Biomedical Academy
The Biomedical Academy challenges students to take on the same problems as biomedical science professionals, such as teaching healthy lifestyle choices, designing prosthesis, and using DNA gel electrophoresis to solve a crime. Working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students engage in compelling, hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems. In this small learning community, students have opportunities for leadership and enhancing soft skills in an academically rigorous environment.
The Biomedical Academy Pathway is changing from a four year program to three year program beginning 2022-2023.
2022-2023 changes include:
Present 9th grade BA students in Principles of Biomedical Science do not need to reapply into the program for the 2022-2023 school year. They will continue with the BA for 10th grade unless a student wishes to disenroll from the program. Students who are NOT in the Biomedical Academy may apply, but will be waitlisted and accepted based upon the capacity.
Present 8th grade students interested in the Biomedical Academy can apply as 9th graders during the 2022-2023 school year. Application dates have yet to be determined.
The motives for changes include: 1) equitable access and 2) compliance
Regarding equitable access: Students should not have to take summer school and/or zero period in order to participate in a CTE pathway. With PGHS’s traditional schedule, the 4-year requirement in the Biomedical pathway made it such that a large amount of students had to take additional classes outside of the regular school day/school year in order to create room in their schedules to participate. This is an unnecessary barrier for those requiring bus transportation and for those who cannot participate in summer school.
Regarding compliance: Pathways are designed to be 3-year programs – introductory, concentrator, capstone. There are only three pathways in the entire district that are outliers and funded as 4-year programs directly through the California Department of Education. Over sixty other pathways are 3-year programs – all of which start in 10th grade. This also works much more efficiently with the master schedule – especially for a traditional school schedule – where students have more room in their schedules to fit the capstone course in 12th grade and ensure completion of the pathway.
Continued practice:
Continue with the smaller learning community model with Academy specific Advocacy specific teachers.
Continue aligning non-CTE courses (e.g., English, Science, Socials Science) curricula with Student Learning Outcomes across academic disciplines, which includes cross-curricular projects.
For 2021-2022 10th & 11th graders remain in BA and do not need to reapply for the 2022-2023 school year. Assume enrollment unless an academy drop form is completed.
The Biomedical Academy Pathway is changing from a four year program to three year program beginning 2022-2023.
2022-2023 changes include:
Present 9th grade BA students in Principles of Biomedical Science do not need to reapply into the program for the 2022-2023 school year. They will continue with the BA for 10th grade unless a student wishes to disenroll from the program. Students who are NOT in the Biomedical Academy may apply, but will be waitlisted and accepted based upon the capacity.
Present 8th grade students interested in the Biomedical Academy can apply as 9th graders during the 2022-2023 school year. Application dates have yet to be determined.
The motives for changes include: 1) equitable access and 2) compliance
Regarding equitable access: Students should not have to take summer school and/or zero period in order to participate in a CTE pathway. With PGHS’s traditional schedule, the 4-year requirement in the Biomedical pathway made it such that a large amount of students had to take additional classes outside of the regular school day/school year in order to create room in their schedules to participate. This is an unnecessary barrier for those requiring bus transportation and for those who cannot participate in summer school.
Regarding compliance: Pathways are designed to be 3-year programs – introductory, concentrator, capstone. There are only three pathways in the entire district that are outliers and funded as 4-year programs directly through the California Department of Education. Over sixty other pathways are 3-year programs – all of which start in 10th grade. This also works much more efficiently with the master schedule – especially for a traditional school schedule – where students have more room in their schedules to fit the capstone course in 12th grade and ensure completion of the pathway.
Continued practice:
Continue with the smaller learning community model with Academy specific Advocacy specific teachers.
Continue aligning non-CTE courses (e.g., English, Science, Socials Science) curricula with Student Learning Outcomes across academic disciplines, which includes cross-curricular projects.
For 2021-2022 10th & 11th graders remain in BA and do not need to reapply for the 2022-2023 school year. Assume enrollment unless an academy drop form is completed.
