University Preparatory
Academy
Student-Family
Handbook
Table of Contents
I. Welcome to University Preparatory Academy 1
Vision and History of UPA 1
Charter Schools 1
II. Overview of the Educational Program at UPA 1
Mission 1
The Mission in Practice 1
Expected School Wide Learning Results (ESLR's) 2
Educational Philosophy 2
Learning Environment 2
Curriculum and Instructional Design 2
Plan for Academically Low and High Achieving Students 3
English Language Learners 3
Special Education 3
At-Risk Programming 4
The Student Success Team (SST) 4
III. Middle School Promotion and High School Graduation Requirements 4
Middle School Promotion Requirements 4
High School Graduation Requirements 4
* An additional year highly recommended 5
Academic Performance Assessment 5
Student Assessment 5
Grading Policy 5
IV. Governance Structure 6
Non-Profit Status 6
Governance Structure of University Preparatory Academy 6
V. Family and Community Involvement at UPA 6
UPA's Philosophy for Parent Involvement 6
Parent Agreement 7
Back to School Night 8
VI. School Information and Procedures 8
School Calendar 8
Bell Schedule 8
Textbooks 8
Parent/Teacher Conferences 8
Parent Visitations 8
Physical Education Requirement 9
Counseling and Guidance Services 9
Students' Safety Before and After School 9
Restitution for Lost or Destroyed Property 9
Emergency and Safety Procedures 9
Site Emergency Plan 10
Child Abuse 10
Exclusion from School Attendance 10
Homeless Assistance 10
Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit Drugs 10
Classroom Materials Policy 10
Emergency Data 11
Emergency Release from School 11
Leaving School During the Day 11
Field Trips and Field Trip Safety 11
Student Health 12
Administration of Medication 12
Confidential Medical Services 13
Illness 13
Immunizations 13
VII. Family, School and Student Policies 14
Common Dress 14
Enforcement of Common Dress 15
Homework 15
Academic Integrity..................................................................................................................................................................15
Attendance/Absences from School 15
Tardy Policy 16
Closed Campus.......................................................................................................................................................16
Safety of Self and Others..................................................................................................................................................17
Respect of Property 17
Internet Use at UPA 17
Office Referrals 17
VIII. Student and Parent Rights and Responsibilities 18
Parents Rights and Responsibility 18
Child Abuse 18
Civil Rights Complaints 18
Instructional Use of Animals 18
Insurance/Student Injuries 18
Moves-Family Residential 19
Police Officers Interviewing Students While on Campus 19
Pupil Progress 19
Student Records 19
Student/Parental Financial Liability 20
IX. Student Behavior Guidelines 20
Compliance 20
Academic Integrity Policy 20
Dress Code 21
Free Dress 21
Mobile and Electronic Devices 21
Limits to Freedom of Speech 21
Vehicle Control 21
Student Driver/Vehicle Rules and Expectations 22
Detention 22
Expulsion 22
Corporal Punishment 22
Bullying (Intentional Harassment) 22
Hazing 23
Searches 23
Vandalism/Malicious Mischief 23
X. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION 23
UPA Philosophy on Suspension and Expulsion 23
Suspension Policy 23
Authority to Suspend 24
Parent Notification 24
Expulsion Policy 25
Expulsion Procedures 26
XI. Communication at UPA 27
The Importance of Home/School Communication 27
Formal Grievance/Complaint Procedure 27
UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FORM..............................................................................................................................29
ATTACHMENT 1: SCHOOL CALENDAR.....................................................................................................30
ATTACHMENT 2: BELL SCHEDULE............................................................................................................31
ATTACHMENT 3: ELECTRONIC and MOBILE DEVICES 32
ATTACHMENT 4: STUDENT DRIVER/VEHICLE RULES and EXPECTATIONS 33
ATTACHMENT 5: STUDENT DRIVER/VEHICLE PERMIT APPLICATION 34
ATTACHMENT 6: UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FORM 35
7/29/2015
iv
I. Welcome to University Preparatory Academy
We welcome you and your family to a community of learners in pursuit of an excellent education for all students. We are a school based on the belief that strength in education is in the partnership of parents, students, staff and community. We deeply value the commitment you have made to send your student to UPA and to become an active participant in our teaching and learning community.
