B. History and Overview of Riverwood High School 2

RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL PROPOSAL
August 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Statement of Intent1

A. Mission2

B. History and Overview of Riverwood High School 2

1. History of RiverwoodHigh School2

2. Academic Overview3

a. International Studies Magnet Program3

b. International Baccalaureate

Diploma Program (DP)3

c. Advanced Placement (AP)4

d. Honors Courses5

e. World Language Offerings5

f. Special Programs5

g. Extracurricular Activities5

3. Campus Overview6

4. Riverwood Students6

5. Sandy Springs Community9

a. Economic Overview of Sandy Springs9

b. Economic Overview of

Sandy Springs Public Schools9

c. Business and Housing Overview10

d. Demographic Overview10

C. The Future of Riverwood11

1. IB World School11

2. Goals of RiverwoodInternational

CharterSchool (RICS)12

3. History of the RICS Concept12

II. The RiverwoodCharterSchoolPlan 14

A. Retention of effective, existing school-wide programs15

1. Completion Credentials15

2. English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)17

3. Services for Exceptional Children (SEC)17

4. Talented and Gifted Program (TAG) 17

5. International Studies Magnet Program17

6. Career Technology19

7. Professional Learning Communities (PLC)19

B. Curriculum Innovations - The Middle Years Programme21

Implement vertical teaming with

teachers at RidgeviewCharterSchool

to promote continuity for students in the

4th and 5th years of the MYP22

Utilize cross-curricular teaming to provide

interdisciplinary instruction and to encourage

consistency among grade levels and

within departments22

Require MYP training for all teachers of

9th and 10th grades23

Implement MYP “Areas of Interaction” in

alignment with GPS and any remaining QCCs23

Use MYP criterion-referenced

models of assessment24

Require all 10th graders to participate

in self-directed MYP personal project24

C. Specialized Instructional Methods25

Ensure that teachers use best practices to

support standards-based learning opportunities25

IBO Programme standards and practices25
Marzano’s Researched-Based Strategies25
Differentiated Instruction26

Ensure that all teachers use techniques to

support active literacy development for all

students across the curriculum.26

Increase teachers’ and students’ access to

and utilization of technology. 27

D. Program Innovations for Targeted Populations27

Provide student academic intervention and

support during the school day27

Provide Scholastic’s READ 180 Program

for students reading below grade level28

Provide the Heritage Language Program28
Provide transitional plans for students who

are credit deficient31

Implement “Connected Schools,

Connected Communities” Program in partnership

with Cisco, Inc., and Georgia Public Broadcasting32

E. CommunityBuilding Initiatives33

1. Facilitate parental involvement33

2. Develop and expand our business partners

and mentoring program 34

a. Business Partners34

b. School Partners34

3. Enhance our school’s physical environment

to reflect our international focus35

F. Organizational Innovations 37

Use the flexibility in our school schedule

to insure that MYP is accessible and relevant to

students introduced to the MYP for the first time

during the 9th or 10th grades37

Increase the number of 9th grade and sheltered

classes taught by experienced teachers37

Introduce the Premier Agenda Online Program37
Increase representation in upper level courses

