North Hills Preparatory School emphasizes an educational program that provides a challenging, coherent, and relevant curriculum for a heterogeneous population. The school's academic departments develop intra-departmental instruction while working together to ensure that students see the interconnection of educational fields. In all subject areas (Math and Sciences, Humanities, English, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, History, and Social Studies), students are instructed in a manner that builds responsible problem solvers, individuals who honor diversity and embrace the totality of learning. We also emphasize the importance of utilizing current technologies as an integrated component to our curricular requirements.

Addressing WASC Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

Students will use complex and critical thinking skills to evaluate data, formulate opinions based on experience and research, and solve problems. The opportunity to engage in responsible problem solving (ESLR I) is provided to students through various avenues. A goal of the faculty and staff is to assist our students in taking responsibility for their actions and experiencing personal growth. Students are encouraged to set reasonable goals and then follow through with the actions that will allow them to achieve their objectives. For some of our students, their primary academic goal is to complete the courses, and earn the credits, required for a high school diploma; for many others, there is a strong desire to prepare for either a two-year or four-year college program. NHP administration, faculty and counseling staff meet on a regular basis to ensure communication on important issues and developments that impact our students' lives.

Through study, research, discussion, and debate, students will formulate defensible opinions on how we, as individuals and as a community, fit responsibly into the world order. North Hills Prep recognizes that what students learn affects their perspective of the world around them (ESLR II). In any adolescent population, there is a great difference in the rate of academic and social growth. In addition to the expected range, many of our students also have specific educational, social, and emotional needs that need to be addressed by the staff. The administration and faculty honor this great diversity of academic and emotional needs by providing a variety of alternative assessments. Within the structure of the class, lessons are taught in a manner that respect interesting and novel opinions and solutions. Each student is encouraged to work to the best of their ability and to be respectful of the level and progress of others.

In the classroom, students are exposed to varied opinions and perspectives on literature, art, science, math and history. Outside the classroom, students participate in campus-wide "teach-ins." North Hills Prep has sponsored a "Days of Dialogue" workshop series in which volunteers, made up of dispute resolution counselors, arbitrators, and social workers, create dialogue and work towards community unity. Students and faculty are divided into ten-to-twelve person workshops where topics like homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism, and sexual harassment are discussed. Another program is our school-wide Multi-Cultural Day in which classes research a particular culture for a month and a day is devoted to introducing these cultures to the community in order to enhance our awareness about the world outside of NHP.

Through study and identification, students will have an awareness and appreciation for the integrated nature of learning. North Hills Prep strives to help students learn to be open to new information and opinions of others, think independently and creatively, and develop perseverance and participation (ESLR III). Cooperation between the Language Arts and Social Studies departments allows students to see the relationship between novels and historical events that form the basis for the plot and characters of the novel. A lecture on explores is improved by coupling it with an explanation of sailing. Math and science curriculums frequently overlap and provide opportunities of assessment that integrates math skills with science concepts. Consumer math is included in studies of economics and history. Asking students to calculate the percentage of Americans who were out of work during the depression reveals an important figure and requires students to work with percentages. English and science classes both develop units on the development of language so students can make the connection between our biological and artistic development.

Students will learn to incorporate current technology into curricular requirements (ESLR IV). In addition to developing video libraries for the English, History, and Science departments, North Hills Prep has invested its resources into a viable school computer system. Currently, the science curriculum is supported by online assessments that students can access either at home or in the school computer lab. A computer elective is offered to students, which provides additional opportunities for interaction with technology and its practical application to their everyday lives. The open format of the class allows students to either work on a teacher directed activity or use the technology and internet access to work on assignments for other academic classes. Computers are located in every classroom in order to ensure frequent student access. Our website offers both parents and students the opportunity to check their assignments and access current happenings in the NHP community.

Career and Transition Counseling

The Career and Transition Counselor will facilitate school-wide assessments of students to determine career interests and abilities. In addition, the teaching staff will be provided with vocational materials to insure ongoing instruction in this area. Each student will be met with individually to discuss realistic occupational options, given their interests and skills. Through this meeting, a plan will be developed to assist them in meeting their goals. Opportunities for off-campus vocational classes and work experiences, which provide job referrals, will be given to the student and their family.

SAT Scores

In the past year eleven students have participated in the College Board SAT Assessment for college entrance. The average score is an 1141. The average verbal score is 559 and the average math score is 582. These scores are something for us all to be proud of. Two students participated in the SAT II Achievement Tests. The average written score was a 480 and the average math score was a 550. Each student is required to take a third achievement test and the average of that test was a 490.