Columbia Heights Educational Campus

Academies and Early College Design

The Academy model provides an academically rigorous, non-tracked, thematic program of study that enables students to master both academic and employment-related competencies. Beginning in the tenth grade, students have career-based learning experiences, increasing in duration and intensity over three years and culminating in an internship the summer before their senior year. Through the implementation of the 4 by 4 Semester Block Schedule, we are able to articulate our curriculum with post-secondary institutions, offering dual credit, and Advanced Placement options to students.

Early College High School

The Early College High School program is a full partnership between CHEC and local colleges. High School students in the Academies (see below) will have the opportunity to earn college credit and earn credit at Bell at the same time. Students take courses on college campuses, and college-level work is offered at Bell. Middle school students prepare to be able to take early college classes as early as 9th grade, by completing a rigorous program in the lower grades.

Advanced Placement for All

Every student is expected to take at least two Advanced Placement courses during their years in the Upper Division. In the 11th and12th grade, all English classes are Advanced Placement classes; there is no "regular" English. All students take the AP exams in the Spring. In this way, students are exposed to the rigor they will see in college.

Small Learning Communities

In order to make sure that each student receives personal attention, CHEC has been divided up into six Small Learning Communities. The goal of these SLCs is to provide clear focus, strong student teacher relationships, and attention to the needs of students at different points in their middle and high school careers. Each SLC has its own floor in the building, along with its own administrator, counselor, teachers, and support staff. SLCs also have themes and chants to build their sense of belonging to their SLC.

International Spanish Academy

Bell Multicultural High School and Lincoln Multicultural Middle School have been accepted as part of the network of schools that belong to the International Spanish Academy. This program begins in the 6th grade, and will develop students who have bilingual proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students and parents who are interested in this new program should see their Guidance Counselor.

Special Education Program

CHEC's special education program is designed to provide all of our special needs students with the services and supports they need, in an inclusive environment. We follow the Individualized Education Plan closely, and involve students and parents in assessing progress and advocating for themselves.

Schedule

In the Upper Division (Grades 9-12) we utilize Semester Block Scheduling, in which classes are offered for 83 minutes per day, every day. Most classes award one Carnegie unit for one semester's work. Students take four classes per semester and eight classes in the entire year. This schedule allows students to earn 32 credits during 4 years. Students can also take college or technical courses while in high school, saving thousands of dollars. Students who are immigrants to the country have more opportunities to earn credits and complete high school, and all students can receive twice as much time for instruction in English and Mathematics.

Homework Policy

Parents are asked to make sure that their child is doing their homework. Research shows that at the secondary level, one to two hours of homework per night increases student achievement. The CHEC policy requires that all classes assign homework every night. Students are expected to complete their homework on an every day. Any student who consistently fails to do homework will receive demerits, and a parental conference will be required. The grade for the class will also be affected. If students need help in completing homework, tutoring is offered every day after school. Tutoring is mandatory for students who fall behind in their homework.

The 25 Book Standard

We know that reading is the key to academic achievement. Research has shown that students must read at least 1,000,000 words per year, in order to become proficient readers. For this reason, at CHEC we have a requirement that every student read 25 books every year. Time is provided in class to meet some of this requirement, but students must also read at home in order to be able to complete the 25 books. Students are also responsible for recording their responses to the books, and keeping a list, or annotated bibliography of books. This bibliography must be in their portfolios. All students must fulfill the 25-book requirement in order to be promoted to the next grade and to graduate.