Features

The first step in a proposed plan to shift half of Berkeley High students into small school programs came Wednesday as the city school board unanimously bestowed formal small school designation on the already existing Communication Arts and Sciences program at the high school. 

Matt Huxley, the newly appointed Vice Principal in charge of overseeing the small school program, said the new school “models the process and serves as an example so that other schools can be established,” said Huxley. 

The school board originally approved the plan to shift Berkeley High students into small schools in June of this year, mandating the shift of at least 50 percent of students by the 2005-2006 school year. 

Currently Berkeley High has a number of small learning communities that model the same ideas as a small school. 

Coming off a period where Berkeley High saw several top administrators come and go, Huxley is excited about moving forward on the small schools program. 

“Small schools aren’t for everyone,” said Huxley. “But they do create a more personal learning environment.” 

Huxley said the programs offer a unique ability to meet student’s needs outside of academics, something that sometimes isn’t addressed at larger schools. He says that beyond academics, small schools can address the students’ social and emotional needs through more personal attention from teachers and more personal interaction among the students in each school. 

Communications Arts and Sciences was initially developed in 1997—so for those working on the project, the school board’s vote means a large step in the shift towards these new learning programs. 

No definitive plans are laid out for the development of other small schools but Huxley says that those involved are planning a retreat sometime during the fall to address the future of the program. For now, Huxley, Ayers and everyone else involved will be working to develop the administrative structure for the first small school.