High Schools The Charter School of Excellence High School programs The Leadership Center (East side high school) The Hamilton Center (West side high school) The Hamilton and Leadership Centers offer a public school program for high school students having trouble with academic areas or wanting more flexible hours and possible paid work experience. Teaching methods range from direct instruction to computer assisted/managed instruction, web-based instruction or other alternative curriculum delivery models. Instructors provide ongoing assistance & academic support. Each student helps develop and follows an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) designed to improve his or her baseline math, reading and writing abilities – skills that are essential for future success. All ILP’s are built around an accredited content-based reading approach to help students meet state standards for graduation. Work Experience programming also may enable students to pursue non-academic goals, such as vocational training and experiences that will aid in personal development. We ask our students to be accountable to themselves, their teachers and their community in various ways, including but not limited to the completion of assignments, honoring lessons and assessments to achieve ILP objectives, preparing for and taking standardized tests, achievement on daily computer managed instruction assignments ~ all necessary steps to make steady progress toward a high school diploma or its equivalent. You will grow in confidence and pride as you regularly, consistently and systematically evaluate what you are learning. Evaluation methods will include, but are not limited to: Completion of a minimum number of assignments. Lessons and assessments required pursuant to your Individual Learning Plan. Successful completion of written and computer assignments. Achievement on standardized tests. The School will require you to use the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), as well as other recognized standardized tests. Achievement on daily assignments on the computer managed instruction system. Progress toward acquisition of high school diploma or equivalent. We also recognize the school’s need, as a place of public service, to be accountable to our students & their families. At midterm and at year’s end, a satisfaction survey designed to elicit parent input with regard to anticipated outcomes will be sent home. Throughout the school year, parents will be encouraged to provide input through access to instructional staff by e-mail, US mail, parent/teacher conferences, and phone consultations. Parents will also be involved in meetings where goals are set for each student. Finally, the school’s Board of Directors will hold monthly meetings, inviting parents to attend & to give voice to concerns or suggestions. Special Needs Welcome Meeting the needs of ALL students is our highest goal. We also provide counseling for drug & alcohol and mental health assessment and referral and ongoing counseling through agreements with local mental health and drug and alcohol providers, if necessary For more information or to apply: contact Penny Shaut at the Hamilton Center (West side) 814.459.3954 or Amanda Zboyovski at the Leadership Center (East side) 814.480.5914