Author: csadmin

Does Community College have Scholarships?

Written by csadmin on February 15, 2022. Posted in College, Graduation.

A community college also called a junior college, offers students a two-year degree known as an associate degree. There are four types of associate degrees, each of which helps you prepare for a different academic field or occupation. Some are meant to be transferred to a four-year institution, while others are career-specific and help prepare you for employment shortly after you obtain your associate’s degree.

A community college gives you a chance to test the waters at a drastically lower cost than a four-year university. You can explore different classes or fields to determine if you really want to pursue your chosen major, or, you might even discover that college isn’t for you and you would rather attend a technical college or enter a field that doesn’t require a secondary degree.

There are many benefits to attending a community college. No matter which college you attend, whether that’s a two-year or four-year college, or which major you choose, your first two years will mainly consist of the same set of classes. Attending a community college enables you to get all your basic classes out of the way while saving a significant amount of money. Even if you intend to transfer to a four-year university, this drastically reduces the amount of money you’ll have to borrow.

What many students don’t realize is that you can still apply for scholarships and financial aid for community college, and there’s often less competition than for scholarships from a four-year university. Lowering your attendance cost even further.

At the Rose Academies, we offer a Pima Community College Reimbursement Scholarship for students ages 16 and older who are interested in earning college credit while enrolled in high school. This is a great way to earn credit toward your college degree while also earning credits that counts toward your high school diploma. We invite you to learn more and enroll today with a visit to our website.

How High School GPA is Calculated: Understanding Grades

Written by csadmin on January 20, 2022. Posted in Tips.

Your grade point average (GPA) is the sum of all your final grades throughout your high school career divided by the total number of courses. Most high schools (and colleges) report grades on a 4.0 scale.

Each letter grade (A,B,C,D, & F) has a numerical value assigned to it based on the 4.0 scale that looks like this:

A = 4

B = 3

C = 2

D = 1

F = 0

You can calculate your own GPA by adding up the points for each of your letter grades and then dividing by the number of grades you added. This will give you your “Grade Point Average.”

Generally, an A+ is no different from an A- based on the 4.0 scale. Both an A+ and A- will have a value of 4. The same is true for B+ and B- both having a value of 3, C+ and C- both having a value of 2, etc.

As mentioned above, your GPA is the sum of all your grades during your high school career. However, if you retake a class, your GPA will only account for the most recent grade.

Most institutions consider a D or higher a passing grade. At the Rose Academies, you must receive a letter grade of C or higher in order to pass. This means that, at a traditional high school, a student could earn their high school diploma with straight Ds (a GPA of 1.0), whereas students that have completed the entirety of their high school education at the Rose Academies will graduate with a GPA of at least 2.0.

Requiring a minimum grade of a C in order to pass is part of the Rose Mastery Grading System, which gives our students a leg up with a true understanding of course concepts; preparing them to succeed in the world beyond high school.

At the Rose Academies, it’s not too late to improve your GPA in time for graduation or your impending college application process. We offer credit recovery options to meet your needs and can offer a personalized curriculum tailored specifically towards your goals.

Learn more and enroll today by continuing to explore our website.

Students studying in an alternative high school

What are Alternative High Schools?: Non-Traditional Learning

Written by csadmin on January 20, 2022. Posted in Alternative High School, Finding The Right School.

At its most basic, “alternative high school” means students receive an education outside of the traditional high school format.

The Arizona Department of Education’s definition of “alternative high school” is a school whose sole and clearly-stated mission is to serve specific populations of at-risk students. This is a broad definition, and, because of that, alternative high school status must be applied for and approved by the Department of Education.

Contrary to traditional education, many alternative high schools in Arizona offer smaller class sizes, flexible scheduling options, and an overall more personalized experience.

How Alternative High Schools Differ from Traditional Campuses

Unlike a larger public school system, alternative high schools like Rose Academies offer a unique educational experience that differs significantly from traditional campuses. Our approach centers around self-paced courses, allowing students to learn at their own speed, which is often not possible in traditional public schools.

