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A Look at Our Smaller Learning CommunitiesArts and Communication | Business and Consumer Services | Humanities and Public Service | Science Technology, Engineering, and Math RIGOR, RELEVANCE, RELATIONSHIP
The Academy Programs at James H. Blake High SchoolJames Hubert Blake High School operates under an academy structure. Also referred to as Smaller Learning Communities, academies promote connections among students and teachers. They also 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. 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. Throughout the freshman year, 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 and a Career Academy Pathway to focus their elective course selections. Students and parents make the academy choice, with guidance from teachers and counselors. Career Academy Pathways provide an opportunity for students to complete course work related to career themes in preparation for future education and careers. The interests, needs and academic goals of each student determine what pathway they enter and what courses they choose. Affiliation with a career academy does not mean students are being asked to choose a career while in high school. Academy activities expose students to concepts and information that broaden their understanding of workplace opportunities and expectations. Students are not limited to courses in their pathways or academies. In fact, academies often share courses that are interdisciplinary, so students from several academies might take the same course. As part of our pathway development, we have added some unique course opportunities and sequences that were previously unavailable at Blake. As always, students may take any courses of interest offered at Blake. Academy pathways guide students in their course choices, but students are not required to complete a course sequence. Those students who do complete a required sequence of academy courses and a related capstone experience receive academy certification. Learning is most successful when it can be connected to specific, concrete applications. Capstone Experiences allow students to apply their academic education to authentic, real-world projects and further develop leadership and teamwork skills. Capstones at Blake might be an internship at a theater, business or science lab; a research project mentored by a NASA scientist, museum curator, or IBM executive; a video documentary, dance or music composition, or student-directed play completed for entry into a national competition; a leadership position responsible for producing a Blake activity or event. Staff and career professionals mentor students as they demonstrate their applied learning in these settings. We expect that Career Academies will instill an increased sense of engagement for our students, staff, parent, business and higher education community. The "who, what, when and why" of our academy plan. Application for Certification for Graduating Seniors 2009 (Microsoft Word 2003 or older) Application for Certification for Academic Year 2009-2010 (Microsoft Word 2003 or older) |
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James Hubert Blake High School
300 Norwood Road - Silver Spring, MD - 20905 | Directions | MCPS
Phone: 301-879-1300
Fax: 301-879-1306
Office Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:00PM
Sophie Van Etten - Student ~Webmaster~
