Charter High School - Our Approach

Our Approach:
High School

At Success Academy High Schools of the Liberal Arts, scholars encounter sophisticated, collegiate-style academics, discover and develop talents, and forge close bonds with peers and faculty as they grow into informed, thoughtful citizens. Our goal is to prepare scholars to graduate from college in four years and pursue a life of opportunity and personal fulfillment. Every aspect of our high school model is designed to cultivate the skills, mindsets, and knowledge our scholars need to successfully navigate the demands of college, citizenship, and professional life.

Explore our revolutionary high school design — virtually!

Learn more about our approach to high school and explore our academic core components — essentials for excellence.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL

A Day in the Life

Before classes begin, scholars convene at “basecamps” where they watch the scholar-produced news show The Hawk Eye TV and orient themselves to scale to new heights in the day ahead.
A Day in the Life

Our sports and fitness program consists of competitive sports, athletic clubs, core courses, and health-related classes.
A Day in the Life

Our math curriculum emphasizes the use of logic and reasoning to demonstrate problem-solving as a method of inquiry and investigation. Geometry, Algebra II, Statistics, and Calculus make up the core courses; functions, history of math, and 3-D modeling are some electives.
A Day in the Life

Rigorous courses focus on close analyses of key works of poetry and prose from the canon. Rich, text-based writing requirements reinforce formal training in grammar, syntax, and style, with an emphasis on revision and self-editing.
A Day in the Life

Scholars can choose between three discipline-specific engineering sequences: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Biomedical, and Mechanical. Each program balances theoretical and lab experiences that culminate with scholars building integrated solutions to relevant problems they feel compelled to solve.
A Day in the Life

Scholars have three periods of 60 minutes each week to meet with teachers for academic support, work on homework or research projects, and spend time on creative and athletic pursuits.
A Day in the Life

Scholars take three non-academic electives per semester to foster creativity and investment in passions. These include debate, photography, painting, portraiture, chess, theater, hip-hop, and music theory. We also offer a range of athletic electives for scholars to hone their skills, including basketball and track. Finally, we have soccer, basketball, track, and volleyball teams.
A Day in the Life

The history program is set apart by an emphasis on inquiry, historiography, and sustained research that most students do not encounter until college. Our curriculum features a global approach that delves deep into the context and social import of history, sharpening critical analysis and expository writing skills.
A Day in the Life

Daily, inquiry-based science is integral to our curriculum. Scholars gain a deep understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology while practicing objective analysis and the scientific skills they need as they observe the natural world. Our ultimate goal is to prepare every scholar for collegiate STEM classes and to spark a passion for the subject; we want scholars to feel equipped to pursue a STEM major in college if they so choose.
A Day in the Life

Since their earliest school days, Success scholars have luxuriated in frequent, long reading sessions. This tradition continues with independent reading being a core value at the High School.
A Day in the Life

All scholars are required to take fine arts classes, learning both theory and practical techniques for self-expression on the canvas, the stage, and in the music room. Our campus offers state-of-the-art spaces for practicing and performing, including two state-of-the art dance studios.
A Day in the Life

Scholars benefit from enriching field studies, challenging internships, and summer programs that prepare them for life after high school while exposing them to new perspectives and challenges. After school, scholars participate in clubs and teams, rehearsing for musicals, talking policy at a debate meeting, practicing for a competitive basketball tournament, or designing the layout for the literary magazine.

Intellectual engagement at the highest levels

Our advanced liberal arts curriculum prioritizes student-led inquiry and cross-disciplinary perspectives, preparing scholars for the demands they will encounter at selective colleges and in the workforce. Tracing the course of human history, we expose scholars to thinkers, texts, and artifacts across the humanities and place special emphasis on science, mathematics, and engineering.

Scholars critically analyze and interpret seminal texts; grow into accomplished writers and researchers; and hone their public speaking skills. All our courses have all been calibrated to match collegiate expectations, tasks, and grading standards and culminate in a high-stakes exam demonstrating college-level proficiency. The work is extremely challenging, but teachers are always available for individualized support.

Our advanced liberal arts curriculum prioritizes student-led inquiry and cross-disciplinary perspectives, preparing scholars for the demands they will encounter at selective colleges and in the workforce. Tracing the course of human history, we expose scholars to thinkers, texts, and artifacts across the humanities and place special emphasis on science, mathematics, and engineering. Scholars critically analyze and interpret seminal texts; grow into accomplished writers and researchers; and hone their public speaking skills. All our courses have all been calibrated to match collegiate expectations, tasks, and grading standards and culminate in a high-stakes exam demonstrating college-level proficiency. The work is extremely challenging, but teachers are always available for individualized support.

STEM + STEM Academy

Our specialized STEM program prepares scholars for undergraduate STEM majors, ensuring they master flexible thinking and essential knowledge across a range of advanced courses. The math sequence emphasizes conceptual understanding and applied problem solving in geometry, statistics, precalculus, and calculus. Select scholars can enroll in STEM Academy, taking additional engineering classes such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. Underclassmen take the SAT II Biology subject test, while upperclassmen take either the AP Biology exam or the AP Physics exam.

Humanities

Scholars take multiple high-stakes tests in humanities, including AP Literature, AP World History, and AP Microeconomics. Our history program emphasizes inquiry, historiography, and sustained research at levels normally not encountered until college. All scholars take full-year literature and writing seminars, mastering the literary analysis essay. Underclassmen enjoy survey courses, engaging in close analysis that situates texts within the literary canon and broader historical context. Older scholars choose among courses focused on specific themes, literary movements, and time periods.
Enriching experiences that enhance learning

We believe experiential learning is invaluable for developing resourceful, confident and capable students. Our schools nurture the creative interests and special talents of scholars, and we regard electives, internships, sports, clubs, and summer programs as vital to the high school curriculum. Whether combining creativity

with engineering skills in robotics, or training diligently for the nation’s largest track and field event, scholars are invested in their pursuits. We support them by providing high-level elective courses, truly excellent faculty, and sophisticated enrichment activities, including Broadway plays, trips to world-class museums, and travel to events in cities across the U.S.

