Highland Tech High School
| Highland Academy Charter School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
  Highland Academy Charter School | |
|
5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. #1 Anchorage, Alaska 99504 United States | |
| Coordinates | 61°11′38″N 149°46′33″W / 61.1939°N 149.7758°WCoordinates: 61°11′38″N 149°46′33″W / 61.1939°N 149.7758°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Charter School |
| Motto | Educating for Leadership, Educating for Life. |
| Established | 2003 |
| School district | Anchorage School District |
| Principal | Michael Shapiro |
| Faculty | 18 |
| Grades | 6-12 |
| Enrollment | 224 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 12:1 |
| Campus type | Secondary |
| Color(s) | Green and silver |
| Mascot | Phoenix |
| Information | 907-742-1700 |
| Website | www.highlandtechhigh.org |
Highland Academy Charter School is a standards based school in Anchorage, Alaska in the Anchorage School District. It is a charter school whose focus is a learning approach in which all students must demonstrate proficiency in a selection of standards. It was the first standards based school in the Anchorage School District (ASD) and had its first graduating class on May 31, 2006. Highland Tech is a member of the Reinventing Schools Coalition, which is a division of Marzano Research Laboratory. Highland Tech draws its student population from all over the municipality of Anchorage. The curriculum attempts to holistically support a more modern approach to learning, incorporating standards in career development and technology, as well as social, public service, and personal learning. All students are part of an advisory team where academic coaching, goal setting, team building, and parent connections are focused. Highland Academy was formally known as Highland Tech High and Highland Tech Charter School.
ILP Forms and C.O.R.E.
Students have the opportunity to fill out an "Individual Learning Plan," or "ILP," so they can show progress on standards they missed or standards they would like to address independently. The student may choose one or more standards and create an activity or project that addresses these standards. The process is designed to allow flexibility in the learning environment to support anytime, anywhere learning opportunities for students.
Highland's model for mutual respect is called C.O.R.E. (Culture of Respect for Everyone). The model is designed to engage all stakeholders in an environment of respect. This includes teachers, parents, students, and administrators. To reinforce a culture of respect, Highland uses a conflict resolution tool (the C.O.R.E. form), which encourages both parties to provide their perspective. Highland Tech also celebrates respect on a regular basis through the SuperCORE process.
Staff
Current Administration[1]
- Michael Shapiro (Principal)
- Ayme Johnson (Assistant Principal)
Former Principals and Assistant Principals
- CJ Stiegele (founder)
- Mark Standley
- Rebecca Midles
- Ginger Blackmon
- Laura Hilger
Graduation rates
Highland Tech High School is known for having an abysmal on-time graduation rate. The graduation rate during the 2013-2014 school year was an unusually high 34.5%. Even compared to the state's depressing 69.4%, this is quite low. In previous years, it has been below 20%.[2]