Our High Schools: Smaller is better in our nontraditional approach

The research is clear, when it comes to high schools, smaller is better. In Nampa, the high school experience begins in the eighth grade when high school counselors and administrators visit with students at middle schools each spring to answer questions and help students plan for the next step. The first day of high school in the fall is reserved for ninth-graders allowing them to come and explore their new high school.

Preparing for graduation

In the first two years of high school, students become part of a small learning community of about 120 teens called a House. House members take their core classes — English, math, science, and social studies — together for their freshman and sophomore years. Making this journey with them are a core of dedicated, caring teachers.

These communities help create strong bonds among our students and teachers and help ensure that students are earning the credits required for graduation and are well prepared to take the state’s graduation test at the end of sophomore year.

Preparing for “Grade 13”

As juniors and seniors, students finish up credits for graduation and are encouraged to select from a rich array of choice designed to help them realize their dreams for Grade 13, the first year after high school. Students can use their electives to participate in career-oriented academies, rigorous college-level courses, professional technical programs, and more.

Students can specialize or pursue a general course of study — it’s their choice based on their dreams. In Nampa, it doesn’t matter which high school a student calls home, these choices are open to all who choose our schools. Rather than diminishing resources by duplicating programs at each of our high school, we’ve taken a nontraditional approach. We’ve invested in unique programs at each of our three high schools and provide the transportation to allow any student to participate.

Our student-centered approach combined with rich choices is making a difference as our graduation rates are increasing.