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Founded in 2003, the Met Sacramento
High School is part of the district’s innovative small high schools.
The
Met Sacramento High School is
one of 54 schools nationwide that is part of The Big Picture Company which
believes that schools must be personalized, educating every student
equally, one student at a time. Each student’s learning plan should
grow out of his or her unique needs, interests, and passions. We believe
that the education system must ensure that students and families are
active participants in the design and authentic assessment of each child’s
learning. Schools must be small enough to encourage the development of a
community of learners, and to allow for each child to be known well by at
least one adult.
The Met Sac
prides itself on real world learning, rigorous curriculum and a deep
connection with all of its students. We accomplish this by a student
friendly 1:18 student to teacher ratio. We have eight teachers who are
called advisors because they also act as school counselors as well as
conduits to the greater Sacramento community. We also have a special
education teacher that works with our students for both RSP and ED
reasons.
All
students learn through internships. Students are present at their Learning
Through Internships (LTI ) two days a week. These internships range from
work at the state capital, local schools, lawyer’s offices, the zoo,
various retail shops and a myriad of other establishments in the community
- both by sending students out to learn from mentors in the real world,
and by allowing the school itself to serve as an asset to the local
community and its needs. Finally, schools must allow for admission to, and
success in, college to be a reality for every student, and work closely
with students, families, and colleges.
The Big
Picture
The
advisory structure is the core organizational and relational structure of
a Big Picture School. It is the heart and soul of the school and is often
described as the “home” and “second family” by students. The students will
work with their advisor for the entire time they are enrolled. We have
math classes three times a week where students work in a more traditional
classroom environment.
The
advisor’s role is to manage the student’s
LTIs
and individual,
personalized learning plans. To do this, the advisor must get to know and
build relationships with each student and his or her families. This
includes home visits, and one-on-one meetings with each student and their
families. It is not unlikely that a life long bond will form between the
advisor and the student. Though certified in one area, the advisor does
not “teach” his or her subject area; rather he or she needs to draw on
many disciplines to meet the needs of each student, their projects, and
the advisory activities.
Big Picture Schools hold very high
standards for students. We have designed our educational program from the
end-goal backwards – meaning, we have a clear vision of our graduates'
skills, knowledge and personal qualities that will help lead them to
success and fulfillment. However, we also know that to truly educate one
student at a time, our goals for their learning must be flexible enough to
accommodate the diversity of student needs and personal aspirations. Our
assessment system then is based around two sets of goals, five school-wide
Learning Goals, and each student’s own personal goals. Woven throughout
all of the goals is our commitment that learning be real and meaningful,
and that each student should become a life-long learner.
The five school-wide Learning Goals are based on our belief that high
school graduates must know how to reason, problem-solve and be cooperative
members of the community. At Big Picture Schools, there is no canon of
information that all students must know.
At the Met Sacramento, advisors look at the big picture of each student’s
learning and challenge the student to do academically rigorous project
work that incorporates the Learning Goals and is focused around his or her
personal interests and passions. Older students assist younger students in
understanding and addressing the Learning Goals and are valued as role
models of self-directed learning and goal achievement. Most importantly,
Learning Through Internship, LTI, projects provide students with the
opportunity to address the Learning Goals in the real world.
The Met Sacramento High School, as well as all Big Picture schools, strive
to create a respectful, diverse, creative, exciting, and reflective
culture. There is a
culture of respect and equality between students and adults, as well as
among students and among all of the adults in the school. Students are
encouraged to take leadership roles in the school and student voice is
valued in decision making processes. For the adults in Big Picture
Schools, teamwork is a defining aspect of the culture. Principals create
regular opportunities for professional development and life-long learning.
Staff members also reflect regularly and share ideas through a weekly,
internal publication called TGIF. Additionally, staff members meet
regularly in a variety of configurations (whole staff, grade level,
buddies, etc.).
Parent engagement in a child’s learning is essential and
Big Picture Schools "enroll" families as well as students in the entire
life of the school. By bringing students out into the community and
bringing the community into the school, Big Picture schools become
community assets and positive, learning-rich contributors to their
surrounding neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
College
Going Culture
All Big
Picture School students are required to take college entrance exams and
apply to at least one college or post-secondary school program. No matter
what their chosen course, Big Picture Schools require all students to
develop post-high school plans.
Alumni of
Big Picture schools are forever considered members of the school community
and are encouraged and supported throughout their post-school years to
remain life-long learners. Each Big Picture School develops programs and
services to work with students through the important transition from high
school to post-graduate life, and beyond. Many of these programs also
provide opportunities for Big Picture School alums to serve as role models
to current students and takes part in mentoring and speaking to new and
prospective students.
The Met Sacramento graduated its
entire class of students last year. They were all eligible for a multitude
of state and UC colleges nationally and abroad. This was the first
graduating class. By continuing strong relationships with students and
their families, including home visits, we hope to continue this success.
Call for more information. Additional
information is available at
www.bigpicture.org |
