Smaller Learning Communities
What are smaller learning communities?
CCISD is committed to providing an education of excellence that meets each student's interests, abilities, and needs within a common curricular framework, and that challenges each student to develop intellectual independence, creativity, and curiosity.
- All students at Brook, Creek, Lake and Springs are members of a smaller learning community (SLC). SLCs are groups of about 600 students and 40 adults, organized around student interest or freshman teams. The SLCs in CCISD make up an innovative educational system designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
- The personalized environment provides a structure to identify and respond to the needs of every student effectively and efficiently. Students are part of a safe environment where they can develop a sense of responsibility and self-reliance.
SLCs and Post-secondary Preparation
- Like traditional programs, SLCs prepare students for admission to post-secondary institutions. More importantly, this system will prepare students to complete their post-secondary goals with strong academic credentials that reflect CCISD's vision successfully.
- The program design raises the academic bar and encourages Advanced Placement (AP) participation, adds relevancy to curricula, and inspires students to apply and integrate knowledge by completing projects and work experiences.
- Smaller Learning Communities help empower students by maximizing individual strengths, accommodating their personal needs, and preparing them, both academically and socially, for the future. Within each SLC, courses provide students with a comprehensive program for their entire school experience.
How are students placed in SLCs?
- Creek and Lake freshman are randomly placed in academic teams when they register for ninth grade classes.
- Incoming freshmen at Brook and Springs choose a SLC in a similar manner to the Creek and Lake outgoing freshmen. Students participate in interest surveys to determine their major interest category and then choose the SLC they wish to belong to for the upcoming school year.
- Students may choose the SLC they wish to belong to for the upcoming school year. Students may choose a SLC from the following areas: Arts, Business, Communication and Law, Engineering, and Health/Medical Science.
- Although students may take any courses offered on their campus, they have a home base with SLC students and staff who share common interests. CCISD also chooses to follow a looping advisory model to ensure every student is well known by at least one adult on the campus.
- This adult should know the academic, emotional, and social status of the student and be able to assist them with tutoring support, course registration assistance, and post-secondary planning.