1. Horace Greeley High School January 2007

2. Structure Study Group 3 Core Values Compassionate, respectful behavior within the school community. Increasing all students’ opportunities to discover and explore areas of interest in depth and over time. Learning communities integrated across the school and engaged in the continual, collaborative process of improving teaching and learning.

3. Working Hypothesis: Through a transitional period at Greeley, in the absence of an overarching, guiding force or mission, student and parent “perceptions” of the college admissions process have become an increasingly defining factor in shaping the student experience at HGHS. What do our students need in order to be best prepared for life after high school in the 21 st Century?

4. Statement from Duke University Office of Admissions: “ … we look for people who have unique qualities, who can challenge us as much as we challenge them. We want some bumps. We want some students who are well-rounded, some with sharp edges. We want people who are not afraid to undertake things that are messy, complex, and extremely difficult to do well—because they love it. We like students who already know what it means to succeed and those who know what it means to reach and not succeed and reach again. We like students who make intelligent and interesting mistakes, students who understand that only in risking failure do we become stronger, better, and smarter.”

5. Skills for the 21 st Century Rich understanding of one’s interests and strengths and their connections Ability to learn independently and as a member of a team Ability to decipher and make effective use of vast quantities of information (not necessarily to hold vast quantities of information in one’s head) Ability to think creatively and flexibly, to make interesting connections and to see patterns Thomas Friedman, Mel Levine, and others….

6. Where we were last June Which structural changes will most enhance Value #2 (“ discover and explore areas of interest in depth and over time”) and create that internal sense of mission based on locally developed criteria (as opposed to the externally imposed college process) while still maintaining the strengths of our current program? Focus of Structure Study: Academic Advisory – Cognitive Mentoring Different Scheduling Models School/student Governance Models Senior Year Options The use of space AP/IB/Concurrent Enrollment courses

7. Since September ‘06 Greeley Faculty – 3 Groups 1.Academic Advisory – Cognitive Mentoring 2.Core Principles (with parents and students) 3.How do we teach beyond content knowledge (towards 21 st Century skills)?

8. Today: How do we build on to what is a very good “shopping mall” high school, the added elements of … Developmentally appropriate, 21st Century skills? Coherent and intentional purpose and progression of the student experience through 4 years?

9. Today Approximately 470 Students 6 classes or fewer 670 Students 7 classes 200 Students 8 classes or more Current Schedule: The “Flexible Modular schedule” (instituted 35 years ago) An 8 period day 45 minute classes

10. The Spectrum of Possible Schedules 9 Period Day 39 minute classes 7 Period Day or 6 Period Day 60 minute classes 4 Period Day 90 minute classes Scheduled Lunch or No Scheduled Lunch? 2 Day Cycle4 Day Cycle6 Day Cycle 8 Day Cycle Rotating Periods?

11. Ideally, a new schedule will: Support our values & core principles for all students and adults Support the creation of a “full day” experience that is sensible & thoughtful for all students and adults Increase the opportunities for the teaching and learning of 21st Century skills Create fewer transitions each day Create fewer discrete topics and room for greater depth on any given day (fewer things, more time) Create more effective opportunities for professional time & adult collaboration during the school day Support our rich music, art and elective programs Allow a student to take up to, but no more than 8 classes

12. Winter/Spring 0707-08 School YearSeptember 08 Select the new schedule Mod-schedule remains in place Professional development in order to be ready to adopt and teach in a new model, and professional development around advisory (pending final conclusions of advisory group) Open school with new schedule in place Schedule Change Timeline:

13. Schedule Selection Process (Winter/Spring 07): I. Small Group (10 members), working with consultant, student involvement Will select 6 to 8 different schedules that come closest to our ideals II. Larger Group (20-30 members), student and parent involvement Will narrow the pool to 2 or 3 models III. Full Faculty inputWill provide feedback on the 2 to 3 models