A Big Picture Inspired School

COASTAL CONNECTIONS

A Big Picture Inspired School

“Merging Student Interest with Academic Success”

Admission Process

Introduction:

The Coastal Connections Program offers students the chance to be involved in a nontraditional high school experience. It provides students with a smaller, more supportive learning atmosphere which individualizes the learning experience while focusing on interest based learning opportunities. Coastal Connections is inspired by the Big Picture Learning (BPL) Model (see bigpicturelearning.org). This model understands that “each child has unique interests, needs, and abilities” and that “the key to achievement lies in fostering students’ individual interests and encouraging their active participation in the learning process.” There are currently over 130 BPL schools in existence in the United States and around the world including three in Connecticut (Bloomfield, Lisbon, and Storrs). Coastal Connections will be committed to developing “interest-generated, real-world, personalized learning” opportunities for each student. We will accomplish this while meeting state and local graduation standards.

Program Description:

Coastal Connections is inspired by the Big Picture Learning Model which provides individualized learning experiences with input from advisors, parents, mentors as well as the students themselves. The school is organized around an advisory model wherein students stay with the same advisor (teacher) for their entire high school experience. Personalized Learning Plans are developed quarterly by the students with staff, mentor, and parental input. The learning goals focus on five key skill areas: empirical reasoning, quantitative reasoning, communication, social reasoning, and personal qualities. Students are expected to participate in an assortment of internship placements supervised by an on- site mentor within our local communities during school hours (two days per week). Examples of internships may include being placed with a local veterinarian, auto repair/body shop, bakery, law office, hospital, or day care facility.

Referral/In-take Process:

Referrals can be made throughout the school year by:

• Students
• Parents
• School personnel (administrators, counselors and teachers)

Students must:

• Have demonstrated through previous academic performance that the traditional model of education has not been effective
• Have the interpersonal skills necessary to be successful as a member of the student body and be able to work independently in a chosen internship
• Have the potential for motivation, integrity and a positive work ethic
• Be committed to exploring a nontraditional educational setting (this includes the family)
• Not have a recent history of significant antisocial or violent behavior

East Lyme and Salem students who are entering high school as ninth graders or who are currently in the ninth grade are encourage to apply. However, all students/applicants will be considered.

Step 1: Informational Meeting

The first step in the admissions process is for the student and their parent/guardian to attend an informational meeting with the Coastal Connections staff.

To set up an informational meeting contact:

Dr. Michael Sullivan, Program Director

(860) 691-4424

.

Step 2: 2 or3-Day Visit

The student will spend two to three consecutive days visiting the program to determine whether of not they would like to proceed with the application process. This allows both the student and the staff members to informally evaluate whether or not this might be a good fit for the student.

Step 3: Written Application

Each student, in conjunction with the student’s parent/guardian, must complete a Coastal Connections application (see attached document). The Coastal Connections staff believes that family involvement is critical to the overall success of every student. Each family and student candidate needs to carefully reflect on the following points. Those reflections need to be submitted as part of the application process. They include:

Student Candidate:

1. Why do you feel that you need anontraditional high school setting?
2. Why are you interested in Coastal Connections?
3. Share an example of an accomplishment which makes you very proud?
4. What are you passionate about? Describe something that you really enjoy doing and learning about and explain why it interests you. Please be specific.

Parent/Guardian:

1. Why do you feel your child needs an option to the traditional high school setting?
2. What is your son/daughter passionate about?
3. What are your expectations for Coastal Connections? Please be specific.

Step 4: Interview

The students and his/her parent/guardian must participate in a personal interview. The interview team will include the following:

1. Student
2. Parent/Guardian
3. Program Director
4. Advisors/Teachers
5. LTI (Internship) Coordinator

Note: For enrollment consideration, the student must demonstrate (through the application process) a motivation to succeed in the Coastal Connections Program. He/she must also make a commitment to attend school on a regular basis, actively participate, and to conduct himself/herself in a respectful manner.

Student Candidate:

#1: Why do you feel that you need an option other than the traditional high school setting (use back of application if needed)?

#2: Why are you interested in Coastal Connections?

#3: Share an example of an accomplishment which makes you very proud?

#4: What are you passionate about? Describe something that you really enjoy doing and learning about and explain why it interests you. Be specific?

Parent/Guardian:

#1: Why do you feel your child needs an option to the traditional high school setting?

#2: What is your son/daughter passionate about?

#3: What are your expectations for Coastal Connections? Please be specific.

Application for Admission to Coastal Connections

Students Name

LastFirstMiddle

Address

StreetCityStateZip Code

Birth DateGenderMF

Current Year at ELHS Sophomore Junior Senior(circle one)

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name Last First

Home Phone ( )______Work Phone ( )______

Cell Phone ( )______Student’s Cell Phone ( )______

I hereby give permission for my son/daughter to apply to Coastal Connections.

Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

Note: Once you have completed the student/parent/guardian questionnaire, please schedule a personal interview.

Office Use Only: Please do not fill out below this line:

Credit Status:__

Absences/tardies (current school year): AbsencesTardies

Office referrals:

Student has an IEP: YesNo (please circle):

Student has a 504 Plan:YesNo(please circle):