Common use of High Expectations and Rigor Clause in Contracts

High Expectations and Rigor. The school will be focused on 21st century learning and critical thinking skills, as well as Common Core-alignment. Personalized learning does not effectively benefit students if students are working with content that is below their capacity. The quality and rigor of student work is framed by competency- based standards planning and challenging learning objectives and assessments. Additionally, students will be prepared for a post-secondary education through dual credit courses taken during high school and the alignment of curriculum with Common Core standards.  Personalization. The school’s instructional model is built on the belief that each student brings unique strengths and challenges to their learning experience and must be supported accordingly. Personalized learning includes working in adaptive online learning programs, working toward informed post-secondary goals and utilizing flexible time at the secondary level for self-directed learning. Pathways will be available for students to pursue professional technical careers, careers for which traditional college is necessary, or a combination whereby students obtain technical certificates, which allow a student to self-fund their college education. The path of learning will look different for each student, as it will be tailored to his or her needs. In the K-6 model, students will be using a blended learning rotation model, and the 7- 12 model will use a flexible blended learning model. Differentiated instruction will occur at these pathways—online adaptive instruction, as well as elective courses. Teachers will also do targeted small group instruction as a form of intervention and acceleration.  Data. Gem Prep: Meridian will be grounded in the importance of using data to drive instruction. The school will use formative assessment and other data to continually adjust instruction and necessary interventions.  Innovation. Very much related to the above, the importance of continual improvement and innovation will be a focus for Gem Prep: Meridian. The organization will constantly review performance data and make adjustments to the school model as necessary. The program at Gem Prep: Meridian is a hybrid model, with blended learning at all levels. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Institute defines blended learning as: “a formal education program in which a student learns: 1) at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, path and/or pace 2) at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home 3) and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. 5

High Expectations and Rigor. The school will be focused on 21st century learning and critical thinking skills, as well as Common Core-alignment. Students will be prepared for a post-secondary education through dual credit courses taken during high school and the alignment of curriculum with Common Core standards. Personalized learning does not effectively benefit students if students are working with content that is below their capacity. The quality and rigor of student work is framed by competency- competency-based standards planning and challenging learning objectives and assessments. Additionally, students will be prepared for a post-secondary education through dual credit courses taken during high school and the alignment of curriculum with Common Core standards.  • Personalization. The school’s instructional model is built on the belief that each student brings unique strengths and challenges to their learning experience and must be supported accordingly. Personalized learning includes working in adaptive online learning programs, working toward informed post-secondary goals and utilizing flexible time at the secondary level for self-directed learning. Pathways will be available for students to pursue professional technical careers, careers for which traditional college is necessary, or a combination whereby students obtain technical certificates, which allow a student to self-fund their college education. The path of learning will look different for each student, as it will be tailored to his or her needs. In the K-6 model, students will be using a blended learning rotation model, and the 7- 7-12 model will use a flexible blended college prep learning model. Differentiated instruction will occur at these pathways—online adaptive instruction, as well as elective courses. Teachers will also do targeted small group instruction as a form of intervention and acceleration.  • Data. Gem Prep: Meridian Prep will be grounded in the importance of using data to drive instruction. The school will use formative assessment and other data to continually adjust instruction and necessary interventions.  • Innovation. Very much related to the above, the importance of continual improvement and innovation will be a focus for Gem Prep: Meridian. The organization will constantly review performance data and make adjustments to the school model as necessary. As with most innovation, Gem Prep realizes that adjustments and improvements are often necessary as these ideas are tested and put into practice in real-world settings. Gem Prep is committed to evaluating the academic impact of its instructional model and making any necessary adjustments in order to meet all academic goals. The program School is committed to vigilance in ongoing assessments, evaluations and adjustments to facilitate successful student outcomes. The elementary school model (Grades K-6) at Gem PrepPrep (GP) is built around the following practices: Meridian is a hybrid model, with blended learning at all levels. The • ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Institute defines blended , deeply supported learning. Students are engaged in highly interactive learning as: “environments designed to challenge each student at their comprehension level. This rigorous learning environment necessitates a formal education program support structure to help students reach the high bar. • Data driven instruction. Teachers provide frequent formative assessments and are continually refining their instruction based on a careful review of student progress data. • Socio-emotional learning and support. Gem Prep weaves socio-emotional learning into all the student daily academic schedule. The school will participate in the Panorama Ed assessment, which measures socio-emotional health of students and staff. Gem Prep schools have been identified as an outlier on this survey, as they perform significantly above their peers. Panorama sent a student learns: 1) at least in part through online team to Gem Prep schools to study what makes the schools stand out so substantially. • Scaffolded independence and leadership. In the upper elementary grades, students have increased opportunities for student-centered learning, with some element of student control over timeteamwork, path and/or pace 2) at least and collaboration. Students grow in part in a supervised brickself-andawareness and self-mortar location away from home 3) and discipline as they prepare for their transition to the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience. 57th grade.