Small Learning Communities at Casa Grande High School
Goals of our Small Learning Communities
Freshman (9th grade) and Sophomore (10th grade) Houses
The 9th grade and 10th grade are organized into Small Learning Communities (SLCs) called Houses. The Houses consist of no more than 120-200 students who share common teachers for English, physical science and math in 9th grade. In the 10th grade, students share common English, biology and world history teachers. The purpose of Houses is to increase student achievement and to help students feel more connected to each other, to their teachers and to the school. The Houses give students and teachers an opportunity to create strong relationships by clustering smaller groups of students with a core group of teachers.
The Houses provide all the advantages of a large high school such as numerous elective choices, strong arts and athletic programs, college-preparatory coursework and a diverse student and teacher population while benefiting from some of the advantages that come with smaller schools. Research and experience show that students who attend schools with SLCs and have higher attendance rates, higher graduation rates, lower drop-out rates, increased parent involvement, increased student participation in extra curricular activities, and increased school safety, thus higher achievement. Students who have strong relationships with adults and whose learning is rigorous and relevant do better in school. Also, teachers have a greater opportunity to discuss students' progress as a Small Learning Community and are more aware of their students' needs.
Freshman year is a pivotal one. Student s who make a successful transition to high school have a greater opportunity for a successful high school experience and thus are more likely to be successful in post secondary education of any type. We believe that developing stronger connections to school and staff through freshman houses help students experience greater success both in high school and later in life.
Junior (11 grade) and senior (12th grade) Clusters
For the 11th and 12th grade, Casa Grande is organized into Small Learning Communities (SLCs) called Clusters. Similar to our 9th and 10th grade Houses, students in each Cluster benefit from teacher teams made up of core and elective course instructors. Cluster teachers work together to design and deliver engaging interdisciplinary curriculum tied to one of fours areas of focus. Clusters provide an opportunity for students to choose and area of interest where the core classes in English and social studies incorporate real-world applications, promote critical thinking, and problem solving. The electives in each Cluster serve to add further depth and relevance to the curriculum.
Technological advances, global-economic competition, and social, political and environmental transformation have expanded the needs of students as they prepare for 21st century challenges. Our world today requires that its people have increased knowledge, skills, flexibility, as well as global and civic awareness. To better prepare young people for their future, Casa Grande high school is working to help students succeed in challenging subjects by providing more relevant contexts for their learning.
Casa's 11th and 12th grade SLC Cluster's prepare students with knowledge and skills to succeed in specified college and career fields, including International Careers, Health Careers, Liberal Arts and Media, Marketing and Management.
For more information on each individual cluster please click on the link below:
International House
Health Career Pathway
Social Justice Academy
Marketing Media & Management
- Improve Student Achievement
- Prepare Every Student for College and Career Opportunities
- Personalize the Educational Experience
Freshman (9th grade) and Sophomore (10th grade) Houses
The 9th grade and 10th grade are organized into Small Learning Communities (SLCs) called Houses. The Houses consist of no more than 120-200 students who share common teachers for English, physical science and math in 9th grade. In the 10th grade, students share common English, biology and world history teachers. The purpose of Houses is to increase student achievement and to help students feel more connected to each other, to their teachers and to the school. The Houses give students and teachers an opportunity to create strong relationships by clustering smaller groups of students with a core group of teachers.
The Houses provide all the advantages of a large high school such as numerous elective choices, strong arts and athletic programs, college-preparatory coursework and a diverse student and teacher population while benefiting from some of the advantages that come with smaller schools. Research and experience show that students who attend schools with SLCs and have higher attendance rates, higher graduation rates, lower drop-out rates, increased parent involvement, increased student participation in extra curricular activities, and increased school safety, thus higher achievement. Students who have strong relationships with adults and whose learning is rigorous and relevant do better in school. Also, teachers have a greater opportunity to discuss students' progress as a Small Learning Community and are more aware of their students' needs.
Freshman year is a pivotal one. Student s who make a successful transition to high school have a greater opportunity for a successful high school experience and thus are more likely to be successful in post secondary education of any type. We believe that developing stronger connections to school and staff through freshman houses help students experience greater success both in high school and later in life.
Junior (11 grade) and senior (12th grade) Clusters
For the 11th and 12th grade, Casa Grande is organized into Small Learning Communities (SLCs) called Clusters. Similar to our 9th and 10th grade Houses, students in each Cluster benefit from teacher teams made up of core and elective course instructors. Cluster teachers work together to design and deliver engaging interdisciplinary curriculum tied to one of fours areas of focus. Clusters provide an opportunity for students to choose and area of interest where the core classes in English and social studies incorporate real-world applications, promote critical thinking, and problem solving. The electives in each Cluster serve to add further depth and relevance to the curriculum.
Technological advances, global-economic competition, and social, political and environmental transformation have expanded the needs of students as they prepare for 21st century challenges. Our world today requires that its people have increased knowledge, skills, flexibility, as well as global and civic awareness. To better prepare young people for their future, Casa Grande high school is working to help students succeed in challenging subjects by providing more relevant contexts for their learning.
Casa's 11th and 12th grade SLC Cluster's prepare students with knowledge and skills to succeed in specified college and career fields, including International Careers, Health Careers, Liberal Arts and Media, Marketing and Management.
For more information on each individual cluster please click on the link below:
International House
Health Career Pathway
Social Justice Academy
Marketing Media & Management