Philosophy

  • The mission of Phoenix High School, as an alternative and complement to the traditional high school program, is to ensure the success of students who may be unlikely, for a variety of reasons, to reach their potential in a traditional setting. Our program is grounded in the uniqueness and inherent worth of the individual student. We believe that every student possesses the ability to become a self-confident, independent learner. Phoenix will enable each student to experience a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of belonging, and confidence in setting goals and making life choices. We will provide a variety of opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for fulfilling adult roles.

  • Phoenix High School Shared Commitments

    The following sets of shared commitments (Teacher and Student) have been developed to directly support your academic success at Phoenix. Please see any Phoenix teacher and/or administrator for clarification of our shared commitments. Please note that the Student Commitments section was generated by both current and former Phoenix students.

  • Teacher Commitments

    Each teacher is committed to the following:

    • Personal Learning
    • Plan for Student-Centered Learning
    • Use Consistent Criteria for Learning
    • Make Assessment Criterion and Performance-Based
    • Participate in Professional Conversations and Support Phoenix's Philosophy

    Personalize Learning

    • Take time to get to know your students as individual learners. Choose and use a variety of teaching, learning, and assessment strategies that address the needs and talents of each student that will help them learn well.
    • Invite students to participate in making decisions and plans about their work.
    • Be positive with students. Help each student feel positive about him or herself and about education.
    • Develop specific classroom procedures and make sure each student knows your expectations. Deal with student behavior calmly, quietly, and consistently. Show respect and deal individually with problems

    Plan for Student-Centered Learning

    • Engage students in active work that teaches and applies essential knowledge and skills.
    • In every class, give student opportunities to work with other students.
    • Help students make connections between classroom activities and their larger world.
    • Incorporate course appropriate technology throughout the curriculum.
    • Plan thoroughly for the full two hours of class each day. 100% of class time should be used for instructional purposes. Make quality bell-to-bell learning a priority.

    Use Consistent Criteria for Learning

    • Expect all students to meet specific standards on essential knowledge and skills in order to receive course credit.
    • Do everything you can to help each student successfully meet the standards.
    • Prepare and give to students a course syllabus including objectives or key concepts, classroom expectations, and grading practices. The syllabus should be consistent with school system and Phoenix curriculum and policies.
    • Provide students with timely and appropriate feedback.

    Make Assessment Criterion and Performance-Based

    • Use a variety of assessment activities that account for individual differences.
    • Base assessment on demonstrations of real knowledge, skills, and habits of mind.
    • Give students opportunities for self-assessment.
    • Expect students to explain and defend their work through various means such as presentations and performances.
    • Provide reasonable opportunities for students to revise, relearn, and reassess their work.
    • Model learning for students: share your learning, problem-solving skills, and habits of mind.
    • Participate in Professional Conversations and Support Phoenix's Philosophy
    • Join the decision-making process and accept shared responsibility for instruction at Phoenix.
    • Teach with enthusiasm and be involved with your students. Concern and extra steps taken on the part of teachers help students make the difference between success and failure.

     

  • Student Commitments

    Each student is committed to the following:

    • Exhibit Mature Behavior
    • Maintain Attendance
    • Take Responsibility for Learning
    • Motivation to Make Good Decisions
    • Respect

    Exhibit Mature Behavior

    • Adult privileges are given to students; students should exhibit respect and proper behavior.
    • Students must be responsible for their own conduct.
    • Student must realize when it is appropriate to speak and express themselves without offending others.
    • Students should come to school drug free.
    • Maintain Attendance
    • Attendance is required.
    • Students are responsible for their own attendance and should maintain reasons for using absences and tardies.
    • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from school.

    Take Responsibility for Learning

    • Walk into the building ready to learn.
    • Students should be prepared with classroom materials each day.
    • Students are required to participate in class.Stay focused and attentive during class.
    • Students should do all work assigned.
    • Turn in assignments on time.
    • Make up any assignments on time.
    • Students should put forth the effort to earn the highest grades possible and to graduate.

    Motivation to Make Good Decisions

    • Come to class with a positive attitude.
    • Be ready to work when you enter the classroom.
    • Students should be motivated to make long-term goals in and out of school and short-term goals to keep up their grades.
    • Students should show motivation to make good decisions for long and short-term results.

    Respect

    • Students should respect the teachers, staff, and other students in the building.
    • Students should respect the school building and equipment.
    • Students should respect individuality in teachers and other students.
    • Students should respect the ideas of others.
    • Students should respect that others are here to learn.