Foster City Islander Article - 10-11-2006
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Charter Public |
Phyllis Moore, President, Foster City High School Foundation |
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Small by Design
Approximately 500 students will attend the tuition-free, charter public high school planned for Foster City. This small student body is intentional because small high schools can do an exceptional job of preparing students for the ever-increasing demands of higher education and the real world.
Small schools enable teachers to focus on the individual needs and learning styles of each student. The intimacy of a small school also encourages greater parent involvement, a major success factor for high school students.
Every student attending our high school will work with their teachers and parents to develop a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) based on individual abilities, interests and goals, and on our high school’s rigorous educational standards. Each customized PLP will include coursework, individual study, tutoring if necessary, school and community projects, and internships with community organizations and businesses.
Students vary widely in their learning needs and PLPs confront the difficult reality that no single educational approach works well for everyone. PLPs support each student’s educational and personal goals while taking into account individual strengths and weaknesses.
PLPs assign responsibilities and set goals for students, parents and teachers. These goals provide the basis for monitoring and assessing the performance of both the students and the school. If a student falls behind, the teachers and parents will know immediately and they can work together to help the student get back on track.
PLPs help students excel by raising expectations, improving learning, tracking progress and empowering parents. They also engender self discipline, responsibility, and accountability, preparing students for more than just academic success after graduation—preparing them for life.
