration activities, including guest speakers and mentors chosen from the many business partnerships that support our academies.

The 2007-2008 Course of Studies handbook identifies our Academy themes and pathways and how they merge with existing programs. More detailed information about the Career Academies and pathways of studies within each academy can also be found on the Blake Webpage. We encourage parents and students to carefully consider the opportunities that our academies will offer for academic challenge and career exploration.

Carole Goodman,

Principal