Please take time to review with your student the information and policies in this Handbook. Although it is not intended to be an official policy manual, we hope it will serve as a useful reference to you while your child is enrolled in University Preparatory Academy.
We encourage you to ask questions so that you fully understand UPA's expectations for student academic performance and positive behavior. We expect that each individual will be treated with dignity and respect, and that there will be an appreciation for the diversity of our students, parents and staff.
We welcome your involvement in University Preparatory Academy as we work together in preparing our students to enter and excel in the best colleges and universities in the nation.
Vision and History of UPA
The vision of UPA was borne out of the belief that every child has the right to an excellent education. Starting with three retired educators with over one hundred years of cumulative public school experience in teaching and administration at the school and district level, and a financial manager, we dedicated two and one half years to planning the design and implementation of the school with an opening date of August 2007. The Santa Clara County Office of Education approved University Preparatory Academy in December of 2006. Our founding team's development effort have been praised by state officials, school district leaders, educators, students, parents, and community members of San Jose.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted in California is 5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-in our case, the Santa Clara County Office of Education -- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them and the public that funds them.
II. Overview of the Educational Program at UPA
Mission
University Preparatory Academy's mission is to prepare a diverse population of 7-12th grade students in Santa Clara County to enter and excel in the best colleges and universities in the nation.
The Mission in Practice
UPA seeks those students who may be under supported, overlooked or under challenged in a large school environment, and would thrive in a highly intensive, supportive and interpersonal environment. UPA's overall vision is to empower the community through powerful teaching and learning and to provide students with the core academic and life learning skills to enable them to be positive, successful contributors in their communities. High student academic achievement is an utmost priority in UPA's mission. UPA offers an intensive college preparatory curriculum in a small school environment integrating academics and performing arts, advisory and leadership, and technology throughout the curriculum, as tools to actualize the unique skills and talents of each student. UPA is a high quality, dynamic school that provides students with a new version of the Three R's: rigorous academic course work; meaningful relationships with teachers who can help students meet high standards; and relevant learning opportunities that inspire inside and outside the classroom.
Expected School Wide Learning Results (ESLR's)
UPA students will:
• possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• demonstrate mastery of and apply mathematical and scientific concepts
• think critically and creatively
• utilize a global perspective
• be technologically fluent
• practice and value the visual and performing arts
• exhibit leadership skills that demonstrate personal and social responsibility
Educational Philosophy
UPA gives students an academically demanding educational program in which they can pursue a college preparatory education, develop unique interests, uncover hidden talents, experience satisfaction in accomplishments, and gain a sense of responsibility. UPA also works to prepare each student with the life skills necessary for personal success in a world that needs each person to care enough to make a positive difference. Technology is integrated in the academic pursuits, and UPA offers an arts program to help students build a frame of reference and knowledge base for future learning experiences.
Learning Environment
We believe that learning best occurs in our small school environment where students have access to a rigorous, standards-based curriculum taught by a highly qualified teaching faculty and strong administrative leadership with continuous relevant professional growth. UPA provides the necessary additional support students need in order to master the curriculum and gain the life skills necessary for success. The small school setting allows students, teachers, staff and parents to develop common bonds and positive, productive relationships that are conducive to a highly effective teaching and learning environment.
Curriculum and Instructional Design
The fundamental components of UPA's instructional program are described below:
RIGOROUS, STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM: UPA meets the California academic standards and ensures that core high school courses meet the University of California’s "a-g" requirements. All students must fulfill the "a-g" requirements with grades of C or higher with mastery of course state standards. There is only a college preparatory track with two Advanced Placement Courses required for all students to successfully complete. Students will have approximately two and one half hours of homework nightly.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING APPROACH: UPA focuses on identifying and meeting individualized needs of each student through a small school setting, guidance and counseling, Advisory, grade level testing and supplemental support. UPA will help each student develop his/her personal mission, set goals and know what it will take to achieve those goals and work towards realizing them.