This personalized learning model ensures that each student receives the attention and support they need to succeed. Our smaller class sizes foster a close-knit community where students can thrive academically and socially, guiding them in reaching their full potential.

Types of Alternative High Schools

Each type of alternative school shares a common goal: to provide a flexible, supportive environment that helps students succeed. At Rose Academies, we specialize in credit recovery programs for students who are behind in their studies and need to catch up to receive their high school diploma. Because we are self-paced, students can also get ahead in their studies and graduate early!

Many alternative schools may focus on specific career paths, arts, or technical skills, providing specialized training and education. Some schools cater to students with unique learning needs, offering tailored support and resources.

Reasons to Enroll in an Alternative High School

Alternative schools serve high school students who may not thrive in traditional settings, offering a more personalized and supportive learning environment. Students at our school benefit from flexible scheduling, allowing them to balance education with other responsibilities. Additionally, our focus on individualized teaching methods helps students recover credits and graduate on time.

Learning Disabilities Make Traditional Settings Difficult

For students with learning disabilities, traditional school settings can be challenging and often overwhelming. At Rose Academies, we provide the necessary accommodations and support to ensure that these students can succeed.

Our self-paced courses allow students to learn at a comfortable speed, reducing stress and frustration. Our dedicated teachers are trained to work with students with various learning disabilities, offering personalized instruction and assistance. This supportive environment helps students build confidence and achieve their academic goals.

Social or Behavioral Challenges

Students facing social or behavioral challenges often find it difficult to succeed in traditional schools. Rose Academies offer a safe and understanding environment where these students can thrive. Our smaller class sizes allow us to individually address each student’s unique needs and challenges.

We emphasize positive behavior and social skills, helping students develop the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally. Our supportive community fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, encouraging students to overcome their challenges and excel.

Life Circumstances

Life circumstances can sometimes make attending a traditional high school impractical or impossible. Whether it’s due to work commitments, family responsibilities, or other personal situations, Rose Academies provide the flexibility these students need.

We understand that each student’s situation is unique, and we strive to provide the support and resources necessary to help them succeed. By offering a customized educational experience, we help students achieve their goals and create better life opportunities.

Advantages of Alternative High Schools

1. Smaller Class Sizes

Smaller classes allow teachers to give students more individual attention and make it easier to tailor lessons to specific student needs. Fewer students mean less distraction and disciplinary issues compared to a large group of peers, and students are more likely to participate, as it’s more difficult to blend into the crowd.

2. More Flexible Scheduling Options

Rather than a set start and end time that applies to every student in the school, alternative high schools often offer more flexibility in a student’s daily academic schedule. This flexibility allows students to more easily work outside of school, catch up on material, or get ahead. This scheduling flexibility applies all the way to graduation, for those hoping to earn their diploma according to their own timeline.

3. Personalization to Learning Styles

At an alternative high school, personalization doesn’t stop at scheduling. Focus on the individual student expands all the way to curriculum and credit recovery. Students have more say as to what classes they take and when. This allows students to focus on a particular passion, as well as design their educational experience according to their current needs and goals.

At the Rose Academies free charter high schools, we offer smaller class sizes and designated workstations for each student. Three session times are offered throughout the day with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions; and our knowledgeable staff will work with you to discover the classes most needed to achieve graduation on your own time.

Choosing the Right Alternative High School

Selecting the right alternative high school for your child involves careful consideration of their unique needs and goals. It’s crucial to visit schools, meet teachers, and understand the curriculum to ensure it aligns with your child’s learning style.

Additionally, look for a school with a proven track record of helping students succeed academically and transition to higher education or careers. By thoroughly evaluating your options, you can make an informed decision that will best support your child’s future.

