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Alta Vista Charter High School
In 1989, GCI initiated discussions with the De La Salle Education Center in response to high dropout rates in the community. (The dropout rate among Hispanics exceeds that of other major minority populations in Kansas City and nationwide.) De La Salle was more than willing to serve Hispanic students, but few were willing to go to their site. For this reason, GCI entered a partnership with De La Salle to establish Alta Vista Charter High School in 1990. In this operation, De La Salle provides instructors and GCI furnishes the facility, materials, curriculum, and general policies. DeLaSalle provided the instructors and instructional model. As the school grew GCI took more responsibility for the entire operation. In 1998 GCI approached the University of Central Missouri (UCM) to seek a charter to operate a school to serve at risk students. In 1999, the UCM approved the Alta Vista Charter High School. The UCM with their charter sponsor provides oversight, program and instructional development assistance. TARGET POPULATION Alta Vista plans to serve 180 high school Latino and urban core students within the boundaries of the KCMO School District. The 2005-06 school year population was 81% free or reduced lunch a clear correlation to low income status. Enrollment for our current school year reveals a student body of 85% Hispanic, 10% African-American, and 5% Anglo with almost half from Spanish-language dominant homes!
The primary source for reaching new participants continues to be "word of mouth." This population is also accessed via various venues including outreach activities that utilize Spanish/English print media and radio. Alta Vista also receives referrals from other alternative and charter schools.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AVHS provides culturally appropriate and comprehensive educational services to at-risk high school students. The main feature of the school is small classroom sizes with a ratio of 16:1 that maximize instructional contact time. Special services are available for students who are limited English speaking or have learning disabilities. The school maintains bilingual administrative and instructional staff to assist students and parents where language may pose barriers. The school understands that incoming students arrive with reading and math proficiencies that are at a minimum three years below grade level, yet the instructional design stresses preparedness for post secondary education and training.
The 2006-2007 school year began an early college instructional model that will allow students to earn significant college credits before they leave high school. This model is being supported by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Support from this effort will be used to develop curriculum and instructors, prepare students overcome academic challenges related to their past educational experiences, and prepare them for the possibility of college. Alta Vista is one of the first of 12 cohorts of the NCLR Early College Program (ECP), four are alternative school conversions. The project will eventually expand to 24 cohorts within five years. The cohort has also developed into a professional learning community where networking takes place twice a year to share progress and strategies. NCLR also utilizes these gatherings to bring educators and consultants to develop the program. Alta Vista's college partner will be with Penn Valley Community College.
Aside from educational services we offer an extensive variety of counseling and intervention services through GCI for the support of students including: drug and substance abuse counseling, behavior and anger management, emergency assistance, teen mother support, vocational support, job counseling and employment opportunities.
To view a copy of Alta Vista's Charter High School Audit for 2007 click here.
To view a copy of the Complaint Procedures for Federal Programs click here.
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