SMALL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: UPA is designed on the premise that all students thrive in a small school environment allowing students and teachers to develop supportive, long-term relationships that allow for better conditions for teaching and learning.
ADVISORY: Students meet with their Advisory Teacher in a college-going environment that focuses on learning academic and personal strategies needed to be successful at gaining admission to the leading colleges and universities in the nation. These skills and strategies will prepare students to meet the challenges that each will face in pursuing higher education. The class also focuses on leadership techniques and practices that will contribute to students becoming responsible leaders in their communities.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT: UPA's school day is approximately seven hours and the school year includes a total of 186 instructional days. In addition to a longer school day and a longer school year, supplemental instruction is provided through: support classes, extended day tutoring, on-line academic support, peer tutoring, at-risk programming, computer-based reinforcement, summer school and academic mentoring.
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS: Visual and performing arts are the foundation of our elective program. Study in the arts is a condition of graduation. Our program includes art, instrumental music, dance, theater arts, technology, journalism, and multimedia courses. UPA believes in the importance of the arts not only as a means to enrich a student's understanding of the past and present, but also as an advanced form of communication and expression, and an academic tool to broaden a student's ability to approach a problem or situation. In learning the arts a student is required to observe, analyze, synthesize, create and evaluate utilizing higher level thinking skills.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT: Parents/guardians (parents) are critical to the success of our school by being active partners with UPA in the education of their student. Parents oversee student's daily homework, attendance and his/her adherence to the expectations that UPA forwards. Parents are involved in the school community by contributing at least sixty hours of volunteer time annually to supporting their own student 's academic success, parent organizations, governance committees, fund raising efforts, and participation in school activities, meetings, programs, and showcases, as well as communications with staff and teachers.
DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL STAFF: UPA has effective academic and organizational leaders, including teachers, administrators and support staff who understand that great schools require great leadership. All teachers are credentialed, highly qualified and have expertise in their subject areas. They are passionate, scholarly and committed to the mission of UPA. The teachers are dedicated to what is best for students in a differentiated classroom that meets the need of the individual student. All instructional staff actively participate in continuous growth through relevant, professional development.
Plan for Academically Low and High Achieving Students
Utilizing Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress assessments, new students entering UPA are assessed in the areas of English/language arts and math. An individual evaluation is completed for each student to determine academic strengths and areas of weakness. This initial student assessment allows UPA staff to identify students with special needs and evaluate the learning needs of each student as well as appropriate course placement.
English Language Learners
UPA ensures that English Language Learners (ELL) have access to the full range of educational opportunities that UPA has to offer. UPA complies with all applicable federal law in regard to services and the education of English Language Learner (ELL) students, and re-designates English Language Learner students as English proficient when appropriate.
Special Education
Eligibility for special education and services is predicated on extensive testing and consultation with Special Education teachers and school psychologists.
At-Risk Programming
Students in danger of not promoting or graduating, or who have earned at least 2 grades below 70% are identified early in the semester and a rigorous program of intervention is developed for them. The interventions may include:
At-Risk student status conferences that may include the teacher, Advisory teacher, student, parent and administrators
Written communication to parents for students who continue to earn grades less then 70%
Academic probation resulting in restrictions during the day and after school that have students focused on improvement and communication with teachers.
The Student Success Team (SST)
SST is a problem-solving and coordinating approach that assists students, families, and teachers to seek positive solutions for maximizing student potential. It provides an opportunity for school staff, parents, and other important people in the life of the student to present their concerns about individual students and through discussion and study, to plan a positive course of action, assign responsibilities, and monitor results. The team oversees the development of plans to meet students' needs, if possible, without referral to assessment for special education needs. The team will monitor students' progress.
III. Middle School Promotion and High School Graduation Requirements
Middle School Promotion Requirements
In order to ensure student success in high school, all 8th grade students will be considered for promotion to the 9th grade based on the following criteria:
• Proficiency level on the CST in Language Arts and Math
• Passing UPA core classes with a grade of C- or higher