Program of Studies 2011-2012 - Gorham High School!

COURSES OF STUDY
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
At Gorham High School, we offer multiple pathways for students to achieve success. The goal of Alternative
Education at GHS is to guide students to graduation by providing academic and social/emotional supports.
BRIDGES
(Building Relationships, Increasing Determination, and Good Experiences in School)
The BRIDGES Program is an exciting option for 9 th grade Gorham High School students. BRIDGES is an
alternative education program created to provide a small class size, close teacher relationships, and
individualized instruction. Coursework is created to be practical, hands-on, project based, experiential, and
community oriented.
Each year, a small group of incoming 9 th grade students is selected for the BRIDGES Program. Students are
chosen because it is anticipated that they will be more successful with increased supports and an alternative
education environment. The BRIDGES Program was created specifically for these students, to provide them with
an innovative way to be successful in public school and achieve their potential as learners.
The primary goals of the BRIDGES Program are to help improve students’ skills in: literacy and numeracy, study
habits, conflict resolution, relationships, and resiliency. The BRIDGES Program teaches course content in
English, history, math, science, and conflict resolution. At the end of their 9 th grade year, students can earn the
same amount of credits as any 9 th grade student, and be on track to graduate in four years.
110BR BRIDGES English
198BR Conflict Resolution
210BR BRIDGES Math
310BR BRIDGES Earth Space Science
405BR BRIDGES World History 1
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
1 Credit
Humanities
The Humanities Alternative Education program at Gorham High School seeks to provide students with the
supports needed to successfully navigate through their high school years. Small class size, individualization, and
a project-based approach to knowledge acquisition is the foundation of Humanities. Administrative and Teacher
approval is a prerequisite to participation in Humanities.
1060 Humanities 10 2 Credits
This two credit course is designed for students who have struggled with school and need a high degree of
individualized attention to develop their reading and writing skills. Course content includes core academic
standards of both English 10 and American History. Students read the newspaper daily, participate in simulations
and hands-on projects to both gain knowledge and identify applicability of course material to their lives.
Prerequisite: Administrative recommendation and approval.
1065 Humanities 11 2 Credits
This two-credit course is an expansion of concepts covered in Humanities 10 with even greater emphasis placed
upon personal relevance and connections to future school and/or career plans. This course includes core
academic standards of English 11 and Modern World History with attention to the development of critical thinking
skills. Heavy emphasis is placed on class participation that is often focused on the social, political, cultural and
philosophical implications of history and literature.
Prerequisite: Administrative recommendation and approval.
Program of Studies: 2011-2012 Page 8