2019–2020 School Accountability Report Card

MISSION STATEMENT:
Helix Charter High School provides a comprehensive education that prepares all students to graduate college-ready and equipped to reach their personal and academic potential.

VISION STATEMENT:
In a college preparatory environment, Helix Charter High School strives to close the achievement gap through effective collaboration and innovative practices.

MAIN PURPOSE:
At Helix Charter High School, our Main Purpose is to provide students with powerful learning experiences that help them gain the knowledge, skills, and insights that enable our students to make connections that transform their relationship to self, others, and the world.

CORE BELIEFS:
1. We believe that all students can learn and become contributing members of society.
2. We value each student as an individual and therefore create curriculum, instructional activities, assessments, and feedback systems focused on providing learning opportunities that enable students to achieve success.
3. We value the diverse ideas, values, and cultures that enrich our school system.
4. We value a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes student achievement.
5. We believe that the allocation of our resources should be aligned with our mission and vision in order to maximize the opportunity for students to learn and experience success in school.
6. We believe that the success of our school depends on the commitment of all staff (administrators, teachers, and support staff) to high quality standards, expectations, and performances.
7. We believe that students need to not only develop a deep understanding of essential knowledge and skills, but also need to develop the capacity to apply their learning, reason, solve problems, and produce quality work.
8. We believe effective collaboration and communication with families as partners in the education of their students is essential to the success of our school.
9. We value a comprehensive education that provides students with multiple opportunities and connections to build relationships and engage with their school.

THE ”HIGHLANDER WAY”
As a charter school, Helix has implemented processes and programs that are designed to serve our students well. Through years of evaluation and development, the following features have proven to be integral to Helix’s success.

GRADE LEVEL TEAMS (GLTs):
The network of support for Helix students is divided into four grade level teams, each consisting of a Grade Level Principal, Counselor, Academic Advisor, Team Secretary, and an Attendance Clerk and Social Worker work with each GLT. Students remain with the same team all four years of their high school career; therefore, the bond between the student, parent and school is strengthened. These teams assist in designing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating the grade-level specific academic, career, and social/personal support that the students receive each year.

COURSE LEVEL TEAMS (CLTs):
Instead of working in isolation, teams of teachers collaborate on the curriculum and instruction of their courses. The CLTs develop common formative and summative assessments that validate the teaching and learning of the state standards in all courses. Also, the CLTs are charged with monitoring the success of students in their courses and developing individual teacher and course-level remediation strategies for all struggling students. The effective collaboration of CLTs ensures that powerful teaching and learning occur in our courses, which provides equitable opportunity for all students to succeed.

SUMMER CONFERENCING:
During the summer, each student attends an individual student/family Summer Conferencing Appointment to review academic progress toward graduation and to make an appropriate schedule for the following school year. Schedules are customized to the needs and goals of each student.

ADVISORY:
During their freshman year, students are assigned to a teacher to serve as their advisor for their high school career. The Advisory groups meet each Wednesday during the school year. The Advisor’s role is to assist the students in directing their high school careers to attain their goals. The Advisor may also coordinate activities tailored to the students’ goals. Students remain with the same Advisor throughout their four years at Helix and each Advisor’s group of Advisees are from the same grade level.

COLLEGE ACCESS COUNSELOR:
Helix employs a full-time College Access Counselor who supervises programs intended to ensure students who wish to attend college meet the requirements to do so. Programs such as SPACE provide student support duing the summer following graduation to help complete any outstanding requirements to start classes in the fall. The Counselor also oversees Club College, which allows students to access help on applications, financial aid forms, and other necessary items. Helix reviews data collected through the Counselor for ongoing improvement in providing college access to students.

EXTENDED LEARNING (ExL):
This course allows 9th grade students to study and complete homework, research projects, and reading necessary for other classes under the supervision of an adult aide. Helix employs approximately 30-40 college-going or college-graduate Academic Coaches who work with the students. Students have the opportunity to practice a variety of learning skills that will be useful in all class settings. Students are expected to maintain a calendar or assignment sheet of all class work.

HELIX FIRST PROGRAM:
All 9th grade students are enrolled in this literacy improvement class. The class is designed to strengthen the college-going environment on campus; to provide students opportunities for involvement; and, in the long-term, to increase the number of students who graduate from college

TUTORIALS:
There are many opportunities for students to receive additional academic support for their classes. First, each Tuesday and Wednesday, teachers are available to provide individual attention to students needing assistance in any aspect of their coursework. Students can also use the tutorial period to make up exams or missed days in Physical Education classes. Next, each of the departments provides tutorial periods on designated days after school. Upper Grade Tutorial is offered one period per day and is available to all 10-12 graders. It is required for students who are struggling academically. Finally, the library remains open as late as 4:30 pm for students’ use and the Computer Lab is available after school.

ASPIRE PROGRAM:
Using grant funds, Helix has provided an after school program for the past 12 years. This program provides opportunities for both academic and enrichment activities, overseen by Helix staff. The offerings change on a quarterly basis and vary from activities such as slam poetry and the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) club, to academic support in all core areas.