to reflect demographics of RICS’s student body38

Limit students’ ability to repeat failed courses. 39

G. Stakeholder Summary39

1. Students’ Role39

2. Teachers/Administrators’ Role40

3. Parents/Community’s Role40

4. Fulton County School System’s Role40

H. Assessment of Charter Goals, Performance

Measures and Targets41

1. Description of Assessment Methods

2. Performance-Based Objectives and Targets42

a. Goal I Assessment43

b. Goal II Assessment44

c. Goal III Assessment50

d. Goal IV Assessment51

e. Goal V Assessment53

3. Teacher Assessment53

I. School Accountability53

III. OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES56

A. Duration56

B. Attendance Zone 56

C. Enrollment and Attendance Information58

D. Discipline Procedures60

E. Student Withdrawal60

F. Student Dismissal60

G. Insurance and Indemnification60

H. Transportation60

I. Food Service60

J. Personnel Usage61

K. Professional Learning Schedule62

L. Facility62

M. School Calendar and Schedule62 N. Grades 64

IV. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTROLS65

A. RICS Budget65

1. Total Revenue66

2. Five-Year Projection67

3. Five-Year Plan69

4. Per Pupil Allocation70

5. Monthly Cash Flow Year 171

6. Monthly Cash flow Year 271

V. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES73

A. Riverwood Governance Council73

1. Statement of Purpose73

2. Roles73

3. Scope and Limitations74

4. Structure74

a. Membership74

b. Elections75

5. Training76

6. Bylaws76

7. Procedures76

8. Schedule77

B. Leadership Team77

VI. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS78

A. Legal Standing78 B. Waiver Requests 78

1. CountyWaivers79

2. State Waivers84

C. Amendment Procedure85

D. Severability 86

E. Governing Law 86

F. Termination 86

G. Contact Information86

I. STATEMENT OF INTENT

It is the intent of the RiverwoodHigh School charter proposal to increase student achievement through academic and organizational innovation in accordance with O.C.G.A. §20-2-2061, the Charter Schools Act of 1998. For over 36 years, our school has consistently been one of the top performing high schools in the state of Georgia in student academic achievement. Riverwood has been a leader in the state when designing unique organizational approaches to better meet the needs of our community. We believe that our charter proposal establishing the Riverwood International Charter School (RICS), will help us continue to meet new challenges and integrate new resources into our school program to keep Riverwood at the forefront of education. Riverwood graduates will enter the world with the technological, academic and interpersonal skills essential to succeed in the global economy and to become productive and active American citizens.

A. Mission

As part of the Riverwood Cluster of schools, RiverwoodHigh School has adopted the following cluster-wide mission, vision, beliefs and values statements.

Vision

The vision of RiverwoodInternationalCharterSchool and the schools in the Riverwood International Cluster is to deliver a challenging curriculum that gives all students the tools needed to be successful, contributing members of our nation and the world. As the leader of our cluster, we embrace our role in this vision as an InternationalBaccalaureateWorldSchool.

Mission

Promote academic excellence for our diverse community by:

Providing a progressive educational community, grades K-12, that includes parent, staff and community collaboration;
Supporting seamless curriculum transitions between the elementary and middle school and between the middle and high school;
Enriching the International Studies Magnet and International Baccalaureate programs offered at RiverwoodHigh School;
Promoting an international focus at the elementary and middle schools

Beliefs

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

A rigorous, challenging, integrated (K-12) academic program with high expectations is essential for students to succeed in a global society.

Education is the responsibility of the entire community working collaboratively.

All children can learn. They learn in different ways and at different rates.

Students benefit from opportunities to serve the community, to enhance interpersonal skills, and to promote positive citizenship skills.

Everyone is entitled to a safe, supportive, and secure learning environment.

Values

Responsibility and accountability
Respect for oneself, others and the environment
Commitment to academic and behavioral excellence
Teamwork and collaboration
Respect and understanding of the world’s cultures, ideas and diversity of peoples
Teaching that actively engages students and provides opportunities for them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a variety of ways
Instruction that is modeled after “best practices” and focused on student learning
Learning that is standards-based and driven by the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)

B. History and Overview of RiverwoodHigh School

1. History of RiverwoodHigh School

Located in the heart of Sandy Springs, RiverwoodHigh School opened its doors in the fall of 1971. One of 14 high schools in FultonCounty, Riverwood has been referred to over the years as the “private public school.” The school has gained a reputation for outstanding academics and equally challenging extra curricular programs.

Anticipating the ever-increasing impact of the global economy on Georgia, Riverwood became the only FultonCounty school to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as part of an International Studies Magnet Program. As a four-year comprehensive high school, Riverwood offers a broad academic program and experiences that address the interpersonal social, physical and academic needs of all students.

2. Academic Overview

Riverwood holds accreditation by the Georgia Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. RICS has affiliated membership in the International Baccalaureate Organization, International Studies Schools Association, the International Education and Resource Network, the International Society for Technology in Education and the Magnet Schools of America.

a. International Studies Magnet Program

Riverwood offers the International Studies Magnet Program, one of four magnet sites in Fulton County Schools. Forty-seven percent (47%) of the student body is enrolled in the International Studies Program. This program of study offers a challenging four-year curriculum with academic strands in International Baccalaureate (IB), Global Studies and International Business. This curriculum focuses on world issues, global economics, cultural awareness and field experiences such as internships and travel.

b. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP)

RICS is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and holds affiliated memberships as part of the International Studies Magnet Program. It is a two-year program for 11th and 12th graders who want an academic challenge and an opportunity to earn a diploma recognized by colleges and universities throughout the world. There are two types of participation: certificate or full diploma completion.

