BELIEVE - High Schools Network

academics

Our broad liberal arts academic program is individualized to connect to each student’s particular level of development, including English Language Learners and students with Special Education Services. There are supportive relationships with faculty, extended instructional periods, and opportunities after-school and on Saturdays for additional academic support. The core requirements of 4 years of English, Math, Science, History and foreign language are structured to broaden students’ perspectives while remaining relevant:

English Language Arts

Students learn to examine literary themes and ideas, and explore literature through study of Shakespeare, British literature and American literature works such as Beowulf, Pride and Prejudice, Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Fences, The Crucible, and To Kill a Mockingbird. In the early grades, Greek and Roman myths and The Odyssey are also explored.

Math

Students are offered Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry and incoming students will begin the integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II sequence. We also provide interested students with AP Calculus in preparation for higher level math acquisition.

Science

The current offerings include Earth Science, Biology (Living Environment), Regents Chemistry, Regents Physics, AP Bio and Conceptual Physics. Students learn the basics of lab procedures, writing lab reports, and analyzing data, as well as logic, reasoning, and scientific observation.

History

Students study Global Studies and American History sequences in grades 9-11 with participation in Government and Economics during the 12th grade year. AP US History, and AP Government are also available.

Foreign Language

Latin is offered to help students focus on the classical world, and aid in the understanding of English and basic linguistic structure. Studying Latin translates into a larger vocabulary, higher reading scores, and better pronunciation. Latin improves skills in vocabulary, reasoning, communication, grammar, and comprehension since it focuses on grammar and word roots. Once students master the logic and consistent grammatical structure of Latin, they will more easily grasp the grammatical rules of English.

Special Education

Every student has the ability to learn, yet each student learns differently.  All special education students follow the New York mandated school curriculum requirements with the intended end goal of receiving a Regents diploma.  Our approach combines academic assessment, strategy, intervention and emotional support to accommodate the needs of students within the special education program.  All Believe schools offer a wide array of programs for students with special needs.  Students are collaboratively evaluated by the Committee of Special Education and Believe faculty/staff to assess current areas of difficulty and issue.  A thorough IEP is developed and managed for those needing services, including speech therapy.  Students may fit into various categories of special education services and their IEP programs are formatted to reflect individual needs.  Fulfilling educational requirements may include modifying classroom setup, testing accommodations, etc.

 

English Language Learners

Believe high schools provide a supportive environment for ESL students of all levels-beginning, intermediate and advanced.  Our students have the option of taking an ESL class as an English elective that provides a comprehensive study of the English language.  Additionally, all teachers at Believe schools are trained in ESL strategies and work with ESL specialists to accommodate our students' diverse needs. 

 

Art

Believe schools have the ability to provide a well-rounded education because of the freedom that a charter provides. The autonomy that the charter provides enables us to include what many other schools see as “extras”. Students are required to complete one year of art courses before graduation and may choose from a complete listing based on our teachers areas of expertise. Our teachers are also active in various areas of the field so electives range from advertising to graphic arts to set design depending on staff capacity and student interest.

 

Advisory

All students are assigned an advisor who is their guide, mentor, and facilitator throughout their high school years. Advisors conduct and lead the Advisory Class which includes, study organizational skills building, life skills, career skills, individualized student support activities and goal setting for the years at WCHS and beyond. The Advisor also interacts with parents; they are the first “go to” adult for any significant issues regarding personal and academic growth using as tools such as the Academic Progress Report and Assessment (APRA) and the Individualized Student Support Plan (ISSP) for each student. The ISSP helps advisors to conduct assessments and work with students in developing a sequence of educational, career/employment and personal goals and services tailored to their individual needs. Students are fully involved in all aspects of their education including its planning and design. It is a part of a student’s program for all their years’ attendance.

 

All students are required to complete the minimum State requirement. What sets the Believe Northside Charter High School diploma apart from the State Standard is:

• 70% required to pass all courses
• Language is Latin
• English Language and Literacy course is included 44 credit requirement for 9th graders

Students who pursue and complete 8 or more credits in any one subject area will graduate with a ‘major’ in that subject. (Contact Academic Guidance staff for more information

 

Course Areas	Minimum Number of Credits for Graduation       (General Education Students)
English Language Arts	8 Credits          English Regents
Social Studies	8 Credits      2 in US History      1 in Participation in Government      1 in Economics        Global Regents      US Regents
Mathematics	8 Credits      No more than 4 can be taken in Int. Alg, Geom. and/or Alg 2       Math Regents
Science	6 Credits      2 in Life Science      2 in Physical Science      2 in any science        Science Regents
Health	1 Credit
The Arts	2 Credits
Languages other than English	2 Credits
Physical Education	4 Credits
Total Units	39 Credits in core courses      44 required to graduate
Community Service	* 50 Hours (highly encouraged)