How Colleges Look at Alternative High Schools

Colleges increasingly recognize the value of alternative high schools and the unique strengths their graduates bring. Our rigorous curriculum and emphasis on fundamental skills prepare students for the demands of college coursework.

Furthermore, alternative high school graduates demonstrate strong self-motivation and independent learning abilities, making them attractive candidates for college admissions. By attending an alternative high school, your student can establish a solid educational and social foundation and stand out to college admissions boards.

Determining if an Alternative High School is Right for You or Your Child

Deciding whether an alternative school experience is the best fit for you or your child requires careful reflection on their educational needs and social circumstances. Consider factors such as your child’s learning style, their need for a flexible schedule, and any social or behavioral challenges they may face.

It’s also important to assess the school’s approach to personalized education and support services. By weighing these considerations, you can determine if an alternative high school is the ideal environment for your child to achieve their social and academic goals.

At Rose Academies, our curriculum is self-paced, but not self-taught, and we are always enrolling. Explore our website to discover what an alternative education could look like for your child.

How to Help Your Student Get A’s On Their Next Report Card

Written by csadmin on December 22, 2021. Posted in Tips.

As a parent, you want to help your student succeed in any way possible. Whether it’s encouraging healthy habits or actually helping them study, you want to be there for your child as much as you can so they can succeed and have the best school experience possible. These tips are a few great ways to help your student get A’s on their next report card.

Help Them Learn to Take Good Notes

Notetaking is a skill that many people take for granted, but it’s key to learning how to succeed at the best schools. There are a range of different note-taking techniques, and letting your child know the basics of the different methods can help them find what’s best for them. You can work with your child to help them try out the different methods, and in the end, they can find a sustainable method that will help them for years to come.

Encourage Them to Try Different Studying Styles

Studying doesn’t come in a one size fits all method. You may think the only study method is to have your student sit alone with no background sound or music as they try to memorize information, but that’s not the only way to go. Some people study best with quiet background music or white noise, so you can try out different settings for your student to make sure that they can find the best method for them.

There are also different methods, like the Pomodoro method, that can be helpful if your student has attention issues. For this method, your child will spend 15-25 minutes studying then get a 5-10 minute break. This also is a good way to help prevent burnout.

Encourage Self-Care Habits

Balance is the key to many aspects of life, and the same applies when it comes to studying. You should encourage your child to practice self-care-based habits, like getting enough sleep, to make sure they can have the energy and mindset for success in school. Make sure that you aren’t putting too much pressure on your child as well and ensure they have hobbies and activities to do outside of school so they can have a healthy balance.

There are more great schools than ever before considering the fact that over the last 15 years many more schools have popped up, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be encouraging your child to succeed. If you want your child to have the best school experience possible and get the best grades possible, keep these tips in mind.

Should You Send Your Kids To Private School?

Written by csadmin on November 18, 2021. Posted in Finding The Right School.

Considering sending your children to private school is a big undertaking for you as a parent. There are a few things you have to take into consideration such as what school would be right for your child as well as whether or not the tuition is in your budget. But there’s a reason why so many parents decide that private school would be a better alternative for their children. Private schools offer a lot of different advantages, which can ultimately set your children up for a better future than public schools would. With that being said, let’s look into some of the specific reasons why parents may choose a private high school over a public high school.

1. Smaller Class Sizes

It’s not uncommon for private school classes to have a 12:1 student to teacher ratio, which is much smaller than what students experience in public school. In contrast, public school classes can contain dozens of students, with many of them having 30 to 50 students. Students receive more individualized attention in smaller classes. Teachers are more easily able to get to know them, and in turn, that means your child is more likely to get help when they need it. It’s also easier for high-achieving students to stand out in smaller classes, making it easier for them to be noticed and placed in the programs and classes that they need.

2. A Specialized Experience

While some private schools function quite similarly to public schools in terms of offering a broad educational experience, some are more individualized. For example, if you and your family are religious, you may want to consider a religious private school. Some religious private schools are simply run by religious leaders, while others incorporate religious teachings and worship services into their curriculum. Additionally, some specialized private schools don’t focus on religion at all, but rather subjects like art or science.