RICS currently offers 29 IB classes and boasts 420 IB seats.Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Diploma Candidates earned the IB Diploma in 2006-07. The US average of Diploma Candidates who earned the IB Diploma is 72 percent. The international average of Diploma Candidates who earned the IB Diploma is 82 percent.

IB offerings include:

20th Century History SL

Biology SL

Chemistry SL

Chemistry HL

Communications

Directed Studies

English 11 SL

English 12 HL

Environmental Systems SL

French B SL

French B HL

History of the Americas HL

Japanese B SL

Japanese B HL

Math SL

Math HL

Math Studies SL

Music SL

Music HL

Physics SL

Psychology SL

Psychology HL

Spanish B SL

Spanish B HL

Theater Arts SL

Theater Arts HL

Theory of Knowledge

Visual Art Design SL

Visual Art Design HL

c. Advanced Placement Courses (AP)

RICS currently offers 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and boasts 391 AP seats for the 2006-07 school year. The overall Advanced Placement pass rate for 2006-07 was 67 percent. Some of the current AP offerings include:

RiverwoodInternationalCharterSchool Proposal

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Biology

CalculusAB

CalculusBC

Chemistry

English Lit/Comp

Environmental Science

European History

French Language

Physics

Psychology

Spanish Language

Studio Art - Drawing

Studio Art – 2D Design

Studio Art – 3D Design

US History

World History

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RiverwoodInternationalCharterSchool Proposal

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d. Honors Courses

RICS currently offers 22 Honors courses and boasts 1,275 Honors seats. Honors course offerings include:

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9th Lit/Comp

10th Lit.Comp

11th Lit/Comp

Algebra II

Biology

Chemistry

French II

French III

French IV

French V

Geometry

Hebrew II

Japanese II

Japanese III

Japanese IV

Japanese V

Pre-Calculus

Pol. Science/Wrld Geography

Spanish II

Spanish III

Spanish IV

Spanish V

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RiverwoodInternationalCharterSchool Proposal

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e. World Language Offerings

In addition to Language Arts and Global Studies, World Language is part of the foundational curriculum for the International Studies Magnet Program. RICS currently offers language programs in Spanish, French, Japanese and Hebrew.

f. Special Programs

RICS meets the needs of a wide variety of learners. It offers Work Based Learning Programs, Inter-Related Resource (IRR), Video Conferencing Lab, Talented and Gifted (TAG) offerings, Virtual High School offerings, ACCEL classes (formerly known as Joint Enrollment/Postsecondary Options), and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

g. Extracurricular Activities

RICS offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities and programs:

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Academic Team

Amnesty International

BETA

Black History Team

CARE

Close-Up to Government

Debate

Educate

Electronic Gaming

Environmental/Recycling

European Union Study Abroad

FBLA

FCA

French Club

GLSEN

Habitat for Humanity

Interact

International Thespian

Invisible Children

Japanese Culture Club

Mock Trial

Model UN

Music Appreciation

National Honor Society

OxfordUniversity Study Abroad

Raiders Digest

Rhiscan

Robotics/Science

Riverwood Players

SADD

Spanish Club

STARS

Student Government

THROW

World Geography Team

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3. Campus Overview

The Riverwood campus is located on 33 acres just north of I-285 in Sandy Springs. The state of the art physical plant offers many features and amenities. These include:

500 seat Performing Arts Center
Culinary Arts Lab with full restaurant kitchen
Broadcast Video Production Lab
Pre-Engineering Lab
Computer Labs (6)
Language Labs (6)
Science Labs (5)
Media Center with twenty-eight (28) Internet Stations
CounselingCenter
College and CareerCenter
Football Stadium
Gyms (2)
Baseball Field
Softball Field and
Tennis Courts (4)

The most recent SPLOST renovations brought expanded learning space in music, theatre, fine arts, health and the physical education departments as well as technology upgrades.

4. Riverwood Students

It is not by accident that we have chosen an international focus at Riverwood. We are home to students from 40 countries, speaking 23 languages and hailing from a wide variety of backgrounds. These students are welcomed into a cohesive learning community through an international curriculum and a number of extracurricular and enhancement opportunities which are detailed throughout this overview. The following represents the attendance classifications of our student body in the 2006-07 school year*:

ESOL 4%

IB 7%

Majority to Minority 6%

Magnet47%

Outside Attendance27%

Special Education 6%

TAG23%

Reimbursement 6%

*Some students may be represented in more than one classification.

