ACADEMICS & GUIDANCE

Camden Academy has an extended school day, running from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The curriculum is anchored by the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and is delivered in a collegiate academy style.  Students take eight academic courses a day and minimally complete 110 credit hours for graduation.

Students choose to study in either The Academy of Business or The Academy of Science.  In order to be admitted in an Academy, students must conduct a formal research project on a career of their choice.  Students must present their findings to a panel of community members and formally submit an application and essay.  This invites students to learn based on their own interests, personal goals, academic goals, and long-term aspirations.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The Camden Academy Charter High School Board of Trustees recognizes the successful completion of the secondary school instructional program by the awarding of a state-endorsed diploma certifying that the pupil has met all state and local requirements for high school graduation. The Board annually certifies to the County Superintendent that each pupil who has been awarded a diploma has met the requirements for graduation.

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete a course of study within the school, including not less than 120 credits in courses designed to meet the Core Curriculum Content Standards including:

• At least 20 credits in language arts literacy;
• At least 15 credits in mathematics; including Algebra I content
• At least 15 credits in science;
• At least 15 credits in social studies, including two courses in US History as per N.J.S.A. 18A:35;
• At least 3 ¾ credits in health, safety, and physical education during each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8;
• At least 5 credits in visual or performing;
• At least 5 credits in Career Education and Consumer, Family and Life Skills;
• At least 5 credits in world languages;
• At least 22.5 credits of electives taken from Core Curriculum Content Standards areas.
  

• Students may not accrue more than 18 unexcused absences per class for each year of enrollment.

Students are required to attend school regularly in accordance with the laws of the state. 
The educational program offered by this charter school is predicted on the presence of the pupil and requires continuity of instructional activity under the tutelage of a teacher is vital to this purpose.

• Students will be required to complete a 5-day minor program for each year of enrollment.

To be successful, the school and its students must continually work toward the future.  Therefore, the curriculum will be delivered in a dual semester, collegiate Academy model.  There will be two schools within the academy that will focus on the disciplines of Business and Science.  Students will be expected to graduate with a major in one school as well as have 5-day minor program for each year of enrollment.

• Students Must Pass the HSPA

In order to receive a diploma, a pupil must demonstrate proficiency at or above the state levels in reading, writing, and mathematics on the state mandated High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).   Students have three opportunities take the HSPA:  March of their Junior year, October of their Senior year, and March of their Senior year.  A twelfth grade student who has satisfied all other state and local graduation requirements but performs below the state minimum level of proficiency in one or more of the HSPA areas will be provided a Special Review Assessment (SRA) conducted in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.  The New Jersey Department of Education is currently phasing out the SRA program. 

• Pupils with educational disabilities must meet all the graduation requirements established by the State Board rules and school policy.

 In order to graduate, pupils with educational disabilities must meet all the graduation requirements established by State Board rules and school policy, including minimum proficiency levels on the HSPA, curriculum requirements, and attendance standards, unless the pupil’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) exempts the pupil from the requirements

ACADEMIC REVIEW PANEL

Students are evaluated through an Academic Review Panel.  This panel is comprised of community members, board of trustees, teachers, parents, and students.  This Academic Review Panel utilizes a rubric generated by the Curriculum Committee.  This rubric is used as criteria of assessment to evaluate the academic performance of the student for the year, as well as a culminating project in a particular domain which the student chooses.  This holistic process is utilized if an at-risk student is in danger of being held over in a grade.  After reviewing the student’s entire file, the committee will provide a non-binding recommendation to the School Administration as to grade promotion status of a student.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

The small school environment of Camden Academy Charter High School allows the faculty to foster a strong relationship with their students.  This relationship will help students in making personal and/or career decisions.  Guidance interviews are required for all students with their families throughout each year to schedule upcoming classes and post-academy life.

ACADEMIC SELECTION / MAJOR SELECTION

School of Business or School of Science selection is made by all students prior to the beginning of the 10th grade year through the Career Education course.  The course is required for all students and conducted by the school’s guidance department.  The course is designed to prepare students to make informed decisions about their future by exploring 15 Career Clusters.  The Career Clusters contain areas from the Business and Science schools.  At the conclusion of this course students will select a specific area of study, their academic major, in either the School of Business or the School of Science.