3. Social Benefits

School, especially high school, can be quite socially difficult for growing kids. Private schools can make it easier. Again, they’re often smaller, making it more difficult for your child to be lost in the crowd. They also often institute things like uniforms, which often cut down on bullying and social stratification.

While no private school is exactly like all of the others, there are often higher educational and even higher hiring standards at private schools. Your child can be prepared for success, at a school that is made for their needs.</p.

What is the Consequence of Dropping Out of School?

Written by csadmin on November 3, 2021. Posted in High School Dropout Prevention.

Roughly, a staggering one million students drop out each year, and nearly half of all African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans fail to graduate. Dropping out of school can have severe consequences for students both immediately and far into their futures. 86% of high school students graduate, according to the national average. The other 14% disproportionately affects low-income communities with higher dropout rates and less opportunity to improve their situation in the future.

This article will cover some of the reasons why so many students are dropping out of school, the risk factors, and how to prevent this epidemic.

High School Students

Student success towards high school graduation is a goal for most high schools. They aim for higher school rankings and test scores, support students in their extracurricular activities, and dial in on the specific skills of each student. Many schools offer career coaching to students, encouraging them to go on to community college or to become college students, but many students drop out due to family obligations, lack of community resources, and even poorer health.

High School Diploma

Dropping Out of School Prevention – Diploma & Graduation Cap

Earning a high school diploma has become essential to the financial success of people living in the United States, and attaining a high school diploma is often the first step towards future goals for students. Whether that be going on to four-year universities, community colleges, or the workforce.

GED

Many jobs will not hire students without a high school diploma and the military will not take students without a GED (General Educational Development) or a high school diploma. The General Educational Development tests are a group of four subject tests which, when passed, provide certification that the test taker has United States or Canadian high school-level academic skills. It is an equivalent alternative to the US high school diploma.

Earning a High School Diploma

High school graduates earn their high school diploma as a marker of their academic achievement, typically at the end of their fourth school year. A typical school day is about 6-7hrs long and has the potential to engage students, provide students with new experiences and field trips they wouldn’t have otherwise, and keep the school’s dropout rate at bay.

High School Dropouts

Dropping out means leaving high school, college, university, or another group for practical reasons, necessities, inability, or disillusionment with the system from which the individual in question leaves.

Lack of Resources

Many high schools are without the resources necessary to provide the support students need. Especially high-risk students whose parents may have lower-paying jobs and need help from their children to support their other family members. These students often lack the agency to focus on school. Needing to leave school for work is just one aspect contributing to the dropout rate.

Failing Grades

More than 27% of students say that they leave school because they are failing too many classes. Without enough passing grades and/or credits than required, students start to become discouraged and resigned to the idea that school just isn’t for them, adding to the dropout crisis.

Boredom

Nearly 26% report boredom as a contributing factor. About 26% also say that they dropped out to become caregivers, and more than 20% say that school simply wasn’t relevant to their lives. Only a small percentage say that they drop out because of school life, ineffective teachers, residential instability, mental health issues, or getting kicked out of school.

Dropping Out of School Causes, Consequences and Solutions

Risk Factors

Researchers have connected many of these factors of at-risk students and lower high school graduation rates to socio-economic status. Low-income students from low-income areas are 2.4 times more likely to drop out of school than those from middle-income neighborhoods. When students need to worry about necessities like food, shelter, and safety, they cannot expend energy on school.

Consequences

There are enormous consequences for dropouts, their families, and their communities. Young adults with a high-school degree earn 25 percent more than those without one, and this divide lasts a lifetime. A high school graduate’s lifetime income is 50 to 100 percent higher than a dropout’s.

While individuals cannot control many of the factors that contribute to students dropping out of high school, they can do some things to help students succeed.

