|
A History of Excel Academy
|
| Robbins Academy was
founded in 1999 as the Alamo Heights non-traditional high school of
choice. Dr. Jerry Christian, the former AHISD Superintendent, and the
late Diane Tilly, former English teacher at AHHS and the first lead
teacher of Robbins, led the effort targeting those students who were
motivated to gain credits towards graduation but had unique needs
prohibiting academic success on a traditional high school campus. |
| Relationship to Alamo Heights High School |
| Excel Academy is an
extension of AHHS with the operation, structure, and curriculum of the
school under the supervision of the AHISD central office and the AHHS
administrative team. AHHS principal has final
approval for placement at Excel. Academic reporting (progress reports
and report cards) is handled by the main campus and students may enroll
in courses at AHHS with permission of the counseling staff and
principal. Students receive an Alamo Heights High School diploma. |
| Student Profile |
| Who is the "typical" Excel student? Although each student has unique needs and circumstances, the
successful Excel student will be one who is committed to the goals and
ideas of a non-traditional high school and capable of earning a high
school diploma. The student should be between the ages of 16 and 21 with
10 or more credits. Many times the student will have credit
deficiencies that intervention at the high school (Credit Recovery) has not solved. There may be a work situation that
requires school day flexibility or the student may have personal issues
that interfere with the demands of a traditional high school
environment. |
| Entrance into Excel |
A referral to Excel Academy can
take place in a number of ways. A teacher may identify a student in
his/her classroom that could benefit from a more non-traditional
curriculum. A counselor may know of a student in a difficult family or
socioeconomic situation that requires the flexibility of the Excel school day. The administrative team at the high school may see a
student who struggles with the stress of a large campus resulting in
minor discipline problems that would be solved with a smaller
environment. Finally, a parent or a student many initiate the process
if extenuating circumstances are preventing the student from
academically succeeding in a traditional setting.
Students complete an application that includes a
written statement detailing why he/she should be given consideration for
placement at Excel. A screening committee composed of those
professionals involved in the placement reviews the application and a
recommendation is then submitted to the high school principal for final
approval.
Excel may accommodate up to 40 students. Academic
goals, progress, and expectations are reviewed weekly and if these are
not being met, the student is subject to dismissal. In addition,
students must apply for re-admission annually. |
| Other Requirements |
| The curriculum is based on the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills and the five End of Course (STARR) exams must be passed.
Graduation is based on the state required Foundation Program or Foundation Program with Endorsements. |
| |