Parents are an integral part of the CSSD experience. CSSD parents become very involved in the learning process by attending weekly and monthly meetings with the teachers in the Resource Center, monitoring their student’s daily and weekly progress at home, attending the annual fall Open House, and participating in the spring Senior Exit Orientation. CSSD collaborates with several community partners to ensure that any resource a parent or student may need to successfully meet their academic goals is available to them.
Why CSSD Could Be Right For Your Student
Supervised Independent Study: The Charter School of San Diego provides supportive, supervised independent study without tuition fees to students grades 6-12. Students at CSSD study one or two courses at a time and are expected to complete one course every three to four weeks. Students progress at an individual pace and receive tutoring or enrichment as needed. Students earn course credits and attendance by successfully completing lessons that demonstrate mastery of the state standards. CSSD’s implementation includes a successful model of collaborative learning, teaching across the curriculum, self-paced lessons, and year-round open enrollment based on a university model.
Personal Plan: Upon enrollment, a credentialed “On-Demand” Teacher is assigned to each student who, in collaboration with the student and parents, assesses the student’s current needs and goals and creates a plan for rapid advancement, focusing solely on one or two subjects at a time as needed by each student. A post-high school education or career (“Student Pathway”) recommendation is included in the plan.
On-Demand Teachers: Assigned to each student for a full year or more, the Teacher supervises all subjects studied and is personally held accountable to inspire and produce self-motivated, self-disciplined students who succeed not only academically, but also socially through teamwork and community service. As a result, On-Demand Teachers adjust assignments to align with the goals and interests of the student and also personally act as necessary to ensure achievement. For example, if a student is late to an appointment, teachers contact either the student or the parents within minutes to identify and address any needs and teach accountability.
Non-Campus Environment: Each Altus School provides a professional, quiet environment for learning. Resource Centers are located at major retail centers or office buildings throughout the county, and several include work-study employment opportunities.
Rigorous Standards: While students, parents, and On-Demand Teachers collaborate to decide how, what, when, and where the student studies and learns, each Altus School tracks and maintains rigorous standards. To obtain credit, C or better work is required and must be submitted on time. To advance a grade level, all work must be at grade level C or better. Students must also advance socially as well as academically. In addition, in order to graduate, the quality of team collaboration and communication skills must be at a C grade level or better and 120 hours of community service learning or work internship is also required.
The CSSD Difference
Altus Schools are unique because they transform students. Students become self-sustaining learners and employable, self-sufficent citizens. They are inspired to be self-motivated, self-disciplined, productive, and socially adept. If academically lagging, they rapidly catch up to grade level with at least a C and improved GPA. They achieve academic and social competence and graduate.
Parental Involvement
Academic preparation requires training, and teachers and parents are the coaches. This is how you can coach your student for academic success.
1. Set high expectations
Make sure that your child knows that it is important to you that they give school their best effort!
2. Talk about school everyday
Ask about school everyday. Talk to your child about what they are learning, their academic goals, and their progress.
3. Monitor school work and assignments
Check assignments everyday. Ask your child to see their course contracts, lesson guides, and calendars. Have your child explain their assignments to you and ask what they need in order to complete the assignments and get good grades. Communicate with your child’s teacher to get a list of assignment due dates and materials your child may need to complete assignments.
4. Make homework a daily habit
CSSD is an independent study program so time needs to be set aside for school work everyday. A daily homework routine will help your student to manage their time and their assignments.
5. Be aware of test-taking schedules and tutoring.
Make sure that you and your child know when tutoring is available for test preparation. Plan for transportation in advance for tutoring and testing days.
6. Stay in contact with the teacher
Attend all of your weekly conferences. If you are not able to meet with the teacher in person, make arrangements for a phone call. Conferences will give you specific information on how your student is doing in his/her coursework, attendance, behavior updates, and upcoming school events. This is also an important part of holding your student accountable for progress towards their academic goals.
7. Encourage your child to READ, READ, READ
No single activity is linked to academic success as much as reading. Students should read at home every day. It is a good idea to find reading material that relates to your child’s interests. Ask your child’s teacher about materials that your child may enjoy at home.
Mejorando Desempeño Académico– Que Puede Hacer Usted Como Padre
La preparación académica requiere entrenamiento, los maestros y padres son los entrenadores. ¡Esto es cómo usted puede entrenar a su estudiante para el éxito académico!
1. Ponga expectativas altas
¡Asegúrese que su hijo(a) sepa que es importante para usted que ellos den a sus estudios su mejor esfuerzo!
2. Hable sobre la escuela todos los dias
Diaro pregunte sobre la escuela. Hable con su hijo(a) sobre lo que ellos aprenden, sus metas académicas, y su progreso.
3. Supervise trabajo escolar y tarea
Revise las tareas todos los días! Pídale a su hijo(a) a ver a sus contratos de curso, guías de clase, y los calendarios de clase. Pídale a su hijo(a) que le explique su tarea y le pida a usted lo que necesita para completar las tareas y obtener buenas calificaciones.Comuníquese con el maestro(a) de su hijo(a) para obtener una lista de fechas de vencimiento de tareas y los materiales que su hijo(a) puede necesitar para completar las tareas.
4. Haga la tarea un hábito diario
CSSD es un programa de estudio independiente entonces el tiempo tiene que ser reservado diaro para el trabajo escolar! ¡Una rutina diaria para hacer tarea ayudará a su estudiante a manejar su tiempo y sus asignaciones!
5. Esté consciente de horarios para exàmenes y talleres de preparación
Asegúrese que usted y su hijo(a) sepan cuando los talleres/tutoria están disponibles para la preparación de pruebas. Tenga plan para transporte de antemano para talleres y días de pruebas.
6. Manténgase en contacto con el profesor
Asista a todas sus conferencias semanales. Si usted no puede asistir a su conferencia en persona, haga preparativos para tener una conferencia telefónica. Las conferencias le darán la información específica sobre como su estudiante esta haciendo progreso en su clase, asistencia, comportamiento, y próximos acontecimientos escolares. ¡Esto también es una parte importante de sostener a su estudiante responsable del progreso hacia sus metas académicas!
7. Anime a su hijo(a) a LEER, LEER, LEER
Ninguna actividad esta vinculada al éxito académico tanto como la lectura. Los estudiantes deben de leer en casa diaro. Es recomendable de encontrar material de lectura que está relacionado con los intereses de su hijo(a). Pregunte al maestro(a) de su hijo(a) sobre materiales de los cuales su hijo(a) puede disfrutar en leer en casa.
If you need more information, or you can’t find the information you’re looking for, call CSSD at (858) 678-2020.