Prevention

Considering more than 27% of high school dropouts say that they were failing too many classes, it makes sense that a large portion of dropout prevention may focus on parent involvement and educators giving at-risk students more opportunities to learn course materials and get better grades. This may involve after-school tutoring, more active learning, finding a mentor through community centers, or helping students to find out and understand a potential learning disability that may make academic success more challenging.

Family Involvement

Parental involvement can also contribute to student success simply by staying involved in education. Staying involved may include checking in with teachers, making extracurricular events a family engagement, and making plans for what their children would like to do after graduation. Establishing academic expectations, such as going to college, can influence how students perceive their goals.

Students enrolled in sports and extracurricular activities correlate with a higher high school graduation rate as well as student retention. Young people stay in school when they have something to look forward to and that is meaningful to them.

National Dropout Prevention Center

The National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) offers topical videos and virtual professional development to support schools and educators. Approaches to school dropout prevention include providing helpful resources and improving the learning process for students early on.

Early Education

Birth-to-five interventions demonstrate that providing a child additional enrichment can enhance brain development. The most effective way to reduce the number of children who will ultimately drop out is to provide the best possible classroom instruction and perform an education evaluation from the beginning of their school experience through the primary grades.

Technical Education

For older students, a focus on technical education can be a great approach. A quality technical education program and a related guidance program are essential to improve students’ educational experience and often lead to greater student retention, test scores, and graduation rates. School-to-work programs recognize that youth need specific skills to prepare them to measure up to the larger demands of today’s workplace and can help improve poor attendance as students find their classes to be more relevant to their real lives.

Alternative High School

Alternative schooling provides potential dropouts with a variety of options that can lead to graduation, with programs paying special attention to the student’s individual social needs and academic requirements for a high school diploma.

At the Rose Academies Charter Schools, we have had an alternative approach to high school education for over 20 years. Our goal is to help students who have fallen behind to become high school graduates. As students drop out of school, students drop out of a number of opportunities we think are too valuable to forgo.

Credit Recovery

Oftentimes when students drop a class, they are failing what is required for graduation and so are then required to complete a whole additional year of schooling. At the Rose Academies, we offer a credit recovery program where students only take the credits they need for graduation. This encourages students to stay the course of their education, especially when students lack the time to devote an entire additional year in full-time school.

Flexible Scheduling

Rose Academies’ Flexible Scheduling

Due to the fact that so many students need to or choose to work throughout their high school experience, the Rose Academies offer flexible scheduling options. Each student can choose a five-hour-long session offered three different times throughout the day. We find that some school policies and the rigidity of curriculum in other schools can be discouraging for students whose lives don’t fit that of typical high school students, and we aim to give each and every one of our students the opportunity to succeed.

Reaching Graduation

The high school dropout rate is in constant flux for young people, but here at the Rose Academies, we help to prevent students from feeling the need to contribute to the dropout rate with a focus on individual students.

To separate our charter school from traditional education we focus on what high school students want: a small, friendly environment that puts an emphasis on personalized needs. Because of that, all of our teachers are caring guides who work with their students on an individualized basis, in engaging classrooms, to help them meet and exceed all of their goals.

Beyond being a charter school Tucson can trust, Rose Academies help provide continued success after high school for young adults. Our Rose Personal Progress Planners can help students set and achieve post-graduation goals on a continued basis, long after they have left our campuses.

Dropping out of school should never be an option or last resort. We invite you to learn more by continuing to explore our website and see the Rose difference for yourself!

Our Established In-Person & Online Schooling Hybrid Program

Written by csadmin on October 21, 2021. Posted in Video Blog.

Rose Academies offers a different approach to in-person learning and online schooling, especially during Covid-19. Flexible schedules are available, and an established proven curriculum. Please click on this video blog to learn additional information.

What Are the Alternatives to Traditional High Schools?

Written by csadmin on October 21, 2021. Posted in Charter High Schools.

