High School Global Studies Academy

• 9th / 10th Grade Levels
• 11th / 12th Grade Levels

Global Studies Academy Mission Statement

Forest Charter School’s Global Studies Academy, in a partnership with parents/guardians, strives to provide core academic curriculum and support for motivated and inspired students through blending independent study with a college preparatory classroom model. Students engage in cooperative learning by contributing to group projects as well as classroom discussions. Because of flexible scheduling, students are able to succeed in structured core academic classes, while participating in independent elective classes. In the Global Studies Academy, credentialed, subject-specific teachers work with students to build the study skills necessary to thrive in the 21st Century. Teachers believe that education extends far beyond the classroom, and we work to help students create connections between what they learn in their classes and the outside world. Students participate in team-building activities to form a safe learning environment in which all students feel comfortable sharing their ideas, knowledge, and skills. Global Studies Academy teachers believe in the personalized learning approach to teaching. We realize students learn through different modalities and we provide multiple activities and ways to teach concepts so that all students feel valued, respected, and educated.

Global Studies Academy Summary

The focus for Forest Charter School's Global Studies Academy is global issueswith an emphasis on community and environment. As a group, we build our community around the educational needs and goals of our students through group discussion, group and individual discovery, and personalized learning. We use multiple learning methods to tap into individual students’ learning modalities. Projects, group and individual presentations, team-building activities, field trips, and community activities are just a few of the ways we make education relevant for our students. Students also have a hand in helping their teachers create units of study designed to meet college prep state standards.

During this next academic year, the Global Studies Academy will focus on global issues, community, and environment by participating in the following activities: working with The Friends of Deer Creek and SYRCL, creating projects to focus community awareness on some of the critical problems facing our world, communicating with students in different countries, and taking numerous field trips. These activities will allow students to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. Part of the Global Studies Academy’s mission is to help students become self-motivated, self-reliant, and community contributors. To accomplish this goal, students often work in teams to help one another and to help their teachers plan and implement their practical field experiences.

Our hope is that students leave the Global Studies Academy with a broader picture of the world outside the classroom and their role in the World Community.

Global Studies Academy Seminar Class

In each Global Studies Academy Section, a seminar class is required as an Academic Elective.  In this course, students may study such topics as note-taking, study skills, goal setting, college and career planning, life skills, and team and community building.  The two Global Studies Academy lead teachers will facilitate this course.

Global Studies Academy Math Lab

The Global Studies Academy will offer a Math Lab as a way for students to receive additional tutoring in their math classes.  Students will be required to attend only if they fall behind in their math course of study.  A highly qualified and credentialed math teacher will run Math Lab.
Profile of an Global Studies Academy Student

• learning
• participating in a college preparatory curriculum, including controversial current events
• being part of the Global Studies Academy community
• being at school two days a week (minimum) and being on time
• completing in-class work and independent study work on time
• being organized
• participating in all scheduled activities
• independently exploring concepts and ideas introduced in class
• attending office hours and tutoring if necessary
• attending scheduled learning record meetings

Profile of an Global Studies Academy Parent/Guardian

• student success
• motivating student
• monitoring student progress at home
• supporting independent study classes
• being organized
• supporting personalized learning in a directed environment
• communicating with ES and teachers
• being flexible with student schedules
• participating in school related activities
• using office hours if questions arise
• being part of the Global Studies Academy community
• attending scheduled learning record meetings

Profile of an Global Studies Academy Teacher/Educational Specialist

• learning
• facilitating the Global Studies Academy community
• communicating with students and parents
• supporting student success
• supporting independent study classes
• aligning student curriculum with standards and student’s future goals
• being organized
• participating in all scheduled activities
• providing office hours and tutoring
• attending scheduled learning record meetings

Global Studies Academy Policies

Grading:

• No late daily work will be accepted barring extenuating circumstances.
• 10% will be taken off the final grade for each day a late paper or project is not turned in unless the instructor states otherwise.
• If a day of class is missed, make-up work, quizzes, and tests need to be made up at the next study hall session (within 1 week).
• All assignments are due at the beginning of each class period, otherwise they are late and will not be accepted.
• As in any school situation, plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated in the Global Studies Academy.  Students who cheat will go before HSRB and may be asked to leave the Academy.
• If a student does not understand a homework problem/question, the student must write out the problem/question and then write down his/her own question about what is not understood.

Attendance:

• Prompt and complete attendance in all classes is mandatory.  (Coming late or leaving before the end of class is not okay.)   A student may go before HSRB if he/she has more than two absences or two tardies within a semester and may be asked to leave the Global Studies Academy.
• Students must remain on the Forest Charter School property during all Global Studies Academy hours, including lunch.  Please bring food and a bottle of water every day of class.
• There is a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding smoking during school hours anywhere within the Nevada City limits.
• Students must sign in each day when they enter the building to attend classes.

Fieldtrips:

• The Global Studies Academy plans numerous fieldtrips throughout the school year.  Students are required to attend these fieldtrips as part of their commitment to the Global Studies Academy.  (Parents may also be asked to drive for these fieldtrips.)
• At times, Global Studies Academy classes may not meet at the Forest Charter School office, and students will be responsible for finding their own transportation to local meeting places.

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