Over the last three years, approximately 20 percent of the ninth graders have come to Riverwood from private middle schools in the area. The mobility rate in the school is 27 percent, which is in line with the other schools in Sandy Springs. We anticipate our enrollment numbers will remain consistent in the future.

Riverwood’s Fall and Spring Enrollment for Three Academic Years

(Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Annual Report Card

Accessed at:

Riverwood’s Demographic Numbers for Three Academic Years

(Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Annual Report Card

Accessed at:

2005-20062004-20052003-2004

5. The Sandy Springs Community

The following information is drawn from the 2000 Census, the GADOE Report Card, the Focus Fulton Plan and the City of Sandy Springs Interim 2025 Comprehensive Plan.

a. Economic Overview of Sandy Springs

According to the most recent 2000 Census, Sandy Springs has one of the largest concentrations of higher income households in the entire metro area. The median family income is $85,000. Fifty-four percent (54%) of Sandy Springs families have an average income above $50,000, as compared with 17 percent in the metro Atlanta region. Thirty percent (30%) of the families earn over $100,000 annually, and 20 percent of Sandy Springs families earn more than $200,000 annually. Approximately four percent of families are below the poverty level, and seven percent of the children in Sandy Springs live in poverty. Over half of the Sandy Springs adult population has a college degree, as compared to 26 percent for metro Atlanta, and 20 percent of Sandy Springs residents have an advanced degree.

b. Economic Overview of Sandy Springs’ Public Schools

The economic profile of the public schools, in comparison, does not reflect this picture.

Sandy Springs
Elementary Schools'
Average / Sandy Springs
Middle Schools'
Average / Sandy Springs
High Schools'
Average / Sandy Springs
Total Schools'
Average / FultonCounty
Average / Georgia
Average
Economically Disadvantaged (%) / 60 / 57 / 29 / 52 / 37 / 50

(Source: Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, 2005-2006 Annual Report Card on K – 12 Public Schools,

According to the GADOE 2005-06 Report Card, 27 percent of RICS students qualify for free/reduced lunches.

c. Business and Housing Overview

The area boasts many large corporate headquarters and major employers. These include the headquarters of UPS, Newell Rubbermaid, Seibel Systems, and AT & T. The medical complex includes three major hospitals: Northside, Saint Joseph’s and Children’s Hospital. These hospitals and the corresponding medical buildings are a large industry in Sandy Springs.

The impact this economic engine has on the community is both advantageous and problematic. More people work in Sandy Springs than live here, so the traffic problems are a challenge for everyone in the area, including the Fulton County Schools’ transportation department.

The premier location, however, has made home values very high. The median value of a home in Sandy Springs is $345,200, as compared to $92,300 for the metro area. Eighteen percent (18%) of Sandy Springs homes were valued over $400,000.

A large number of people constantly move in and out of the area. They are drawn by the convenient access to both GA 400 and I-285 and to the growing number of employers. However, few can afford the cost of a house. Consequently, only 30 percent of the residents reside in single-family homes, while 16 percent reside in condominiums, and 54 percent reside in apartments. The apartment dwellers represent a more mobile demographic. Depending upon the location along the busy Roswell Road corridor, 44- 62 percent of apartment dwellers stayed in their current housing unit less than one year (based on 1999 statistics). The further away from the busy corridor, the more stable the population.

d. Demographic Overview

According to the Focus Fulton Plan, the City of Sandy Springs is the seventh largest city in the state of Georgia. It had an estimated 2005 population of 86,698. Approximately 12,000 of these citizens are school-aged children. Approximately 8,000 of these children are in the public schools. The Census 2000 data showed a 21 percent growth rate in our area’s public school attendance zones over the last ten years. By 2010, near the conclusion of our charter, the city’s population is forecast to be 92,529.

The city of Sandy Springs anticipates a 22.10 percent growth rate over the next twenty years.

Sandy Springs is becoming more diverse with the current racial make-up:

12% African American,
3% Asian,
78% Caucasian, and
7% Hispanic (a separate entry in the 2000 Census).

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing segment in the area, having more than tripled between 1990 and 2000.

C. The Future of Riverwood

Given our rich, successful history and our continued “tradition of excellence,” we now envision an exciting future for our school community.

1. InternationalBaccalaureateWorldSchool

We have the long-term vision of becoming an InternationalBaccalaureateWorldSchool authorized to offer both the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. We will embrace the mission of the IBO school-wide.

The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.