We believe experiential learning is invaluable for developing resourceful, confident and capable students. Our schools nurture the creative interests and special talents of scholars, and we regard electives, internships, sports, clubs, and summer programs as vital to the high school curriculum. Whether combining creativity with engineering skills in robotics, or training diligently for the nation’s largest track and field event, scholars are invested in their pursuits. We support them by providing high-level elective courses, truly excellent faculty, and sophisticated enrichment activities, including Broadway plays, trips to world-class museums, and travel to events in cities across the U.S.

Electives

Scholars take 2-3 electives each semester, selecting from visual arts, performing arts, sports and fitness, computer science, psychology, sociology, poetry, and more. Our campuses offer state-of-the-art spaces for practicing and performing, including a new 1,000-square-foot dance studio opening Fall 2018. Scholars must complete at least three credit hours of fine arts, choosing from painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture, among other options. Our sports and fitness program consists of competitive sports, core courses, and health-related classes.

Clubs + Teams

Scholars can explore new interests and feed their passions by participating in one of the many clubs or teams on offer. Clubs meet before and after school, and scholars who join a team commit substantial time to training and competitions at both regional and national tournaments. There are more than a dozen clubs — and eligible scholars can form their own — including Yearbook, Theater Production, Music Honor Society, Gay-Straight Alliance, and Acapella Group. Teams include Varsity Basketball, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Track and Field, Chess, Dance, and Debate.

Internships + Summer Programs

We work with businesses, museums, institutions of higher education, civic institutions, universities, and research institutes to identify meaningful internships where scholars can participate, develop their talents, and gain key insights outside of the classroom. Past internships have included stints at Merrill Lynch, Sotheby’s, and 300 Entertainment. We also help scholars apply to exceptional summer programs. Pre-college academic programs are particularly popular — most of our seniors have spent at least one summer on a college campus. Other summer experiences include sports camps, dance workshops, trips abroad, and theater programs.
On the path to, and through, college

We have created a school design and infrastructure aimed at helping all our scholars gain college admission — and succeed once they arrive on campus. Our college advisors identify colleges that are strong matches and that will offer robust financial aid. We advise on the application and financial aid processes and provide

comprehensive preparation for the PSAT, SAT, SAT II and AP exams. At the same time, we’re completely focused on cultivating the attributes and mindsets of successful college completers. Our scholars encounter many opportunities to build independence, practice perseverance, apply feedback, and enjoy choice in all aspects of our academic model.

We have created a school design and infrastructure aimed at helping all our scholars gain college admission — and succeed once they arrive on campus. Our college advisors identify colleges that are strong matches and that will offer robust financial aid. We advise on the application and financial aid processes and provide comprehensive preparation for the PSAT, SAT, SAT II and AP exams. At the same time, we’re completely focused on cultivating the attributes and mindsets of successful college completers. Our scholars encounter many opportunities to build independence, practice perseverance, apply feedback, and enjoy choice in all aspects of our academic model.

Preparing for College Persistence

Every grade has a dedicated Dean who helps scholars develop strong moral compasses as well as crucial life habits such as time- and task-management, goal-setting, calendaring, and self advocacy. Deans gain an in-depth understand of scholars’ strengths and areas for growth in academic and non-academic settings. With a focus on college persistence, Deans help seniors understand essentials for living independently on campus, such as financial literacy, accessing campus resources, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

College Counseling

Our college counseling program provides comprehensive support in the complex college application process. Counselors partner with scholars and families to help identify the best colleges where financial support is available, complete financial aid forms, and help scholars showcase their achievements in compelling applications. Counselors begin working with scholars in grade 9, ensuring they know early on what it takes to get into top universities and helping them craft action plans to get there.

Integrated Test Prep

Our high schools provide comprehensive preparation for the PSAT, SAT I and SAT II, and AP exams. Building this essential prep into the schedule means that scholars don’t need to seek out costly external tutoring. To graduate, scholars must pass AP exams and take the SAT test, as well as SAT II subject tests.

Dive into our high school curriculum guide
to get a deeper understanding of our approach.

Learn More

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

We Promise To:

Instill in scholars not just the curiosity and work ethic required to enrich their minds, but the independence and agency needed to succeed in college and beyond.
Ensure a balanced community, one that matches the ambitious goals of our curriculum with a small-school feel.
Provide a culture of high standards and personal responsibility that complements the deep, rigorous learning present in our classrooms.
Never compromise our mission to deliver an education that endures. Our philosophy isn’t about the short-term or the easy way — it’s about the difficult and necessary steps to achieving daily mastery and self-motivated inquiry.

We Expect Parents and Guardians to:

Encourage the hard work, discipline, and focus young people need to fully reap the rewards of their education.
Engage with the community. Strong school culture is a touchstone of our program, and parent involvement is critical in making co-curricular and community service events exceed expectations.
Support scholars’ interests and ambitions. We equip scholars with the tools to realize their own goals, not just the ones dictated by our curriculum.
Understand the process. The Success Academy program emphasizes how to learn as much as the learning itself, and therefore stresses mindset and attitude as much as preparation and practice. We want our scholars to see education as not a chore but a responsibility.

Stay in Touch!

Register

Our Approach: High School

Intellectual engagement at the highest levels

Enriching experiences that enhance learning

On the path to, and through, college