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SDS offers a free high school
education to any 14-21 year old student. But what is unique about SDS?
The following describes some of the innovative characteristics of our
school:
 NEW
for 2004-2005: Structured Learning plus Independent Learning
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To gradually
guide students toward greater independence, responsibility, and motivation,
SDS now offers Structured Learning classes in which students attend
scheduled class sessions twice weekly as a supplement to their individualized
studies. Scheduled weekly meetings provide students with clear deadlines
and planned instructional activities to assist them in reaching their
academic goals. Our program of Independent Learning is still an option
for qualifying students. |
Accelerated
Curriculum
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Whether a
student needs to catch up on credits or simply wants to earn credits
faster, the SDS curriculum is designed to accelerate student progress.
Course completion at SDS is based on mastery of course content. Students
complete a class by following the instructions on a detailed Course
Plan. Once the course requirements are met, the class is completed,
and students can move on immediately to their next classes. |
Flexible
Attendance
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Students
can choose when they attend school. Students must attend a minimum
of 20 hours per week, but they can adjust their schedule according
to personal preference, transportation issues, or work schedules.
Students "clock in" and "clock out" from school
to keep track of their hours each week. |
Individualized
Instruction
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Students receive one-on-one assistance
from their instructors. None of the classes at SDS uses a lecture
format. Instead, our classrooms are set up to provide students with
individual guidance as they work through their classes. Teachers will
also work with students to modify course activities and tailor them
to individual needs. |
Certified
Instructors
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All SDS instructors
are certified to teach in the state of Arizona. Teacher certification
is important because it ensures that instructors have specific training
regarding learning styles, behavior modification, developmental psychology,
instructional design, and many other specialties that impact the classroom
each day. |
Small
School Environment
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SDS is a
small school of less than 100 students. This allows us to maintain
a safe, family-style learning environment where everyone knows everyone.
Being small helps us avoid some of the problems experienced in large
schools where most people are strangers to one another and interpersonal
conflicts are common. |
Integrated
Technology
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Students
have daily access to computer technology and the Internet in our classrooms
with over 30 networked computers on site. This is important because
students will use computers to research information, type papers,
deliver presentations, and create artwork for many of their classes.
SDS also offers a laptop checkout program that allows students to
extend educational technology into their homes. |
Innovative
Partnerships
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SDS works
with several institutions within the community who offer excellent
services that complement our program. For example, qualifying students
can complete concurrent credits at Mesa Community College--the credits
count for both college and high school, and SDS pays for tuition.
Students can also activities at other locations. At the Red Mountain
Multigenerational Center, students can participate in weight training
and receive physical education credit. |
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