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Natomas Charter School

Charter | K-12 | 1375 students

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4 stars

Based on 69 ratings

Teacher quality

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Parent involvement

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52 reviews of this school

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Posted July 28, 2005

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Hi, I'm one of the teachers at Natomas Charter's Leading Edge Program. At Leading Edge, we strive to be both challenging and fun. We have so many great things about our program: great parent involvement, field trips, chances for students to perform, smaller class sizes (max. 26 students), etc. I personally believe that parent involvement is the key ingredient to our success--when the parents care, their kids care. As teachers, we're continually working to make our program better! I love working here!
—Submitted by a teacher

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Posted June 27, 2005

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LEADING EDGE PROGRAM: This is a very good program, provided you have a highly motivated and self-disciplined child. For those who have an 'average' kid that needs reminders to do homework, this will be a challenging school for both child and parent. The teachers are good, however academic demands and expectations are extremely high, heavy loads of homework every night and some weekends. Almost every teacher has their own major 'event' which equates to many hours at the art stores or in the garage churning out project after project. Most of the activities are well organized and most 'parents' receive good grades for their projects. Classes are at an accelerated pace, which can frustrate an average child. Overall, its a decent school and a better option than Natomas Middle School, but its a lot of work for both parent and child.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted December 29, 2004

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I love Natomas Charter. My daughter is receiving the same education as she was at a nearby private school.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted December 2, 2004

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I have students in both the PFAA and PACT programs. Both programs are well run. The administration staff is very objective and holds the students and parents accountable for their actions. The PFAA, being an on campus program, insures the students are punished accordingly when they break the rules. Even minor infractions are dealt with quickly and objectively. This is a safe campus for students to express themselves. Unlike other choices in this district, your child will excel in this calm, free spirited enviorment. The PFAA program also offers the students a great geneneral education, with curriculum simular to the other middle and high schools in the district. The teachers are doing a great job getting the core subjects taught, while allowing the students freedom to express their creativity. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by T Spradlin, a parent

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Posted July 30, 2004

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this is one of the best schools in california i would say. i am very pleased with all of the programs and all of the arts and high standards of education. want your children to be a very sucessful person in life send them to this high standard school of arts or education.
—Submitted by a student

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Posted February 4, 2004

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I am impressed by the diversity of programs offered on one school site. The API scores and rankings are evidence supporting what I see as a unique and supportive school with an incredible faculty and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted January 27, 2004

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The PACT program at Natomas Charter school is the absolute best way to educate your child. The program enables parents to teach their children in the home, while also providing optional on-site classes for them to attend. These range from writing skills and math to computer classes to dance and music. The off-site classes make it possible to expose children to activities that they may never try otherwise, such as fencing or tae kwon do. The field trips are awesome and allow children that are home-schooled to get together and enjoy learning in real-life settings. The leadership cares about the children and the parents too. The advisors are always ready to help with anything we as educators need. The staff is well-informed and always friendly and helpful. I recommend this school to any parent that cares about their child's education and up-bringing. I have been educating through here since 1997.
—Submitted by Karin Clayton, a parent

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Posted October 25, 2003

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We have had children in 3 of the 4 programs at this school. Wouldn't want to enroll them in any other school. We have been very pleased these past 8 years at Natomas Charter.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 15, 2003

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I have a 4 year old grandson who just started a couple of months ago. It's great!!! The PACT program provides wonderful optional classes as well as spectacular field trips at no cost or very low cost (less than 5$). The resource center and educational advisors provide complete support. Materials are provided at no cost. There are two monthly meetings for parents and a study center which makes it easy to connect with other families who homeschool. Very nice community feeling. We feel so lucky to have found this opportunity.
—Submitted by Freda Brown, a parent

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Posted September 22, 2003

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it has helped my child grow as an artist.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted August 12, 2003

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My child attended both private and public school before Natomas Charter (both well known in the County). She has attended the Performing and Fine Arts Academy for the past three years. We are both absolutely thrilled with the quality of education and with the extra curricular activities. With the exception of one of the arts teachers, all teachers are of the highest caliber. I find that they go beyond the standard school day, taking time before, after school and at lunch, if necessary, to assist any student that asks. Very responsive to both email and phone messages from parents & students. Excellent office staff and administrators. We will be there another three years (7-12 grade). We also like the diversity. Students are not only from Sacramento County, but the surrounding counties as well.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted July 28, 2003

