Highland Tech High School

Highland Tech Charter School is a standards based school in Anchorage, Alaska in the Anchorage School District. It is a charter school dedicated to a mastery learning approach in which all students must demonstrate proficiency in all learning standards. It was the first standards based school in the Anchorage School District (ASD) and had its first graduating class on May 31, 2006. Highland Tech is a member of the Reinventing Schools Coalition, which is a division of Marzano Research Laboratory. Highland Tech draws its student population from all over the municipality of Anchorage. The curriculum holistically supports the 21st century learner through Careers and Technology standards, as well as Social-Emotional Learning through Personal, Social, and Service standards. All students are part of an advisory team where academic coaching, goal setting, social-emotional learning, team building, and parent connections are the focus.

ILP Forms and C.O.R.E.

Students have the opportunity to fill out an "Individual Learning Plan," or "ILP," so they can show progress on standards they missed or standards they would like to address independently. The student may choose a standard or standard(s) and create an activity or project that addresses the standard(s). The process is designed to allow flexibility in the learning environment to support anytime, anywhere learning opportunities for students. Highland's model for mutual respect is called C.O.R.E. (Culture of Respect for Everyone). The model is designed to engage all stakeholders in an environment of respect. This includes teachers, parents, students, and administrators. To reinforce a culture of respect, Highland uses a conflict resolution tool (the C.O.R.E. form), which encourages both parties to provide their perspective. Highland Tech also celebrates respect on a regular basis through the SuperCORE process.

Staff

Current Administration^[1]

• Michael Shapiro (Principal)
• Ayme Johnson (Assistant Principal)

Former Principals and Assistant Principals

• CJ Stiegele (Founder)
• Mark Standley
• Rebecca Midles
• Ginger Blackmon
• Laura Hilger

Graduation Rates

Highland Tech High School is known to its students and peers for having an abysmal on-time graduation rate. The graduation rate during the 2013-2014 school year was an unusually high 34.5%. Even compared to the state's depressing 69.4%, this is quite low. In previous years, it has been below 20%.^[2]

References

External links

• Highland Tech Website
• RISC Website