Courses & Schedules

Course Offerings/Schedule

Each student will be provided with a course syllabus for each class

Courses

Math

Middle School and High School Math courses will be offered in a blended instruction format.  This means that students will receive the majority of their math instruction on-line through Compass Learning.  This allows students to access math at their independent working level and to work at their own pace.  The math teacher will be monitoring student’s progress in their on-line courses as well as supporting students through intensive, individualized small group instruction.

Middle School Language Arts and High School English

These classes will be taught be a highly qualified language arts teacher and special education teacher.  Instruction is delivered through the reading and writing workshop model.  Students who have deficits in their reading and writing skills or are performing below grade level will receive intensive, individualized small group instruction.

Social Studies

The social studies focus for middle school students is Geography for the 2011/2012 school year.  This course will follow the Geography State Standards and students will access the District approved curriculum.  Instruction will be modified and differentiated based on students’ needs.

High School students will have access to one semester of US History and one semester of US Government.  Again, these courses follow state and district guidelines and are required for high school graduation.

Science

The science focus for middle school students is Life Science for the 2011/2012 school year.  This course will follow State Standards and students will access the District approved curriculum and framework.  Instruction will be modified and differentiated based on students’ needs.

 Applied Biology is the high school science course offered at Independence Academy.  Again, this course follows state and district guidelines and is required for high school graduation.

Interpersonal Development

This course is designed to meet the individualized affective needs of each student.  The majority of the instruction is whole group instruction with a lot time set aside for role playing new skills.  This course also provides students an opportunity to use group social skills in order to have informed discussions about the challenges that students face at school, at home or in their community.

Elective

This course offers a six- week rotation in the following areas: job skills, creative pursuits, life skills, technology, health and nutrition, community service.  This course infuses a lot of movement and outside activity in order to provide students an alternative setting from the traditional classroom setting.

Check-in

School starts promptly at 8:30.  All students need to be dropped off on the North side building entrance.  Students will be greeted by Independence Academy staff and directed to the lunch room.  In the lunch room, students will check-in individually with Independence Academy staff.  During check-in students will request hot lunch if needed.  On a daily basis, students’ personal belongings will be searched by staff.  Students will be also be searched by showing their pockets to staff and will be “wanded” by a metal detector.

Homeroom

Each student will be assigned to a homeroom.  Homeroom serves a variety of purposes.  First and foremost, homeroom functions as a “home base” for students.  During morning homeroom, students are able to prepare for the school day by checking in with their teacher, getting their point sheet, and setting a goal for the day.  During afternoon homeroom, students are able to debrief and process their day with their teacher, calculate their points and prepare for home.

The homeroom teacher also serves as the primary point of contact for families.  The homeroom teacher will set up an individualized communication system between school and home.  The homeroom teacher is responsible for tracking a student’s progress in our level system and notifying the family of any concerns the school might have.  Also, if the student and family have questions and/or concerns about the program the homeroom teacher is the first point of contact.  If the student is in special education the homeroom teacher will be the service coordinator for any IEP related meetings and/or questions.