Juniors in BEST have three separate research projects that requireService Based Project Learning:
· What to Expect
Why I require Community
Service Learning as part of
the curriculum in my class
Why we ask you to write
20-25 page research papers for Junior
and Senior Projects
Why you must type all final
drafts of assignments for this class
A note to parents:
The Power of Suggestion
BEST staff and instructors tell our student that they “are going to college”-
often and se words that build the expectation that they will attend college,
earn scholarships, and find a major that allows them to use the gifts they have
been given to benefit others as well as themselves. The OUSD District
conviction that all students will be successful is especially true for BEST
students. We begin with our own expectation of student success.
For Parents and Seniors:
About our Senior Project Requirement:
BEST seniors in AP classes are required to exceed
the current District model for Senior Project. The length of their final
written research paper is expanded, includes requirements that all sources
are cited or footnoted, and the BEST dress code for final presentation is firm.
The expectation that our students will be prepared for college and career
through this comprehensive year-long project means that we will continually
seek ways to involve and engage parents through an open door policy.
.
Service Learning/ Community Service
Serving others is the key to true happiness. It also empowers students
to make powerful and positive changes in their community and beyond.
Require and encourage all students to engage in service learning or community
service projects. BEST students are required to perform at least 100 hours of
service before graduation. This requirement is also a Merit Award requirement.
Project based learning
Teaching students to engage in project based learning is critical
to preparing them for college level assignments. Currently both seniors
and juniors in BEST College Prep High School are required to engage
in comprehensive project based research.
Juniors in BEST have three separate research projects that require
them to exceed District standards critical listening, reading, writing,
and oral presentation of information.
The Elder Interview connects standards based research with values
clarification and a poignant understanding of our need to learn from
living role models. The final celebration for the Elder Interview is a
student written tribute to the elder they select to interview followed by
an oral presentation with elders in our community in attendance.
Juniors in BEST engage in a semester long College and Career
Search which involves researching one career path thoroughly
and researching colleges which offer this major. Students are required
to visit at least two local colleges, preferably overnight. They are given
an opportunity to “shadow” college students at U.C. Berkeley and to
experience college life through outreach program involvement.
Currently 100 % of our junior class has been enrolled in
umbrella outreach programs such as College Summit,
Upward Bound, EAOP, or College Track.
The Junior Portfolio requirements include: personal statement (general),
U.C. Berkeley personal statement, resume, mission statement, samples
of their best work including revision and test prep material.
All BEST juniors are required to take the SAT twice and U.C. Bound
juniors are required to take the SAT II.
The final BEST Junior project-driven study connects two core subjects-
History and English Language Arts.
Use of Technology in Project based learning is required in all disciplines.
