Behavioral Guidance and Coaching

Several, if not all of our staff members in the Summit Academy Schools are trained to be able to guide students and help them with any problems they may be having, both in school and at home. The Behavior Specialist in each school works closely with each student and their teacher to ensure they are developing and strengthening positive behaviors. Instead of scolding our students for acting out, we guide and coach them on positive ways to deal with negative feelings. We encourage them to use physical activity to let off steam, and to talk to someone when they are feeling stressed or frustrated.

The ultimate goal for our students is for them to graduate and go on to successful, educated adults. With that in mind, we are always striving for them to meet requirements and transition well from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to college.

College Credit Plus

Definition and Purpose:

This program allows high school students to earn college credit and/or high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses. The program is intended to provide expanded opportunities for appropriately qualified high school students to experience coursework at the college or university level. Any high school student admitted to a course by an institution of higher education will be expected and required to perform at the same level as the institution’s regular students. College courses should either contribute to or supplement the broad academic preparation needed by high school students.

Eligibility:

In order to enroll in the PSEOP, students must:

  • Be enrolled in grades 9-12 in an Ohio public, community or nonpublic high school;
  • Hold a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in subject he/she wishes to study at the postsecondary college or university.

Options:

“Option A” – This option allows students to choose, upon enrollment, to earn college credit or both high school and college credit. The student/student’s family is responsible for all costs involved in this option. The college/university will notify the student/student’s family about payment of tuition and fees in the customary manner.

“Option B” – This option allows students to receive both high school and college credit. The student/student’s family is not required to pay for tuition, books, materials or fees directly related to the course(s) he/she is enrolled in. Students who fail to complete a course (drop the course after the “no penalty” drop period) or who receive a failing grade, must pay back any costs associated with the course to the District. All textbooks acquired belong to the college/university and must be returned to the college/university at the end of the course unless arrangements have been made for the student to purchase the book on his/her own.

Students choosing either option will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the college/university. This includes the cost of a parking pass (if applicable).

Issuance of Credit

If the student will earn both high school and college credit, upon successful completion of a course at the college/university, the following procedure will be followed to issue high school credit.

  • If most of the content of the college course is comparable to one offered by the District, the District will issue subject area credit. College courses may be substituted for courses required for high school graduation based upon comparability of content without regard to instruction time. If the college course is offered as a graded course, a high school student may not choose to take the course for pass/fail.
  • If the district offers no comparable course, the District will issue an appropriate number of credits as elective credit.
  • Credits will be issued as follows. One Carnegie unit means the basic unit of credit used to meet high school graduation requirements. One Carnegie unit is awarded for courses scheduled for one hundred twenty instructional hours. Here is an example of the conversions below:
  • Evidence of successful completion of each course and the high school credits awarded by the district shall be included in the student’s cumulative record. The record shall indicate that the credits were earned as a participant of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program, which shall include the name of the college/university at which the credits were earned.

Timeline

By March 1, the District must notify students in grades 8-11 and their parents of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program. This will be accomplished through a letter home and/or informational meeting.

By March 30, students must notify the District (Performance Coach or Director) of their intent to participate in the program. Failure to do so would make them ineligible to participate without the Superintendent’s permission.

By April 30, the District must return the completed SF-PS-140A to the area coordinator.

Counseling Requirement ( Current students already enrolled in PSEOP)

Information and counseling must take place to inform students and parents of possible risks and consequences of participating in the program. Counseling information shall include without limitation:

  • Program eligibility
  • The process for granting academic credits;
  • Financial arrangements for tuition, books, materials, and fees
  • Criteria for any transportation aid
  • Available support services
  • Scheduling
  • The consequences of failing or not completing a course in which the student enrolls and the effect of the grade attained in the course being included in the student’s grade point average, if applicable
  • The effect of program participation on the student’s ability to complete the district’s or school’s graduation requirements;
  • The academic and social responsibilities of students and parents under the program; and
  • Information about and encouragement to use the counseling services of the college in which the student intends to enroll.

Credit Flexibility

Credit Flexibility is a way to graduate from high school ready for success. It allows students and parents to make choices about how to earn high school credit.

In addition to earning high school credits by successfully completing regularly scheduled courses, students are able to: Earn credit by demonstrating mastery of the content of a traditional course by passing tests that ensure mastery. Student will complete an independent study project that may consist of an internship with a local business, educational travel, or service learning program that is aligned to the Ohio Academic Content Standards. This can be done in an area not offered at the school. Successfully completing an online course or a summer or after-school program aligned to the school curriculum. Successfully completing coursework at another approved institution of learning outside of any in which you are already earning high school credits. Creating and completing a learning experience that is a combination of the above options.

*It is the student’s responsibility to ask to participate in one of these options at the beginning of the school year and to create a plan that will allow them to be successful.

Transition Planning

It can sometimes be difficult to transition from an Elementary School to a Middle School, or from a Middle School to a High School. It is especially tough transitioning from High School to college, or to the adult career world. It is Summit Academy’s main goal to prepare our students for the real world so that they can navigate it as confident, educated, successful adults.

At Summit Academy, the focus will be on exploring careers, postsecondary education, independent living, and leisure options. Your child will have the opportunity to practice realistic goal setting. They will also complete activities to help them reach their goals. Some of these activities may include: social skills training, self-advocacy training, disability awareness training, job shadowing, volunteer opportunities, job search skills, assistance in completing applications, and mock interviews. Transition planning is student focused and parent input is an integral part. If you have input on your student’s needs in regards to preparing for postsecondary education, training, employment, or independent living skills, please let your child’s school know so we can assist him or her in being as successful as possible.