Curriculum

Smaller Learning Communities: A Collegiate Teams Approach

CSUSA plans to adopt the academy model of small learning communities for Emmerich Manual High School. While the Freshman Academy bridges the gap between middle school preparation and high school expectations, the College- and Career-Prep Academies prepare students for their post-secondary choices.

Partnering with area universities and colleges for dual-credit options to partnering with area businesses for Career and Technology Education pursuits, these academies will allow students to attain an 8-credit major in one selected strand. The all-new Agricultural Sciences Program will offer benefits such as advanced preparation for post-secondary schooling, scholarships, and readiness for jobs that are already in high demand.

Another Academy option is the ACE (Academic and Career Excellence) Academy. This Academy option provides students with courses that combine academics and experience, particularly in the areas of Business, Technology, Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Selected students from the ACE Academy will have the opportunity to complete an Executive Internship and capstone project during their senior year.

Within the CAPS (Cambridge Advanced Program of Studies) Academy, students can earn the prestigious AICE (Advanced International Certificate in Education) Diploma, completing up to 45 college credits while still in high school! CSUSA has earned the distinction of being a Cambridge School Group and the students at EMHS will benefit from this relationship by becoming registered as a Cambridge International School. The CAPS is an internationally-recognized, pre-university curriculum which offers rigorous dual-credit courses in dozens of subject areas.

Freshman Success Program and Course

Research demonstrates that the transition from middle school to high school is a key time in a student’s academic experience; excellence attained during this crucial time will provide the best results for college, career, and beyond.

We have designed our Freshman Academy to offer support on many levels:

All EMHS freshmen will be part of the Freshman Academy, with one designated Assistant Principal, one Guidance Counselor, and a core group of teachers. Each faculty member at EMHS is assigned a small group of freshmen in an advisor/advisee program as well.
All EMHS freshmen take their core classes with Freshman Academy-trained teachers who will focus on teaming, building community, and constant goal-setting in both academic and personal areas.
All EMHS Freshmen will be enrolled in a Freshman Success course. The syllabus for this course will include: study skills, organization, technology, personal development, college and career research, personal finance awareness, local and global cultural awareness, public speaking, critical thinking, and becoming an engaged citizen of our community.

The Freshman Success course is Project-Based and students will complete the course with:

A Personal Mission Statement
A College/Career Research Project
A Role Model Research Project
A Personal Finance Project

All students in the Freshman Academy receive a FREE copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey AND a FREE copy of the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program.