Culturally Relevant Inspiration CANDICE STERLING EDU 692 DR. CAROLYN POTTINGER MAY 30, 2016

Table of Contents Job Corps Power APAC School Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science References

Job Corps Location: Nationwide (with 126 locations throughout the United States) Website: jobcorps.gov

Why is this school innovative or unique? Job Corps provides those who dropped out of school or facing a possible drop out of school. Once participants have obtained a GED they are eligible for a vocational trade program. The programs has an eligibility criteria and an age limit of years of age.

A list of 21 st Century skills supported at the School Collaboration Creativity Problem-Solving Communication

A description of how learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy. Those who attend the Job Corps program come from different situations but share the same focus. They are able to get the education they need to get a great career. All of this can be done without the pressures of those who are not in their situation.

A description of how the school promotes creativity in the classroom for both teachers and students. This program gives individuals a second chance after their high school days have expired. Individuals are given a plentiful amount of vocational trade areas such as masonry, legal secretary, culinary arts, and many other areas. Participants that complete the Job Corps programs are given an opportunity to have a career they can enjoy despite their past.

Power APAC School Location: Jackson, MS Website: power.jpsms.org Serves students grades 4-12 Student Population: 187 Black students: 98% Caucasian Students: 2% School Mission Statement: The academic and performing arts complex seeks to provide intensive training for academically and artistically talented students through the provision of a strong scholastic and specialty enrichment program.” Source: power.jpsms.org

Why is this school innovative or unique? Power APAC is a performing Arts and Performance Arts School for students that are highly talented in the arts. The school have courses such as theatre, piano, vocal classes, drawing, and ballet classes.

A list of 21 st Century skills supported by the school. Collaboration Creativity Communication Critical Thinking The courses and the activates the students are involved in help them learn these skills. Classes such as dance and choral classes require that you communicate and collaborate with the director, conductor, or your fellow classmates. Creativity and critical thinking skills are very helpful when you are in theatre class and impromptu classes.

A description of how learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy. Power APAC is a hands on school. The students that attend go because they are interested in performance arts and performing arts. Meaning they are interested in the school because it is for students like them and for those who share the same interest. Students have opportunities to experience programs they may not be available at their local school. Source:power.jpsms.org

A description of how the school promotes creativity in the classroom. With this school being a school of arts creativity is one of the top priorities. To get into the school students must audition during that audition you mush show a high level of creativity. There are classes where students have to use their creative skills to complete various projects. Source: power.jpsms.org

Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Location: Columbus, MS Website: themsms.org Serves students 11 th and 12 th grades Student population: 250 Caucasian: 67% Black: 18% Asian: 9% Hispanic: 2% American Indian: 1% School Mission Statement: “Our mission is to enhance the future of Mississippi in the Global society by meeting the individual needs of gifted and talented students through providing innovative learning experiences and leadership development in residential environment. In addition, we will provide quality educational leadership for other educators and aggressive outreach programs that impact students across Mississippi.” Source: themsms.org

Why is this school innovative or unique? Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is a boarding school for those who possess interest and talented in mathematics and science. Students attend school and live on the college campus of Mississippi University for Women for the duration of their schooling. The classes at the school are at honors level or higher. Students are presented with over 100 different courses to take in different areas. Even the option to take college courses at no additional cost during their high school years. Source: themsms.org

A list of 21 st Century Skills supported by the school. With the course load the school possess students exposed to: Critical Thinking Creativity Collaboration Problem Solving

A description of how learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy. This boarding school is located on a college campus, students live on the college campus, and have the opportunity to take college courses. They are being prepared for success for their college years. Based on the student demographics of the school they are in a very diverse environment. Living with people of different cultures is different from being around them for a small portion of the day. These students are not only exposed to those who share the same culture as them but other cultures. Source: themsms.org

A description of how the school promotes creativity in the classroom. Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science student course catalog is amazing. They have a collection of over 100 different courses in all areas of study. Classes range from Dramatic Productions where students learn how to produce productions, Genetics, African American History(which is not available to students at high school level in most areas), and iPhone App Design using Swift (students create apps for iPhones). These are classes you do not see at your typical high schools. Students use a great amount of creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving because of the broad variety of courses offered. Source: themsms.org

References Jobcorps.org (Job Corps) Power.jpsms.org (Power APAC School) Themsms.org (Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science)