We desire that all children have access to and experience in extracurricular activities. We understand that parental obligations will sometimes interfere with a student’s ability to commit to after school practices or rehearsals. We want to offer as many unique opportunities as possible to experience competition during the school day. Chess, debate, academic bowls, theater, solo/ensemble choral competitions, spelling bees, STEM competitions, and engineering teams might all become elective opportunities at High Point. A mentoring and monitoring system that allows secondary students daily access to their homeroom mentor coach, fostering educational relationships High Point students will spend time each day in their homeroom mentoring class. This largely affects middle school and high school students (grades 6-12). All students in these grades will be assigned a mentoring coach that will remain consistent with them throughout remainder of their High Point Academy career. Our goal is to create continuity among our students and staff members. It is our hope that this relationship will prove to be life changing. It is rare that mentor teachers are encouraged to transition a class through seven years of education. We want to pioneer this philosophy and create lasting academic relationships between students and staff. Extensive eighth grade and senior year research projects and presentations required for promotion and graduation Each of our “promoting” students (8th and 12th grade) will be given a research project that will reflect their particular area of interest. Students will choose projects based on their interest, resources, and desired of outcome. Their project will be recorded in an e-portfolio to show progression from 8th grade abilities to senior year development. These portfolios will also offer a permanent record of their work. Many colleges are interested in student based projects that make a difference in the world around them. By the time a student leaves High Point Academy, they will have transitioned from being children who are full of wonder to knowledgeable, responsible citizens that desire to affect the world around them.
Scholastic Reading Inventory as needed Benchmarking for EOC exams Year 2 High School HSAP-ELA and MATH Spring Benchmarking for HSAP exams Fall Retakes Fall/Spring High Point Academy understands that the testing dates are subject to change and will comply with all updates. Data collected from the testing and benchmarking will help to offer direction for the High Point staff. Parents, tutors, and teachers will have access to the information and twice yearly the AAP will be updated to reflect the areas of strength and weakness. Individual projects will be included in the plan to give students a direction for self-learning and fun project based activities that improve educational achievement. Accountability is vital for success in a data driven environment. Teachers that are experiencing repetitive challenges will be mentored and placed on a growth plan to develop their skills and make them more effective in the classroom. High Point Academy will offer all staff and teachers professional development that gives them teaching strategies, technology-based development and classroom management skills to refine their classroom approach and achieve excellent results. Professionals that are unable to stay on task in the classroom, achieve positive test scores, and struggle with classroom management will be properly identified and evaluated through the ADEPT system. In some cases, a teacher will be replaced. First however, they will be given appropriate remediation and training, placed on growth plans to improve weak areas and directly mentored by more experienced teachers. Often times, teachers struggle due to lack of knowledge or acquired skill. High Point Academy wants to be proactive in developing quality teachers and
between June 24, 2013 and December 2, 2013 will be eligible to count towards the 1:1 funding up to $300,000! High Point is working hard, diligently seeking grants that will allow us to promote the high tech environment we have envisioned for STEM learning. The High Point budget reflects a balanced approach. Teacher salaries and building costs comprise a large portion of the necessary funds received into the budget. However, High Point Academy, Inc. has invested in students and educational costs through contracting with a CMO and purchasing instructional items. Professional development, tutoring services, and teacher training are some of the provisions planned, in order that the money will be available to create a better environment for learning and assist children in succeeding. With grant money and contributions, High Point will be ahead of schedule for the purchase of IPADS for 6-12th grade students. Our plan originally was to have two complete classroom sets of IPADS to be used among the 19 classrooms during the first year. However, due to the initial $250,000 grant, we will have 6-8th grade students all issued an IPAD. We will also have three classroom sets purchased for use among the remaining elementary classes. The cost for this project will be just under $60,000 and includes service warranties, cases, educational networking and the IPAD. (132 IPADS) High Point will use a recommended accounting service by the SCPCSD for yearly audits. We will comply with state law in auditing and reporting procedures. The school will strictly follow the budget as outlined in the initial charter application. The Board can make necessary amendments to the budget with a majority vote. By hiring qualified individuals and a qualified CMO, High Point will have a strong framework in place for making fiscally sound decisions. Good practice with money is vital for a school to survive its inaugural year. Another necessity for High Point Academy is to recognize that student enrollment determines income. Poor management in Power School could cost an organization thousands of dollars. We believe that a system of checks and balances must be put in place to protect the school and ensure that it receives every penny due it. Procedures will be determined and developed for successful management of state funds in the months immediately following charter award.
can release an employee as they feel necessary for any reason not related to race, gender, or religious. High Point Academy seeks to have a pleasant work environment that offers support, training, and acknowledgement. Grievance and Termination Procedures Employees at High Point Academy will have the right to file a grievance with the Board of Directors at High Point Academy. All matters pertaining to employment rests with the school board. Their decision is final. Employee Relations High Point Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Offering at-will employment, High Point Academy seeks to establish good relationships with all staff members. Advertisement for employment will be listed in the local newspaper, online through the South Carolina Public Charter School division and job boards and alternative certification programs. Applicants can submit an application along with a resume when seeking employment for a position at High Point Academy. Interviews will be conducted by the administration of High Point and the best candidate for the position will be selected. Teacher Evaluations Teachers will be evaluated on the ADEPT system. Purpose: To establish the basic structure for the evaluation of the professional instructional staff in the district to ensure accountability. The appropriate personnel will evaluate the performance of every instructional employee fairly and on a periodic basis in an effort to improve the quality of all work performance. The Executive Director will enforce the rules, regulations and procedures necessary for conducting an efficient, effective program of employee performance evaluation. The elements of the performance evaluation program are as follows.
Table of Contents Appendix A-Y Appendix A………...Charter Committee Appendix B…………Evidence of Support Appendix C…………Conversion School Support Appendix D…………Desegregation Order from SCPCSD Appendix E …………School Calendar and Daily Schedule Appendix F ………….Virtual School List of Courses Appendix G………….Supporting Documents for described Ed Plan Appendix H…………..Student Handbook Appendix I……………Bylaws Appendix J……………Articles of Incorporation Appendix K…………...Organization Chart Appendix L……………School Enrollment Form Appendix M…………..Five Year Plan Appendix N……………Ten Year Plan Appendix O………….. Memorandums of Agreement for Negotiated Services Appendix P……………Letter of Agreement from Sponsor regarding Compliance Appendix Q……………Sample Job Descriptions Appendix R……………Key Employee Policies Appendix S……………Insurance Documents Appendix T…………...Transportation Service Contract
Appendix U………..Floor Plan Appendix V………..Proposed Lease or Rental Agreement Appendix W………..Documentation from the SCDE’s Office of School Facilities Appendix X………..Proposed Charter Management Organization (CMO) Contract Appendix Y………..Evidence that CMO Can DO Business in South Carolina