In case no one has told you, you have choices when it comes to your student’s high school education! Whether you’re worried your local public school isn’t up to par, or noticing that your student isn’t thriving in that environment as well as you’d hoped, we’re here to help provide the alternative you’ve been searching for.

Some signs your child may be better suited for an alternative to traditional high school include:

Your child is experiencing…

Bullying or negative emotions and anxiety about going to school
Underperformance in classes or falling behind in credits
Boredom with the current pace of their classes, or finding that they’re not being intellectually challenged enough
An unsatisfactory local school district
A need for more flexibility or control over their own schedule

If any of these issues sound familiar, it may be time to consider an alternative high school option.

Charter schools are considered a widely accessible and free option for those dissatisfied with traditional public schools. Charter schools are not tied down to any one curriculum and have more flexibility in terms of what they teach and how they teach it. Instructors can incorporate more innovative teaching styles, and parents get to have more say and understanding as to the curriculum best suited for their child.

Rose vs. Traditional — **Rose Academies vs Traditional High Schools**

At Rose Academies, we have taken the credibility of traditional high schools and paired it with an environment built to help students with the issues mentioned above. . Students set their own pace and work with one of our caring staff members to design the curriculum right for their timeline and their goals. Class time is spent working largely independently with access to instructors as needed, and we offer three session times throughout the day to ensure your student’s education fits with the schedule that works best for them.

Rose Academies are the premier, non-traditional charter schools Tucson trusts to put your students’ needs first. Unlike traditional high schools, a charter school focuses on the individualized experience and helps your student thrive in ways traditional education systems cannot. With self-paced courses and a team of onsite, supportive teachers, we are dedicated to helping our students meet their goals, every time.

We invite you to continue exploring our website to learn more about what makes Rose Academies uniquely prepared for the current and future of high school education. Take an online video tour of our in-person high schools today!

Online Classes vs In-Person High Schools

Written by csadmin on October 21, 2021. Posted in Finding The Right School, Online Learning.

Between in-person or online class options, which is the best for your student in terms of safety, consistency, focus, and education? This article will help answer this question by comparing both online and in-person high schools.

For nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly has brought this question to a head. We’ve now learned that much of the online and/or in-person learning experience is determined by the individual. At Rose Academies, we have continued with a system that enacts the best of both worlds through our Blended Learning Model, harnessing the interactivity of an in-person workspace with the stability and consistency of an online-accessible curriculum.

Going to a traditional high school has had its drawbacks even before the pandemic. While students hopefully have access to attentive teachers able to support them and answer questions, it can become all too easy for pupils to slip through the cracks in a larger student body. It’s possible to be in a class that isn’t being well-managed by the teacher. This sadly results in having whole instruction times that go by ineffectively. Add issues of the pandemic on top of that and it’s easy for a legitimate concern of health and safety to arise.

At Rose Academies, students work at personal, designated work stations with social distancing and sanitation measures ensured. Our small class sizes make it possible to keep students safe and engaged. They also provide them in-person access to their instructors who are available to help. Classes are self-led, but not self-taught. This allows for each session time to be an effective and efficient use of the student’s time.

On the other hand, traditional online schooling has been an option for students pre-COVID as well. Many enjoy the flexibility and independence an online education allows, but it too can have its shortcomings. Reliance on technology, Wi-Fi, and generally, online resources can be unstable at home. Add to that an online instructor who is unresponsive or uninvolved in a student’s lesson time and you have a recipe for wasted educational potential.

At Rose Academies, we provide the resources students need to succeed. This includes dedicated computer workstations and an electronic curriculum, as well as in-person assistance available from caring teachers. This Blended Learning Model has been instrumental in helping to keep our students on track towards their graduation goals. And this is in spite of a global pandemic and ever-changing high school landscape. We invite you to continue exploring our website to learn more about what makes Rose Academies uniquely prepared for the current and future of high school education.

Take the next step towards graduating and take an online video tour of our in-person high schools today!