Achievement and School Learning Plan
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
The Adult High School follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policies and Procedures for Student Evaluation, available on the Board's web site. All new students are placed in courses, based on prerequisites or the results of in-school entry assessments, in order to ensure that students take courses in which they will be successful. AHS is one of the largest feeder high schools to Algonquin College.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
Adult High School has targeted three initiatives for school improvement:
Numeracy and Literacy/ELL Learners
- Support Services for Student Learning and Success
- Strengthening Academic and Community ties
Numeracy and Literacy
Success for all students is our number one goal. With this in mind, we need to ensure that students are placed in the correct grade and level for their personalized educational programs. As a result, new students may be tested upon entry to AHS. Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum and Literacy for our ELL readers are of particular importance to our School Improvement Plan. In addition, examination results are reviewed annually to help plan for future directions.
Support Services for Student Learning and Success
Through Assisted technology, ELL classroom support and Healthy lifestyle initiatives, Adult High School aims to ensure students have a complete network of useable tools from which to draw upon throughout their educational careers and working lives. Our goal is to implement STEP assessments in ESL courses to track student achievement.
Strengthening Academic and Community Ties
Our school produces the highest number of Algonquin College entrants of any school in the Board.
Our Multi-Cultural Officer (MLO) links us to the services of cross-cultural counselling, newcomer settlement assistance, parent advocacy, staff professional development opportunities, and numerous agencies in the community.
We will continue to develop our student support programs and OCDSB links that assist our students and staff through District-Wide Exams in both English and Math. Cross-curricular literacy and numeracy enhancement will continue to link us with postsecondary institutions and our world of work.
We are proud of our working relationships with Ontario Works, Employment Ontario, Ottawa Housing, Youth Services Bureau, Rideauwood and various Settlement and Integration agencies.
Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
In addition to informal recognition on a regular basis, we also acknowledge students' contributions in our classrooms, through school announcements, at assemblies, and at our end-of-year awards ceremonies. As well, we recognize student leadership by incorporating their suggestions into our overall planning through Principal's Forum which reflects our SIPSA. This is reflected in our school activities and fund-raisers for the Ottawa Food Bank, Snow Suit Fund and Ottawa Mission. Their efforts have created our Breakfast Program which involves students working with teachers to provide nutritious breakfasts each school day. Teachers and students are actively involved in the school's “Retro Room” where students can shop free of charge for clothing that has been donated by our community. Students are also recognized for their successes and good citizenship through our informal “Let's Lunch Together” initiative. We take every opportunity to celebrate and congratulate!
Staff
Our staff, both teaching and non-teaching have a wealth of experience and expertise that provide our student population with both formal and informal leadership and mentorship. Adult high School is supported by outside staff resources i.e. Rideauwood, Ottawa Public Health, MLO.
Our staff members possess professional qualifications including post-graduate degrees, as well as additional qualifications in Special Education, English as a Second Language, Visual Arts, Guidance, and Computers in Education.
They have actively participated in numerous Board-wide professional development activities in literacy and numeracy, and we recognize their initiatives by providing and supporting opportunities for further professional growth. We also recognize staff leadership via personal interactions with one another, letters of thanks, school announcements, assemblies, and performance appraisals. Our staff is actively involved in mentoring student teachers from the University of Ottawa. We are truly an active professional learning community.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Our Adult High School community has a culture of giving and sharing. Last year our initiatives included fund raising for the Snow Suit Fund. We are very fortunate to receive a number of community volunteers through the Ottawa Network for Education. They give generously of their time throughout the year working in classes and inpidually with students. Student and teacher volunteers provide food from our school's Food Cupboard and clothing from our Retro-Room. As invaluable partners, we thank all of our volunteers on an on-going basis; we acknowledge their contributions through school announcements, newsletters, community bulletins, and at our annual volunteer appreciation reception.
Community
Over the years, Adult High School and our local community have worked together to improve the well-being and safety of our students. As an example, we partner with Somerset West Community Health Center to offer extended outreach resources to our students. We recognize our community partners through our school announcements, newsletters, school web site, personal correspondence and special events. They often participate in our outreach activities and our Professional Activity days.