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As the parent of a G.A.T.E. student, my two-year stint at Natomas Charter was a grueling one. From eliteous cliques to ignorant instructors, Natomas Charter's culture is more comparable to that of a continuation school than a prominent charter school. Natomas Charter's greatest attribute is its location; otherwise, it is a poorly-managed educational institution. Their API score speaks directly to the lack of experience and knowledge of their staff. Aesthetically, Natomas Charter is an awesome school, but if you're interested in substance-you'd be better off elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

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4600 Blackrock Drive
Sacramento, CA 95835
Website: Click here
Phone: (916) 928-5353

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All Students	47%
Females	n/a
Males	43%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	47%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	43%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	48%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	48%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	50%
Females	n/a
Males	57%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	47%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	52%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	52%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	52%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	46%
Females	n/a
Males	43%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	44%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	50%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	56%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	45%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	53%
Females	n/a
Males	46%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	47%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	58%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	65%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	52%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	87%
Females	94%
Males	80%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	89%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	87%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	90%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	88%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	88%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	62%
Females	65%
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	75%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	67%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	63%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	62%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	31%
Females	19%
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	31%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	32%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	33%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	31%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	72%
Females	72%
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	77%
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	73%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	83%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	71%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	79%
Females	84%
Males	69%
African American	57%
Asian	83%
Filipino	75%
Hispanic or Latino	76%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	87%
Economically disadvantaged	65%
Non-economically disadvantaged	85%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	81%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	80%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	64%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	81%
Parent education - college graduate	76%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	91%
Parent education - declined to state	77%

All Students	98%
Females	100%
Males	94%
African American	n/a
Asian	100%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	92%
Economically disadvantaged	100%
Non-economically disadvantaged	97%
Students with no reported disability	97%
Fluent-English proficient and English only	98%
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	100%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	100%
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	74%
Females	76%
Males	69%
African American	62%
Asian	91%
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	60%
White (not Hispanic)	81%
Economically disadvantaged	61%
Non-economically disadvantaged	79%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	75%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	75%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	63%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	78%
Parent education - college graduate	74%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	88%
Parent education - declined to state	73%

All Students	66%
Females	70%
Males	63%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	80%
Economically disadvantaged	65%
Non-economically disadvantaged	67%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	67%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	65%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	86%
Parent education - college graduate	47%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	51%
Females	50%
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	67%
Economically disadvantaged	36%
Non-economically disadvantaged	59%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	50%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	52%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	55%
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	95%
Females	96%
Males	92%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	100%
Hispanic or Latino	97%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	97%
Economically disadvantaged	92%
Non-economically disadvantaged	96%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	95%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	95%
Migrant education	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	100%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	100%
Parent education - college graduate	93%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	92%
Parent education - declined to state	85%

All Students	18%
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	18%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	n/a
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	40%
Females	32%
Males	55%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	25%
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	33%
Non-economically disadvantaged	44%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	39%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	41%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	82%
Females	75%
Males	95%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	74%
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	83%
Economically disadvantaged	80%
Non-economically disadvantaged	83%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	81%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	83%
Gifted and talented	100%
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	80%
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	79%
Parent education - college graduate	86%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	100%
Parent education - declined to state	64%

All Students	22%
Females	n/a
Males	25%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	22%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	22%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	9%
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	27%
Females	n/a
Males	n/a
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	n/a
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
Pacific Islander	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Non-economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	27%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	27%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	n/a
Parent education - college graduate	n/a
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

All Students	20%
Females	8%
Males	44%
African American	n/a
Asian	n/a
Filipino	27%
Hispanic or Latino	n/a
American Indian or Alaska Native	n/a
White (not Hispanic)	24%
Economically disadvantaged	28%
Non-economically disadvantaged	18%
Students with disability	n/a
Students with no reported disability	21%
English learner	n/a
Fluent-English proficient and English only	21%
Gifted and talented	n/a
Parent education - not a high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - high school graduate	n/a
Parent education - some college (includes AA degree)	16%
Parent education - college graduate	19%
Parent education - graduate school/post graduate	n/a
Parent education - declined to state	n/a

