ARISE High School - Granicus

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Both CES and ELOB follow the philosophy of "less is more", "depth over breadth" and
engaging students with challenging yet meaningful and relevant curriculum, all within
the context of a highly personalized, supportive culture. Extensive research in both
school reform approaches document that this methodology engages students and
increases student achievement. Examples of successful small, urban public high
schools around the country that have utilized the CES approach include the Boston
Arts Academy and Urban Academy in New York City. Both schools have great track
records including significantly higher graduation and college matriculation rates
compared with other schools serving similar populations. 1 Our team believes that
students learn best when teachers practice authentic and active pedagogy that
requires students to construct their own knowledge and apply their learning.
Key strategies include:
• Learning expeditions: In-depth, interdisciplinary, standards-based investigations
of a theme using project-based learning
• Active pedagogy: Active and engaging teaching and learning that is hands-on
and makes the content come alive
• Service learning and community-based learning: Students are involved in
projects in their communities, learn by doing, and have meaningful, relevant,
yet standards-based experiences outside of the school's walls
• Differentiated instruction: Students learn in heterogeneous (and fully inclusive)
classrooms that allow them to progress even when that improvement has as
many different starting points as there are students
• Student-driven projects and inquiry: Students can follow their "passions",
pursue topics, and produce projects of their choosing within the context of
appropriate scaffolding
• Literacy across the curriculum: Every class will include a strong focus on
reading and writing, with all teachers being trained in literacy instruction and
seeing themselves as literacy teachers.
• Clear, achievable expectations around college: All students will take collegeprep
courses and will receive college counseling and preparation in an
environment where it is expected that everyone will attend college.
Drawing upon the Mills TRIO Programs' expertise in preparing students for and
helping them be admitted to four year colleges, ARISE's college-prep focus will be
woven throughout the instructional program. We believe that a critical component of
activating student learning and helping students realize their potential is for the staff to
have high expectations for all students, including firmly believing that every young
person is capable of attending and successfully graduating from an institution of
higher education. A high level of personalization, a priority for both the Mills TRIO
Program and the Coalition of Essential Schools, allows the adults to provide the
support necessary to help students meet these elevated expectations.
1 See Bibliography in appendices
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ARISE High School
Charter Petition Submitted to the Oakland Unified School District
July 18, 2006