Berkeley High School

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Original Design Team Proposal

Essential Elements Benefits to Students
Universal 9th grade program composed of “houses” of 112-120 students and 4 core teachers.
  • Elimination of the 8th grade lottery; more time to learn about high school courses and program choices for 10-12 grade
  • Shared 9th grade experience in diverse classroom setting
  • More personalization from teachers who know students better
A modified block schedule of seven courses in which students do not attend each class every day. (Currently, there is a six-period schedule; students follow same 6 period schedule of classes daily.)
  • Longer class periods that meet for a comparable amount of instruction time but not every day
  • Less transitions from class to class, and more time in class.
  • Labs and project/problem-based learning more feasible
  • More personalization
  • Time for homework/project completion spread out over more days
Common collaboration time for teachers in the school day to align curriculum and instruction, conference about students, and share best practices.
  • Strong teaching; more personalized instruction
  • Anti-racist and culturally-responsive pedagogy and curriculum
  • Time for teachers to communicate around student intervention needs and supports
Advisory class for 9th and 10th graders focused on college and career, social emotional learning, digital citizenry and designed to shape a common BHS culture of respect and empathy.
  • Increased access to information about college preparation and career planning/opportunities
  • Space to develop social-emotional intelligence and positively impact learning experience and school spirit/culture
  • Adult(s) on campus who know students well
  • Access and referral to counseling & support services
CPAs in grades 10-12 & Merger of AC/IB into one learning community with houses and some cored classes.

CPA= California Partnership Academies (these are the three “small schools” at BHS)

Sample Schedule 10th grade
  • Cored Humanities (English and History) classes with a house of students in grades 10-12
  • Option to pursue the IB Diploma
  • Access to AP and IB classes
  • Access to wide range of electives including African American Studies, Chicano Literature, Arts, Music etc.
  • Access to career pathways
Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy:

The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. Accordingly, BUSD programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression; nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. (Board Policy 0410, Board Policy 1311, Board Policy 4030, Board Policy 5145.3, Board Policy 5145.7)

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy. (Board Policy 4030)

Complaint forms are available at school sites and on the district webpage at www.berkeleyschools.net/complaints.

For inquiries or concerns regarding BUSD nondiscrimination policy 5145.3 or the filing of discrimination complaints please contact:
Compliance Officer & Title IX Coordinator
2020 Bonar Street Room 116, Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: 510.486.9338     Email: nondiscrimination@berkeley.net
More information is available at www.berkeleyschools.net/non-discrimination/.
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