Keeping up-to-date with BHS & Academic Choice

The best way to keep up to date on AC and BHS news and events is by subscribing to the Academic Choice and Berkeley High e-lists. To subscribe to the AC e-list, send an e-mail to: academicchoice-request@lists.berkeleypta.org with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.

Subscribe to the Berkeley High e-tree by sending an e-mail to bhs-request@idiom.com with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.

Mark your calendars: End-of-summer picnic for AC families! Sunday, August 24, 4:00-6:00 pm.
Students and their families are welcome!

Please be sure save the date for our AC End of Summer Family Picnic. This year, the picnic will held at Berkeley High School, on the BHS Green behind the C Building. We will be sending you a mailing with a reminder about the picnic in July.

Welcome to Academic Choice at Berkeley High!

To those of you who will be new to BHS and Academic Choice in the 2008-2009 school year, WELCOME!

The spring AC General Parent Meeting was held on May 8th, 2008 to welcome new parents to AC, and inform all families of proposed program changes and enhancements. If you were unable to attend and wish to review the meeting notes, click here. A number of important items were discussed, including restructuring of the 11th grade AC American Literature class, development of new content for the 11th grade AC US History class, and the proposed new senior thesis requirement.

Academic Choice is looking for parents to fill a number of volunteer positions and we urge new parents, especially, to get involved. There are a number of leadership positions available, as well as short-term casual jobs that can be done in your home on your own schedule. Click here for a list of our volunteer needs, and contact Kate Spohr if you think you can help or have questions about volunteering.

Have a great summer and we'll see you in the fall! Questions? please contact Jane Wise.

Your donations at work

To make a contribution of financial support to the AC program, please click here. Below are some of the ways that AC has put parent and community donations to work to make a difference every day for the 1836 students enrolled in the AC program in 2007-2008:

AC Teacher Professional Development
AC provides funds for substitute teachers to allow AC English and History teachers to have time off to develop curriculum for their classes.

9th & 10th Grade Student Assessment in English Language Arts and Reading
Three (3) times a year, AC students’ English Language Arts and Reading skills are evaluated, targeted, and supported.  This assessment allows AC teachers to find student weaknesses and act accordingly in a more timely manner than ever before.  The per student cost is ~ $26.

Social Living Curriculum Development and Materials  
This program funds the 9th & 10th grade Social Living Course which educates students about drugs, alcohol, and sexually- transmitted diseases.  This fund supports program teachers, consultants, teacher textbooks, videos, and materials at a cost of $13 per student. 

Student Tutoring
AC provides support for after-school tutors.  We also hire UC Berkeley graduate students to read and correct AP English papers.

 ‘What’s Up With College’ Night
Now in its third year and open to all BHS students (and their parents), “What’s Up with College” provides information about college from the perspective of BHS Alum. This program allows students and parents to hear first-hand experiences from students enrolled in many different types of colleges.

Study Skills Workshop
The goal of the program is to teach good study habits to both the student and their families.  Now in its third year, over 120 students take advantage of the program. Tuition is fully subsidized by AC at a cost of $10 per student.

Community Building Events
AC works well because we are a community of committed parents, students and teachers. To provide continued community strength building, AC sponsors the Freshman & Sophomore Potlucks (each fall after school begins to share a meal and gathering with core teachers and parents) and the Summer AC Family Picnic (bringing parents and students together at the beginning of the year).

AC Course Materials
AC supports our teachers with materials critical to the success of their job.  These materials are provided at a cost of roughly $2.25 per student. Examples include:

Teaching Teachers
AC teachers attend day-long seminars that provide ongoing training to help them teach better in a diversified classroom.

Mobile Apple Computer Lab – To Be Funded
Currently, we have one lab of 30 mobile computers to use between 2,300 IB and AC students.  With a $37,000 investment, we plan to provide another computer lab to all AC English and History classes. Initial cost per student is only ~ $16. Amortized over the 5 year life expectancy of the lab, the cost per student is only ~ $3.25.