The selection process will include the completion of:

• Selection Survey
• Selection Application
• Entrance Essay
• A letter  of Recommendation from a faculty member
• An appearance before an entrance review panel
• Overall review of students academic progress

All students must successfully complete this yearly course to fulfill the requirements for graduation from Camden Academy Charter High School. 

ACADEMY MINOR

Camden Academy Charter High School utilizes a 185-day school year.   Five days of each year will be devoted to an extended learning experience known as the Academy Minor.  These minors provide for additional opportunities for student’s to work in teams, participate in problem solving, carry out extended projects, perform community service, and utilize self-management and self-assessment strategies.  Participation in the Academy Minor Program is a requirement toward graduation.  These experiences are as follows:

• Freshman Immersion:  One week orientation where students become familiar with Camden Academy Charter High School’s policies, procedures, expectations, traditions, opportunities, and student life.  This orientation takes place during the summer prior to the Freshman year. 
• Sophomore Experiences: One week outdoor experience focusing on building self-esteem and leadership training.

• Junior Scholars: One week case model study for students in the School of Business or applied investigative study for students in the School of Science.
• Senior Interns: Summer internship program at various corporations and non-profit organizations in the Camden vicinity.  And/or performing community service.

SENIOR RESEARCH

All students with assistance from faculty advisors, conduct a senior research project, publish their works in a school research journal, and present their work at an end of the year research colloquium.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

The faculty, parents, guidance staff and students will create individual learning plans for the student.  The students will be required to maintain portfolios which best demonstrates their work.  The portfolio will include cumulative case studies and projects developed during each programmatic year.

GENERAL COURSE OF STUDY

English Courses:  World Literature, American Literature, British Literature, Literature and Composition
Mathematics: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus
Science:  Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
History:  World History, US History I, US History II
Foreign Languages:  Spanish I, II, III, IV
Fine and Performing Arts: Art, Music, Percussion Ensemble, Theatrical Arts, and Chorus

School of Business Courses:  Broadcasting I & II, Intro to Business, Economics, Finance, Human Geography, Keyboarding, Media Literacy, Political Science, Principles of Marketing , Public Speaking, and Retail Management

School of Science Courses: Architecture, CADD, Computer Networking, Electrical Engineering, Healthy Lifestyles, Human Biology, Intro to Health Care Professions, Intro to Research, Medical Terminology, and Engineering and Design

AP CLASSES:

**Language & Composition, Literature & Composition, Calculus, Environmental Science, Human Geography, and Spanish Language**
Reflective of its commitment to offer students the most challenging high school curriculum possible, Camden Academy is pleased to offer a variety of AP classes.  These classes are limited to 15 students and acceptance into the program is based on student test scores, teacher recommendations, and personal interviews.  Students are limited to three AP courses their senior year and one their junior year.  All students who take an AP course must sit for the national test in that subject during the spring of the current school year. 

THE HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program at Camden Academy provides students an opportunity to challenge themselves with our most rigorous curriculum.  Beginning their freshman year, students may apply to take core courses at the honors level.  The application consists of a written application and a formal recommendation by a faculty member.

GRADING POLICY

IMMERSION PROGRAMS

As an integral part of our academic experience, all students are required to attend summer and school year immersion programs.  First and second year students attend a three-day camping immersion experience, participating in team-building exercises such as high and low ropes courses, canoeing, and science experiments.  Upper-class students participate in job shadowing and internship experiences as part of their immersion program.  These experiences include partnerships with the following companies and agencies:
Lockheed Martin, L-3, TD Bank, Courier Post, Virtua Health Systems, Walnut Street Theatre, Camden Riversharks, Delaware River Port Authority, Philadelphia Inquirer, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden Police and Fire Departments, New Jersey Adventure Aquarium, Campbell’s Soup, Volunteers of America, Bancroft, Ronald McDonald House, Greater Camden Partnership, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

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