Ethnicity	This school	State average
White	45%	28%
Hispanic or Latino	19%	49%
African American	14%	7%
Asian	11%	8%
Filipino	7%	3%
Multiple or No Response	3%	3%
American Indian or Alaska Native	1%	1%
Pacific Islander	1%	1%

	This school	District average	State average
English language learners ¹	3%	N/A	24%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program ²	23%	N/A	52%

Language	This school	State average
Spanish	50%	85%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog)	21%	1%
Punjabi	8%	1%
Urdu	8%	0%
Lao	4%	0%
Tigrinya	4%	0%
Vietnamese	4%	2%

	This school	District average	State average
Average years teaching in district	7	N/A	11
Average years teaching	11	N/A	13

	This school	District average	State average
Full credential	86%	N/A	96%
Emergency credential or waiver	14%	N/A	2%

Natomas Charter School

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4 stars

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52 reviews of this school

896

+19

10 / 10

10 / 10

API Growth scores over time

Did this school meet the API goal this year?

API Growth scores by subgroup

Did this school meet all the API goals for student subgroups this year?

896

What is the API?

+19

Change from 2011 to 2012

10 / 10

API Statewide Rank (2011)

10 / 10

API Similar Schools Rank (2011)

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

English Language Arts

Math

Science

About the tests

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

Algebra I

English Language Arts

Math

About the tests

Algebra I

English Language Arts

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

Geometry

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative

Science

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology/Life Sciences

Earth Science

English Language Arts

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)

Geometry

Integrated/Coordinated Science 1

World History

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology/Life Sciences

Chemistry

Earth Science

English Language Arts

Geometry

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)

Science

World History

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology/Life Sciences

Chemistry

Earth Science

Are you
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Specific academic themes or areas of focus	Science Technology
School facilities	Computer lab Garden/Greenhouse Science lab

Specific academic themes or areas of focus	Arts (all) Music Performing arts Visual arts
School facilities	Art room Music room Performance stage
Visual arts	Ceramics Design Drawing / sketching Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture
Music	Band Chamber music Choir / Chorus Instrumental music lessons Jazz band Orchestra Rock band Theory Vocal lessons / coaching
Performing and written arts	Creative writing Dance Drama Improv Poetry
Media arts	Computer animation Graphics Technical design and production Video / Film production

Instructional and/or curriculum models used	Accelerated credit learning Gifted / high performing
Extra learning resources offered	Acceleration
College preparation / awareness resources offered	College prep programs/courses during the year College presentations or information sessions Community college courses SAT/ACT prep classes School-sponsored trips to college campuses

School Leader's name	Charlie Leo
Best ways for parents to contact the school	Phone
Gender	Coed
Is there an application process?	Yes
Fax number	(916) 928-5333

Instructional and/or curriculum models used Don't understand these terms?	Accelerated credit learning Diversity of Programs Gifted / high performing Independent Study Individually guided instruction Project-based Standards-based Virtual school
Specific academic themes or areas of focus Don't understand these terms?	Arts (all) Music Performing arts Science Service learning Technology Visual arts
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered Don't understand these terms?	No

Extra learning resources offered	Acceleration Career/college counseling Counseling Differentiated learning programs Mentoring Remediation
College preparation / awareness resources offered	College prep programs/courses during the year College presentations or information sessions Community college courses SAT/ACT prep classes School-sponsored trips to college campuses
School facilities	Access to sports fields Art room Audiovisual aids Cafeteria College/career center Computer lab Garden/Greenhouse Gym Internet access Learning lab Library Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium") Music room Performance stage Science lab

Boys sports	Basketball Cheerleading Flag football Wrestling
Girls sports	Track Volleyball

Dress Code	Dress code
Bullying policy	This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement	Attend parent nights Chaperone school trips Coach sports teams or extracurricular activities Join PTO/PTA Monitor the playground Organize cultural events Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.) Present special topics during curricular units Serve on school improvement team or governance council Tutor Volunteer in the classroom Volunteer time after school

Students accepted for the 2011-2012 school year	300
Applications received for the 2011-2012 school year	750