Chester Upland School For Science and Discovery

social studies, literature, writing, foreign languages and enriching electives that will culminate in AP courses for 11th and 12th grade students. A special feature of the school will be a cutting edge program in space science to be offered in collaboration with the Space Foundation and others .<br><br> This program will afford Chester Upland students, teachers and the broader community the opportunity to have signi cant interactions with NASA astronauts, space educators, and aerospace companies, as well as to visit space installations throughout the United States. Another state of the art program will be offered in information technologies and game theory. It has long been established that low expectations result in low outcomes.<br><br> Chester Upland 9s widely publicized woeful rates of poor PSSA performance, high school dropout, low college matriculation, and relatively low school attendance, and correspondingly high teenage pregnancies and incarcerations, as well as school violence, can no longer be tolerated. The School for Science and Discovery will be a college-preparatory school of the Chester Upland School District with a target rate of 90% each for PSSA pro cient/advanced achievement, for the high school completion of its ninth graders, and for the college placement of its graduates. Chester Upland School For Science and Discovery Every successful district is uncompromising in its commitment to high achievement.<br><br> It sets the tone for the culture of achievement and reputation of the entire district. The School of Science and Discovery will exemplify this commitment for Chester Upland School District. The School for Science and Discovery will be a college- preparatory school of the Chester Upland School District with a target rate of 90% each for PSSA pro cient/advanced achievement, for the high school completion of its ninth graders, and for the college placement of its graduates.<br><br> Page 1/2 Admission to the School of Science and Discovery will be competitive, including expectations that applicants will successfully complete Algebra 1 by the end of 8th grade; possess a strong record of school attendance and achieve requisite in-school grades and standardized test scores. Also, high parental commitment to school related activities is required. To remain in good standing, students must maintain strong attendance records, grades and test scores at required levels and comply with the rules of conduct and decorum for the School, and parents must ful ll the expectations for their involvement in school related activities.<br><br> A pilot group of approximately 100 eighth graders will be admitted in spring 2008. To enhance their preparation, these students will be provided intense enrichment support that will include a four-week summer program in July 2008 and culminate with a one-week residential institute at Millersville University in August 2008. The Showalter Building will be renovated to house the School of Science and Discovery beginning September 2009.<br><br> In order to facilitate a September 2008 start, the School of Science and Discovery will be temporarily housed at The Village, which will be limited to the attendance of the rst class of students to be admitted this spring. Teachers selected for assignment at the School of Science and Discovery must sign an agreement to participate fully in the professional development activities crucial to the success of this school. For the most part this training will occur during regular school hours and will entitle teachers to Act 48 credits.<br><br> Substitutes will be provided as needed. Teachers will be mentored and coached by on-site education experts in science, mathematics and literacy. An Advisory Board will be formed consisting of representatives from regional businesses, including but not limited to the aerospace and information technologies sectors, representatives of partner organizations, the Chester Upland School District, parents and other lay citizens.<br><br> The purpose of this Board will be to advise on the goals, assessment, and acquisition of funding for the School. Our critical partners in this venture include: The Project Forward Leap Foundation (PFL), which will signi cantly expand its enrollment in PFL 9s college-based summer enrichment institutes. This is designed to better prepare Chester Upland middle school students for the academic rigor of the School of Science and Discovery .<br><br> PFL will work closely with the District in the overall implementation and coordination of instruction and curriculum and on funding and other matters. The Space Foundation, which will play the lead role in conducting the Space Days , a comprehensive seven year cutting-edge space science and technologies program for schools. Millersville University, which will be a collaborator on instruction, including supplying education interns and practicum students to support Chester Upland teachers at the school under the supervision of education professors from the University.<br><br> In addition Millersville will facilitate the identi cation and certi cation of substitute teachers, and assist in their professional supervision. Local business support is being sought to sponsor the establishment of a state-of-art information technologies and game theory program. It is projected that approximately $500,000, annually, in supplemental funds will be needed to create and sustain the enhanced in-school offerings of the School of Science and Discovery .<br><br> In addition, to fund the pipeline of additional Chester students, the middle school partnership with the Project Forward Leap Foundation will require additional nancial support. Admission Location & Timing Teachers Partners Funding Chester Upland School for Science and Discovery Page 2/2

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