Questions | Answers |
What is the contact number and address for High School Ahead Academy? | Telephone Number- 336-294-7640 Fax Number- 336-294-7643 Address: 329 College Road, Greensboro, NC 27410 |
What type of alternative school is High School Ahead Academy? | High School Ahead Academy (HSAA) is an innovative program for over-aged middle school students. Through immersion in core academic subject areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, we seek to accelerate their readiness for transition into high school. In addition, these students have the opportunity to take courses in technology and health/PE. The students who attend HSAA are designated as eighth graders. The ultimate goal is to enable these students to graduate from high school within a time frame that is in line with other students of their age group. High School Ahead Academy has small class sizes and students are able to benefit from individualized attention. While students are attending High School Ahead Academy, they can apply for Early/Middle Colleges. Once the students successfully complete their one year at High School Ahead Academy, they will be promoted to their feeder high school from their home schools or attend an Early/Middle College if accepted. |
How many students attend High School Ahead Academy? | 100 |
For the 2013-2014 school year, how does a child get recommended? | HSAA is looking for current sixth graders during the 2012-2013 school year whose Birthday is between June 10, 1999- June 30, 2000. |
What classes are offered at HSAA? | HSAA follows the 8th grade NC Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Math Concepts/Algebra I and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies. In addition, the students will take Health/PE and Business Marketing. |
Are the students at HSAA responsible for taking and passing the 8thgrade EOG's? | Yes. The students at HSAA will take the 8thgrade EOG's, and they must be proficient in order to move on to high school during the 2014-2015 school year. |
Will High School Ahead Academy receive the tablets for all of their students during the 2013-2014 school year? | Yes. Each student will receive a tablet through a GCS Grant for all middle school students. Not all middle schools will receive the tablet for the 2013-2014 school year. Schools who do not receive the tablet for the 2013-2014 school year, will receive them during the 2014-2015 school year. |
How large/small are the classes? | The largest core class will have a teacher/student ratio of 1:15. |
Is bus transportation provided? | Yes. Bus transportation will transport students who are currently enrolled in a GCS school. |
How long is the bus route to HSAA? | It depends on where someone lives. We have busses that transport students from all over the district. The average bus route is between 15-20 minutes. |
Does HSAA have sports? | No. Due to HSAA's hours of operation, sports are not offered. |
Does HSAA have clubs? | Yes. Our club offerings are based on student interest. |
What are the hours of operation? | Office hours are from 9:00-5:00pm, Student Hours are from 10:00-4:30pm. Breakfast is served from 9:30-10:00am, and lunch is served from 1:00-1:40pm. |
Does HSAA have a uniform dress code? | Yes. HSAA does have Standard Mode of Dress. |
What school calendar does HSAA follow? | HSAA follows the traditional calendar for GCS. |
Is HSAA a school of choice? | Yes. No student is placed at HSAA. It is an agreement with HSAA, the student, and the parent. |
If my child will be an over-aged 8th grader, will he/she be able to move to high school during the second semester of his/her 8th grade year? | No. HSAA only did that one semester the first year it opened (2007). HSAA is a year long school, and we are looking at current over-aged sixth graders for the 2013-2014 school year. |
What is the typical age of a student who attends HSAA? | 13-14 years old |
Currently, how many different middles represent HSAA? | We have representation from 21 different middle schools from GCS. |
Is HSAA a behavioral/disciplinarian school? | No. High School Ahead Academy is an alternative school to help students accelerate a grade level based on their age. |
If my child agrees to attend HSAA, but decides later to return to his/her middle school, is that an option? | No. Once a student commits to attend HSAA, he/she is at HSAA for the entire year. |
Does HSAA have a PTSA? | No. Since HSAA gets a new group of each year, parents cannot hold an office for 2 years. We have a Parent Advisory Group that meets monthly/quarterly. |
How can my child take Algebra I? | If your child scored a high level 3 (359 or higher on his/her 5th grade math EOG), and has a letter of recommendation from his/her 6th grade math teacher, your child will be eligible to Algebra I while at HSAA. Because the classes are small, the math teacher will incorporate 7th and 8th grade math, as well as Algebra I concepts. It is a very demanding pace, but with focus, studying, and doing homework, it is very manageable. |
If my child takes Algebra I and passes the class and the EOC, will that count towards his/her graduation requirement? | Yes. If a student passes the Algebra I class and EOC, that will count toward his/her graduation requirement and also toward the 4 math classes needed in high school. |
How long are the classes? | Language Arts and Math are daily 90 minute courses all year. Science and Social Studies are 90 minute classes every 4.5 weeks. Health/PE, and Marketing is on an A/B schedule. |
How often are the students assessed? | At HSAA, the students are assessed through a variety of assessments such as verbal responses, written responses, quizzes, test, benchmarks, unit assessments, tactile, projects, products, etc… |
Is there a tutoring program at HSAA? | Yes, the teachers at HSAA do offer tutoring before and after school. HSAA also offers Extended Learning from 4:45-5:45 with transportation provided. In addition, daytime Math and Language Arts Tutors are available. |
How often are progress reports given out to students? | At HSAA, the students receive progress reports every 4 weeks. They will have 2 progress reports before their report cards.We also encourage parents to utilize Parent Assist. The teachers’ grades are updated every week. |
How does HSAA communicate with parents? | Via phone, email, mailings, web pages, letters, conferences. We strongly encourage parents to visit the school and classes as often as they like. |
What are on the teacher web pages? | The teachers update their web pages daily with homework assignments, tests, projects, assessments, etc. |
Are the students grouped by ability levels? | Yes. They are grouped according to their math and reading levels. Typically, the students stay with the same classmates all day. They change teachers, but very seldom do they change classmates |
